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What Causes Reddish Flat Itchy Rashes On Arms And Neck?

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Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015
Question: I started taking Niacin, B-12 and Folic Acid. Have taken each maybe 2x a week each time I notice a red, flat, major itchy rash breaks out on my arms, neck, torso and face. So, so itchy but not welts or bites.
Each supplement is made by GNC and has some other ingredients in them, like brown rice powder and few other things.
Benadryl cream hardly works.
HELP!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Need to find the cause; meantime try pheniramine

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like to know that I am here to help. In my opinion, the allergic reaction is being caused either due to the niacin supplements of the vitamin B12 supplement. Although uncommon, it is due to either of them or some ingredients that are part of their preparation.

I would recommend you to stop taking the niacin for a week, and observe whether you are still experiencing the symptoms of an allergic reaction or not. If not, then the cause was clearly the niacin supplement; if they still appear then discontinue the vitamin B12 supplement and observe the same way.

Through this, we will be able to pin point the cause for your allergy. Once this is done, please discontinue which ever supplement is causing this for you and report to your doctor for a substitute.

For now, whenever the symptoms appear I would recommend visiting an ER (emergency room) or try another anti-histamine like pheniramine but with care. I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Reddish Flat Itchy Rashes On Arms And Neck?

Brief Answer: Need to find the cause; meantime try pheniramine Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like to know that I am here to help. In my opinion, the allergic reaction is being caused either due to the niacin supplements of the vitamin B12 supplement. Although uncommon, it is due to either of them or some ingredients that are part of their preparation. I would recommend you to stop taking the niacin for a week, and observe whether you are still experiencing the symptoms of an allergic reaction or not. If not, then the cause was clearly the niacin supplement; if they still appear then discontinue the vitamin B12 supplement and observe the same way. Through this, we will be able to pin point the cause for your allergy. Once this is done, please discontinue which ever supplement is causing this for you and report to your doctor for a substitute. For now, whenever the symptoms appear I would recommend visiting an ER (emergency room) or try another anti-histamine like pheniramine but with care. I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help. Best wishes.