Kelp Diet: A Cause of Acneiform Eruption

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Abstract
To the Editor.— The association of halogen salts and acneiform eruption is well known. However, the offending halide may be present in an unsuspected source. We report two patients who had worsening of preexisting acne or who developed an acneiform eruption while on a health-food diet that required the ingestion of a large number of kelp tablets. Kelp or brown seaweed contains large amounts of iodide and can be purchased compressed in tablet form; each tablet contains 15 mg of iodine. Both patients' acneiform eruptions immediately improved, when the kelp was removed from the diets. Report of Cases.—Case 1.— A 24-year-old woman had been treated for moderately severe acne and had experienced a good response to orally administered erythromycin and topically applied benzoyl peroxide preparations, with almost complete clearing of her acne. Unexpectedly, her acne flared and exhibited a very inflammatory component. The exacerbation occurred after she began

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