Crohn's and Skin Problems!!!

I've posted here about this a few times, but the problem is reaching new heights.

Anyone here develop eczema after being diagnosed with Crohn's? My arms are COVERED in dry, red patches, including two large red rings, and this has all appeared rather suddenly. My GI claims this could be connected with my Crohn's while my dermatologist says that is "impossibly rare."

I've had mild skin irritations correlated with Crohn's (ie. pops up right before my next remicade) however I just received my remicade a couple weeks ago. I am seeing my dermatologist on Friday but in the meantime I'm just frustrated. Especially as a college student with tons of sorority parties and formals, I cannot go out with my arms looking like this. Such a minor problem compared to the ailments of many here, but still frustrating none the less!

For those of you with eczema, how have you been treated?

Hi, I have psoriase i think is very much related to my Crohn's , the only thing that helps is going on holiday , sun and sea water. Good lucky!!

hmm... if there are red "rings" popping up.... you may also look into ring worm.

I have excema and rosceaca.

I developed excema a few months after stopping Remicade... my doctor doubted that there was a connection, but I think there could possibly be a connection there. I've never had excema before. I got a script for a topical steriod and the patches on my arms cleared up within a few weeks. I've also been having really, really dry skin and scar issues... Crohn's is weird.

Didn't have skin "issues" until the Crohn's diagnosis. Some Dr.s say fungal, some say psoriasis, seeing a new derm next week....Been dealing with the red ring thing & scaly patches all over my body for 2 years and I'm totally frustrated with just about every Rx creams, OTC remedies. Only thing that has helped me is a bath brush, castile soap, mineral oil laced with tea tree oil. AAAAAAARRRRGGGG!

I'd dispute that "Impossibly" small statement if I were you. Remind the guy there are 200 KNOWN complications of this DD!
After all these years almost nothing surprises me much anymore..


Just saying,
Matthew

FitzyK23 said...
My friends brother had a similar issue and going to a tanning booth for 10 minutes once/week kept it in check. I am not sure of his exact diagnosis though and if this would be right for you. As far as your formal events go, where fancy elegant gloves!! I love elbow length gloves and wore them for prom. And for regular parties, there are plenty of sexy long sleeve shirts. Just to you feel less self conscious.

Same here. I've had a rash that looks very similar to psoriasis on my chest and back for almost ten years now. The only thing that's ever made it go away (until prednisone) was periodic tanning sessions. I ended up stopping the tanning, though, cause the dermatologist said that the cure was worse than the disease. Prednisone made both rashes clear up (they came back almost immediately after I got off the pred), and now the Humira appears to be making progress on them as well. I also developed a new rash on my forehead about five years ago. I never had it diagnosed, but when it appeared and progressively got worse, my Crohn's symptoms got worse too. I think the Humira is starting to make it go away, too, so I'm hoping the Crohn's symptoms will start getting better as well.

Psoriasis is now listed as a possible effect of Remicade which might be your issue. I have had psoriasis for over 15 years, way before I was dx'd with crohn's. Remicade is now being used as a medication for people with severe psoraisis which is great for me becasue it clears up the spots that I have that won't go away. I would maybe check with a different dermatologist. GOOD LUCK!

There are so many skin problems and issues that are connected to CD.....On the other hand Ides is spot on as well you need to find someone that knows what they are talking about and that will help you with this

I know the sun did help with my Pyoderma last summer but because of the methotrexate I was really nauseous most of the time BUT MTX does help out for sure

Keep us posted

Matthew said...
I'd dispute that "Impossibly" small statement if I were you. Remind the guy there are 200 KNOWN complications of this DD!
After all these years almost nothing surprises me much anymore..


Just saying,
Matthew

Hmm, do you know where the list is of all the 200 known complications?  I think the most I have ever seen in one place is maybe in the neighborhood of 30 and I was like wow, that's a lot.  I had no idea there were so many others until you mentioned it.  I have all sorts of bizarre health problems and would love to check out that list to see how many of those things I have are probably from the crohn's.

EDIT:  As far as the original topic, I have eczema too, and the prednisone does help it get much better like other people have mentioned.  Other than that I have to scrub my skin a lot with a loofah and then put on aloe (anything else seems to infect my pores) right after the shower.  Scrubbing helps the aloe absorb and gets rid of the dead itchy skin for me.  I know some people get worse eczema from scrubbing but if you haven't ever tried loofah it might help your skin clear up after a few days if your skin is irritated due to dead skin blockage.

Post Edited (map lady) : 3/3/2008 12:31:23 PM (GMT-7)