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Has anyone developed half-penny size, extremely itchy rashes from ALA?

Posted by rocr @rocr, Oct 21, 2024

Thank you everyone for all your unselfish input and informative posts.
After I started taking ALA, a week later, I developed half-penny size, extremely itchy rashes, but only in the limbs that go away after a few days.

I am unable to look up the exact rashes online. Confirmed.

Shared files

ALA Rashes (ALA-Rashes.pdf)

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jchet | @jchet | Jun 8 7:29am

Try R-ALA. it is natural, not synthetic. I tried both and both made me extremely itchy….had to stop taking. (I also have SFPN.)

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1 reply
uget1shot | @uget1shot | Jun 8 12:41pm
In reply to @sungaltoo "There’s 2 kinds: 1) synthetic S-ALA which us usually labeled just as ALA 2) R-ALA which..." + (show)
@sungaltoo

There’s 2 kinds:
1) synthetic S-ALA which us usually labeled just as ALA
2) R-ALA which is derived from natural food and is more readily assimilated
Check your label. If it just says ALA then try the more expensive form of R-ALA.
You can also get a lower dose of it or take it less often to see if that helps with your allergy

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Thank you - I took the 'just ALA'. I'm not sure I want to try again since this was the second time, and worse than the first (it spread more), but I appreciate the distinction. My IH doc was surprised I would be allergic to ALA since it is naturally produced in our bodies and the type may explain why.

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uget1shot | @uget1shot | Jun 9 11:57am
In reply to @jchet "Try R-ALA. it is natural, not synthetic. I tried both and both made me extremely itchy….had..." + (show)
@jchet

Try R-ALA. it is natural, not synthetic. I tried both and both made me extremely itchy….had to stop taking. (I also have SFPN.)

Jump to this post

Interesting... I wonder if this kind of allergic reaction is somehow related to SFPN? I have visceral neuropathy in the same region of the body as the hives/welts from ALA. My doctor has said that it's highly unusual to be allergic to ALA since it's naturally occurring in the body. Now you've got me wanting to explore a potential rabbit hole.

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deanna2 | @deanna2 | Jun 10 12:17pm

When I developed horrible itching in spots over my body and limbs, I first suspected the shellfish in one of my supplements as some people are allergic to such, but quitting that made no difference. Then thankfully I saw the info here about ALA and suspected it as I had recently gone from long taking a serving of 225 mg a day with no problem to another brand with a serving size of 600 mg! Now after taking none for days, my itching is gone!
Do you think in a few more days I can safely go back to taking the lower dosage? I hope so as ALA has health benefits.
My profound thanks to the existence of Mayo Clinic Connect and its commenters for the information that gave me relief from that awful itching! Best wishes to all.

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