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 1. Nutrition
 2. Nutrition Basics
 3. Vitamins and Supplements


WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF HIGH DOSES OF VITAMIN B-5?

By Andy Jackson

Our Editorial Process Meet Our Experts

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Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient responsible for
converting food into energy. Vitamin B5 occurs naturally in foods, such as
cauliflower, eggs and corn, and is also available in supplement form—either
alone or as part of a "B complex." There is no recommended daily allowance (RDA)
for vitamin B5, but the Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S. Institute of
Medicine suggests an adequate adult intake of between 5 and 7 mg per day.


DANGERS OF OVERDOSING

Because B5 is water-soluble, the body gets rid of any excess vitamin in the
urine, which makes it difficult to overdose. It is not impossible, however, and
one should be aware of the dangers of taking more than the suggested adequate
intake. Per the Linus Pauling Institute, anything upward of 10 g is considered a
high dose.

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DIGESTIVE AND GASTROINTESTINAL DANGERS

Both the National Institutes of Health and the Linus Pauling Institute warn that
large doses, 10 to 20 grams a day, may cause diarrhea. The National Institutes
of Health also speculate that large doses may cause nausea and heartburn.
Patients may also experience dehydration, either as a result of the diarrhea or
as a direct result of a B5 overdose.


SWELLING AND JOINT DANGERS

Large daily doses of B5 could result in edema, or fluid retention and swelling
in the tissues. The edema may be most noticeable in the ankles, wrists and face
but can occur anywhere in the body. The swollen areas may become itchy and
sensitive and one may notice poor blood circulation in the affected areas. Large
B5 doses may also cause joint pain, either as a result of the edema or as a
direct cause of B5 overdose.

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SYSTEMIC DANGERS

While B5 is responsible for converting food to energy, too much B5 may adversely
affect the body's ability to metabolize protein, according to Acu-Cell
Nutrition. High doses of vitamin B5 may trigger an increase in blood
triglycerides which could also lead to calcification in the arteries and blood
vessels. The vitamin may also have a direct effect on mood and Acu-Cell
Nutrition lists depression as a possible side effect of a vitamin B5 overdose.

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references

 * Acu-Cell Nutrition: DRI / RDA for B-Vitamins
 * Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center: Pantothenic Acid
 * National Institutes of Health Medline Plus: Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5),
   Dexpanthenol

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 1. Nutrition
 2. Nutrition Basics
 3. Vitamins and Supplements


HERE'S WHY VITAMIN B CAN CAUSE SIDE EFFECTS LIKE A RASH, HIVES AND FLUSHING

By Andra Picincu, CN, CPT Updated Nov 30, 2021 Medically Reviewed by Emily
Weber, MD

Our Editorial Process Meet Our Experts

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 * 
 * 
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Taking high amounts of the nutrient via supplements can cause a vitamin B
overdose skin rash.
Image Credit: Tirachard/iStock/GettyImages

B vitamins are an essential nutrient that help your body function at its best.
But in certain cases, you may experience side effects from taking a supplement,
like a vitamin B rash, hives or other skin-related symptoms.

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This group of nutrients helps your body process energy and form red blood cells,
according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). These are the
different varieties of the vitamin:

 * B1 (thiamine)
 * B2 (riboflavin)
 * B3 (niacin)
 * B5 (pantothenic acid)
 * B6
 * B7 (biotin)
 * B12
 * Folic acid

Food is the best way to get the nutrient. Per the NLM, good sources of vitamin B
include:

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 * Fish like salmon
 * Poultry like chicken and turkey
 * Meat like beef or lean pork chops
 * Leafy greens like spinach
 * Legumes like beans, peas and lentils

Still, many people bolster their vitamin B intake by popping a supplement. But
sometimes supplements can cause adverse reactions, the symptoms of which can
include the aforementioned skin issues.

If that sounds all too familiar, here are the reasons why you may have a vitamin
B rash, plus what to do about it.

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TIP

Dietary supplements and injections contain large doses of B vitamins, which may
increase the risk of side effects and allergic reactions. That's why it's
important to remember the FDA does not require supplements to be proven safe or
effective before they are sold, so there’s no guarantee that any supplement you
take is safe, contains the ingredients it says it does or produces the effects
it claims.


