Can Kratom Cause a Skin Rash?

If you’ve ever experienced an itchy rash showing up after taking kratom, you’re certainly not alone there. Some kratom users have posted online in places like Reddit, about experiencing an unexpected rash after using kratom—often in areas like the armpits, forehead, wrists, or even more sensitive spots. But is kratom really to blame here?

There’s no substantiated scientific proof that kratom itself can cause rashes, but just like with any plant, it is possible that some may have sensitivities or even mild allergic reactions. Some other factors—like contaminants, differences between trains, or even skin conditions unrelated to kratom—could also be at play.

So what’s really going on here? In this guide, we’ll break down some of the possible causes of kratom related skin rashes and ways you can possibly prevent or help to manage them.

What Might be Responsible for Kratom Rash?

Quite a few kratom users have reported developing a skin rash, which means it is quite possible that something in kratom may be triggering it for them. Although not extensively studied, we’ve come up with some potential causes of kratom-related rashes.

1. Frequent Usage of Kratom at High Doses

Some of the users who have complained of developing a rash after using kratom have used heavy doses of kratom. Using high doses of kratom frequently may lead to hormonal changes, and these changes may possibly manifest by affecting skin health. Also in rare cases, long-term use of kratom is linked to hyperpigmentation, and this can cause irregularities to your skin and also worsen skin conditions.

2. The Strain or Batch of Kratom You Are Taking

Did you just switch to another strain or start taking a new batch before noticing the rash? If the answer is yes, then you need to take a deeper look into it. Kratom strains are all from the same plant, but kratom has over 45 alkaloids and this composition can vary between different strains and color varieties.

3. Kratom Contamination

In case you don’t know, kratom leaves can be contaminated with heavy metals during harvesting and processing. It has been found that some heavy metals are the most common allergens that cause allergic skin rashes. This could be a possible reason you are experiencing a skin rash. This emphasizes the need to purchase kratom from reputable vendors who perform lab-testing and quality control.

4. Everyone Has Different Reactions (Allergies)

There’s a case of a kratom user who suffered from contact dermatitis after using kratom, and this is linked to a personal allergic reaction. The man mentioned that he bought kratom, and he and his friend consumed the same batch and strain. Nothing happened to his friend, but unfortunately for him, he broke out in a rash after just a few days. This goes to tell you that everyone reacts to kratom differently. Rashes and itchy skin are part of the symptoms of histamine buildup which is the body’s natural response to an allergen.

5. Other Things Could Be Responsible for Your Rash

While kratom is certainly a potential culprit of causing a skin rash, you should also look at other potential causes. Things such as stress and fungal and bacterial infections, could also be potential causes of a rash. While unlikely, it could be a coincidence, and if you experience a rash after stopping kratom, you should investigate other potential causes with a healthcare professional.

Possible Ways to Manage or Reduce A Kratom-Caused Rash

Assuming kratom is actually responsible for your recent skin rash, there are a few things you can do.

1. Take a Break

If frequent use of kratom is responsible for your rash outbreak, then you should take a break from kratom. Frequent breaks are recommended for kratom anyway, to reduce tolerance and habit formation risk. Take a long break, then starting again after a week or so, and at a lower dosage to see if the kratom rash resolves.

2. Reduce Your Dose

Try to reduce your dosage to see if that could be the solution to kratom-related rash. If the rash continues, you may have to stop using kratom altogether.

3. Switch Strains

If you started noticing the rash after purchasing a particular strain, you may want to discontinue the strain and see if there’d be any improvement. For some people, a particular strain or batch may be the potential cause of their skin rash.

4. Always Purchase Your Kratom From Trusted Suppliers

Always buy from vendors with lab-tested products that have clearly-outline quality control procedures. Contaminated or low quality kratom could be a potential culprit of the skin rask.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The content below has not been medically reviewed and is not intended to offer advice for use or intended use. For more information about kratom and its potential dangers, please visit the fda.gov site.