Jun 30 2009
Treating Mononucleosis - Skin Rash
If you have a skin rash during a bout of Epstein Barr or mono, it is important to determine the cause of the rash. It is possible that the rash is a post viral rash or it can due to an allergy or intolerance to medication or food. Let’s have a look at the common causes for a skin rash when treating mononucleosis.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are of no use in treating viruses like Epstein Barr - the virus which causes mono. In fact using antibiotics like amoxicillin and ampicillin in mono patients may cause a measle-like rash.
Occasionally antibiotics may be prescribed when treating mononucleosis if a secondary bacterial infection like strep throat develops. In these cases it is worth getting a swab and culture done to confirm if you have developed a secondary infection. If you do test positive for a bacterial infection, then amoxicillin and ampicillin should be avoided.
Viral skin rash
A skin rash in the early, acute stage of mono can be a viral rash which normally resolves itself within a couple of days. This skin rash is commonly seen in children.
Allergy or intolerance to medication or foods
A more extensive and prolonged skin rash can be an allergic reaction or an intolerance to a medication or food that you have been taking. Many drugs can be hard for the body to metabolise. If liver function is impaired, as it often is with mono, the rash may be itchy, red and raised. It may be accompanied by nausea, poor appetite, headaches and malaise.
Natural remedies for a mono skin rash
If a skin reaction does appear when you are treating mononucleosis there are a few remedies you can try. Topically you can try some healing gels like paw paw ointment or aloe vera gel which can take the itch and redness out of the rash.
Exposing the skin to sunlight may enhance healing - just don’t get sun burnt. If using sunlight when treating mononucleosis it is advisable to test how your body reacts first for a few minutes. Although most of my patients find sunlight helpful, some individuals seem to get an adverse reaction to sun which can worsen their symptoms.
When treating mononucleosis patients with a skin reaction, I have found the nutrients vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc and the omega 3 fats can reduce the inflammation and discomfort. Anti-inflammatory foods in the diet like turmeric, ginger, garlic, deep sea fish, pineapple and paw paw are also excellent.
Doing some gentle liver cleansing with lemon juice in warm water on rising, plus plenty of fluids throughout the day is essential to flush the virus and toxins out of the body.
For more information on treating mononucleosis naturally with nutrients, herbs, a healthy diet, liver cleansing and lifestyle changes, then please refer to my e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures”.
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