YOU TOOK TOO MUCH VITAMIN B

While vitamin B is an important nutrient for your blood cell health and overall
functioning, too much of it can can lead to side effects like — you guessed it —
skin problems. Here are possible culprits:


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1. VITAMIN B6

Too much vitamin B6 may cause severe skin lesions, along with other symptoms
like numbness, digestive issues and poor muscle control, according to the Mayo
Clinic.

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It's important to note that these overdoses are typically the result of taking
high doses of a supplement, per the Mayo Clinic. Getting vitamin B from food
alone is unlikely to result in symptoms.


2. NIACIN

High-dose niacin supplements can also cause skin-related side effects. This may
be the case, for instance, if you take a prescription supplement to help manage
high cholesterol, as these pills can come in doses higher than the daily
recommended intake of 14 to 16 milligrams, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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A common symptom of excess niacin is extreme facial flushing, per the Mayo
Clinic — a side effect known as a "niacin flush."

Getting too much niacin can cause additional side effects, including:

 * Rapid heartbeat
 * Itching
 * Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
 * Gout
 * Liver damage

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Fix it: Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements so you can get a
formula that meets your individual needs and has minimal or no side effects.

But if you've already taken a supplement and have symptoms of a vitamin B
overdose, stop taking the supplement and talk to your doctor, per the Mayo
Clinic. From there, they can help you determine the best dose (and sources) of
vitamin B for you.

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Signs You're Not Getting Enough Vitamin B

On the flip side, not getting enough of the nutrient may cause skin problems in
rare cases — like if you have a biotin deficiency, per the Mayo Clinic. Besides
a skin rash, other symptoms of a lack of biotin may include:

 * Loss of hair
 * High cholesterol
 * Heart problems


YOU HAVE A VITAMIN B ALLERGY

While vitamin B allergies aren't common, it's still possible to have a reaction
to the nutrient if your immune system mistakenly identifies it as harmful and
attacks, which can lead to symptoms like rashes, swelling, itching or hives
(raised, red welts), according to the Mayo Clinic.

Here are some types of B vitamins that may produce allergic responses:

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1. VITAMIN B12

If you notice a skin rash along with other symptoms after taking a vitamin B
supplement, an allergy may be to blame. Although rare, a May 2018 report in
Cureus found that someone had an allergic reaction to vitamin B12 injections,
with symptoms like itchy skin and hives.

Indeed, vitamin B12 can cause a rash if you have an allergy. According to Cureus
, the other B vitamin allergy symptoms this person experienced included:

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 * Swelling of the tongue
 * Trouble breathing
 * Stomach pain
 * Bloating

However, it's important to note that this research only recorded an allergic
response in one person. Additionally, the same person didn't experience any side
effects after taking oral vitamin B12 instead of the shots, which may be because
injectable vitamin B12 can contain impurities and preservatives with allergenic
potential, per the Cureus research.

The takeaway? More research is needed to better understand vitamin B allergy
rashes and B complex allergy symptoms in general.


2. BIOTIN

Biotin — aka vitamin B7 — may also produce an allergic response (like biotin
hives) in rare cases. This nutrient is often added to hair growth supplements
and topical solutions, and is marketed for its ability to strengthen your hair
and nails, according to the University of Michigan Health.

But if you're allergic to it, biotin can cause side effects, per the University
of Michigan Health. These may include:

 * Hives
 * Mild skin rash
 * Facial swelling
 * Gastrointestinal issues like upset stomach or diarrhea

Fix it: If you have an allergic reaction to any type of vitamin B supplement,
stop using it and talk to your doctor about how to proceed.

WARNING

It's possible to have an extreme allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, where
your throat closes up and makes it difficult to breathe, per the Mayo Clinic.
Get medical care immediately if this happens to you.

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references

 * Mayo Clinic: "Vitamin B6"
 * Cureus: "Anaphylactic Reaction to Cyanocobalamin: A Case Report"
 * University of Michigan Health: "Biotin (Oral)"
 * U.S. National Library of Medicine: "B Vitamins"
 * Mayo Clinic: "Biotin (Oral Route)"
 * FDA: “FDA 101: Dietary Supplements”
 * Mayo Clinic: "Anaphylaxis"
 * Mayo Clinic: "Niacin"
 * Mayo Clinic: "Allergies"

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