Skin conditions-what are they like?

Happy New Year everyone!

I have a question for the long term crohnies.  I've never had any skin conditions related to Crohns, but in the last few weeks, I've had a weird skin problem with my left upper thigh.   I will get this excrutiating burning feeling on a patch of skin, very suddenly.  After several days, the red, raised patch of skin turns brownish and dead skin falls off the affected area.   This has happened 3 times in the last few weeks. I also have a lot of little red bumps around the upper thigh.  

Is this anything related to Crohns and if so, what do you do for it?  

Thanks for this forum and for everyone's support!

EmmyT - Thanks for reply.  

Still calling all crohnies with skin conditions/side affects....has anyone experienced burning rashes on the upper thigh?   What are the 'skin conditions' associated with Crohns like?

Thanks!

Pyoderma Gangrenosum is rare but is getting more attention now Thank God .....

I have almost lost my fingers and a leg to this DD and the Pain is unbelievable

It is not bacterial it is autoimmune and nothing grows in a biopsy or swab..........
I am literally covered in SCARS from shoulder down to all my fingers and all over both legs.....It looks like I was in a fire .........

Erytha Nodosum ( sp) is another more common skin disorder........
I would have doc check it out if I were you
It took almost 10 yrs for my PG to be DX ........

Erin I am so sorry ...have a look in pics in MF.....my PG sores some are in there.........Luvs.....LYN.

Yes I have the little red bumps where the dead skin comes off. I spoke to my doc and he said that if they don't bother me don't bother them, unless I notice inflamation or puss, swelling or signs of infection. I have not had any of those symptoms, and they don't hurt at all.

R u on remicade? there are mild skin rashes associated with remicade, which my doc said might also b the culprit, especially since I'm prone to hair bumps on my legs.

I too have experienced erythmea nodosum, and it was the worst. It presented itself as raised nodules on my legs, got them when I was n college I couldn't walk or hardly lay a sheet on my legs they began to hurt so bad. I think the steroid pack made them go away and I haven't them since (knock on wood and he thank God)

I think, from what I've read now and seen pictures of on the net, that it's erythmea nodosum.   The pictures certainly look the same as what is on my thigh.   Fortunately, I have some old Lidoderm patches and I have to slap them on the burning spot when it hits.   After a few hours though, the burning stops and it's just sore, like a bad bruise.   The initial red raised patches are 4-5 inches in size, a bit irregular, and then they get smaller, turn yellowish brown, and then eventually the top layer of skin falls off.  So far, it hasn't left scars.   It feels exactly like a burn, except there's no watery blister involved.

pray4healing - I'm not on Remicade.  Did your EN feel like a sudden bad burn and then eventually kill the skin?  

Or for those with PG - does that burning hit real fast, out of nowhere?  It's so bizarre to be fine one minute and then feel like I just fried my upper thigh.  What is the treatment for PG?

I'm so sorry to hear about those suffering from PG - my thoughts are with you.

This forum always makes me feel stronger - just knowing there are people who have the same kinds of issues and that all in all, I'm very lucky.    And the advice far exceeds anything I've ever gotten from a doctor!

Thanks everyone for the replies! 

hi raf!
vitiligo...is that correct, it's where your skin is unpigmented? like splashed with bleach sort of? is that hereditary? have you had it all your life?
i've seen a few people with it but never had the opportunity to ask them about it.
best wishes.
erin

erin.K said...
hi raf!
vitiligo...is that correct, it's where your skin is unpigmented? like splashed with bleach sort of? is that hereditary? have you had it all your life?
i've seen a few people with it but never had the opportunity to ask them about it.
best wishes.
erin

Erin,

Yes, that is what vitiligo is...I have not had it all my life; I suppose the first time I noticed any depigmentation was maybe 10 years ago.  It has progressively gotten worse - hands, back, around the eyes....  No known cause or cure. It is an auto-immune disorder where your body decides the melanin in your skin is an invader & attacks it. It is tolerable, but as it worsens so will the reactions of people - tough on the self esteem as you might imagine.

 

To the best of my knowledge, there is noone in my family that has ever had vitiligo, or crohn's for that matter...wait, I had an aunt with IBD...don't know if it was CD or not.

dear raf,
if it is of any comfort to you, just a few hours ago...i saw on the news a young man w/ vitiligo all around his eyes & face & neck.
i may not be like most people...but i still thought "hey, that's a pretty darn attractive person!"
the insecurity that comes with it i can only think i can understand. people who see surfaces only are those who choose to do so, and are not worth your worry. their loss not yours.
i get some wicked looks from people too...i have some pyoderma G that's taken home on my shoulder...it was the main focus of most peoples eyes at a party i was at saturday nite.
i'd rather have had the focus on my shoes!
lol

Thanks for reply, pray4healing.   

I haven't seen the doctor since it started, but I have my usual appt. next Wednesday with my primary physician.   I still have one of the 'burn' marks - this third one has stuck around a whole lot longer than the first two did.   I've never been to a derm, but I've heard it can take YEARS to get appt's. with them....even worse than gastros!    

I am seeing a new gastro on 1/29, which I'm very excited about (only took 4 months to get an appt!).  I've had the same gastro for about 7 years now and his 'ho-hum' attitude has finally worn me out...time to move on and see if a new gastro has any better ideas besides 'go from 6 Asacol/Colazal per day to 12... or start Entocort and Flagyl again.......and then stop by in 6 months...'.

Thanks again for your info.  It was very helpful.