feedandseed
Member
I have suffered from skin problems my whole life, and I finally narrowed down the triggers to certain allergens, (soy, gluten) but also a mysterious *other* trigger. I've just recently finally put 2 and 2 together and realized that my main trigger is foods containing either retinol/retinoids OR beta carotene. Retinoids trigger the reaction quickly while beta carotene triggers the reaction more slowly, which is in line with my understanding of how these foods are metabolized.
To describe the reaction, what I experience is "puffiness" in my skin and around my eyes (as if I'm either retaining more water intracellularly, or there is an increase in collagen; I'm not sure) followed by redness (rosacea-like) and then followed by aggressive and somewhat painful skin peeling. I realize that vitamin A is known to cause exfoliation anyway, but I'm not consuming massive supplemental amounts. When I am exposed to it, it's usually from carrots or some other kind of fruit/vegetable. I most certainly do not eat more than the average person.
I've considered this: https://raypeatforum.com/community/threads/study-vitamin-a-theory-of-vaccine-injury.39786/ because I was sadly vaccinated with all the usual shots as a child and suffered greatly as a result. There is one large persistent skin lesion I have had inside of my elbow since age 12, shortly after I received some common vaccination. (I don't recall which but I could find out if anyone is curious) I fell incredibly ill with a >100 fever the afternoon after I received the shot. My health declined considerably in the years following.
Also of note is that I used to be prescribed massive doses of vitamin A by a quack "naturopath," (also fish oil, PUFA supplements, various estrogenic herbal bull****) and suffered through the peeling and eczema thinking it was some kind of candida nonsense. When I stopped I felt better. I've considered the possibility that this may have exacerbated a liver issue with retinoid processing/clearance.
Per these, some kind of liver damage or enzymatic issue impairing my clearance or metabolism of vitamin A is my main hypothesis. I experience no deficiency symptoms of any kind when I avoid vitamin A entirely, leading me to believe it is built up in my tissue already.
I recently started using iodized salt per recommendation and I expected this to improve my tolerance of vitamin A but I have had a carrot-mediated reaction since introducing the iodine and it's hard to say if the severity was lessened.
One other thing I've considered is the possibility of Vitamin D deficiency (though I get enough sun, I think) or possibly dysfunction at the level of the vitamin D receptor? Either caused by some low-grade infection interfering or maybe even upregulated androgen receptors? (Pre-peat I used a lot of carnitine for this express purpose)
With all that said, it is very possible that I am missing something more obvious or fundamental. (I was iodine deficient for months without ever considering the possibility. Lol)
Any input greatly appreciated :)
To describe the reaction, what I experience is "puffiness" in my skin and around my eyes (as if I'm either retaining more water intracellularly, or there is an increase in collagen; I'm not sure) followed by redness (rosacea-like) and then followed by aggressive and somewhat painful skin peeling. I realize that vitamin A is known to cause exfoliation anyway, but I'm not consuming massive supplemental amounts. When I am exposed to it, it's usually from carrots or some other kind of fruit/vegetable. I most certainly do not eat more than the average person.
I've considered this: https://raypeatforum.com/community/threads/study-vitamin-a-theory-of-vaccine-injury.39786/ because I was sadly vaccinated with all the usual shots as a child and suffered greatly as a result. There is one large persistent skin lesion I have had inside of my elbow since age 12, shortly after I received some common vaccination. (I don't recall which but I could find out if anyone is curious) I fell incredibly ill with a >100 fever the afternoon after I received the shot. My health declined considerably in the years following.
Also of note is that I used to be prescribed massive doses of vitamin A by a quack "naturopath," (also fish oil, PUFA supplements, various estrogenic herbal bull****) and suffered through the peeling and eczema thinking it was some kind of candida nonsense. When I stopped I felt better. I've considered the possibility that this may have exacerbated a liver issue with retinoid processing/clearance.
Per these, some kind of liver damage or enzymatic issue impairing my clearance or metabolism of vitamin A is my main hypothesis. I experience no deficiency symptoms of any kind when I avoid vitamin A entirely, leading me to believe it is built up in my tissue already.
I recently started using iodized salt per recommendation and I expected this to improve my tolerance of vitamin A but I have had a carrot-mediated reaction since introducing the iodine and it's hard to say if the severity was lessened.
One other thing I've considered is the possibility of Vitamin D deficiency (though I get enough sun, I think) or possibly dysfunction at the level of the vitamin D receptor? Either caused by some low-grade infection interfering or maybe even upregulated androgen receptors? (Pre-peat I used a lot of carnitine for this express purpose)
With all that said, it is very possible that I am missing something more obvious or fundamental. (I was iodine deficient for months without ever considering the possibility. Lol)
Any input greatly appreciated :)
