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Psoriasis and Crohn's

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Posted 10/5/2009 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Folks:

I have had psoriasis as a child (maybe since I was 8-9 years old) and it used to be very bad (all over the body). However, with passage of time it's gotten a lot better with spots only at my ankles and knees. Then in March 2009, 36 years old, I got diagnosed with Crohn's colitis. Now, my doctor tells me that there is a connection between psoriasis and crohn's.

Just wanted to know if there are people in this board affected by both diseases and what are there experiences dealing with these diseases together.

Thanks.

Posted 10/5/2009 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! *I'm usually on the Uc forum*

Yes IBD'ers do have a tendancy of getting skin complications unfortunately. I have had psoriasis for over 25 years along my hairline. When it was at it's worse, it would go down my forehead and to my ears. Itchy itchy! I just dealt with it with over the counter creams and even though the creams would help take the itchiness and scaling down to a managable level, it never really went away. I started on 6mp almost 3 years ago (for my Uc) and it was probably the best thing I could've done for my psoriasis. I haven't seen hide nor hair of my psoriasis in almost 2 1/2 years. It's been great! :)
Posted 10/5/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, a study done in the UK on people with psoriatic arthritis (arthritis associated with psoriasis) found that all but one had a previously undiagnosed gut problem - Crohn's, UC or the like. It was a small study because they limited the group to people who had not had any medication that could cause intestinal problems. You might get some relief by using vitamin E both internally and applied directly to the skin.
Posted 10/6/2009 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I dont know about psoriasis but I have had skin problems all my life. Docs call it dermatitis. It was really bad on my legs and then I went on remicade and it was gone in a few months. I still have a few spots that come and go but in all not as bad as it was for years.
Posted 10/6/2009 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Had mine before Crohns too, has also went down to near ankles. Disappeared in noticable area with tar and being outside a lot in sun. Barely notice it now for past 6 years or so
Posted 10/7/2009 9:08 AM (GMT 0)
Red my psoriasis is in the exact same place at yours! And darn it can be hard to apply the steroid cream in your hairline!

Mine does respond well to OTC 1% steroid cream though, my meds don't seem to make it better but its manageable as it is, just annoying when its itching! And now its winter all the heating in buildings is making the itches soo much worse!

Posted 10/7/2009 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
LilcrohnieUK, I have found that an otc gel called Dermarest to be more effective then steroid creams. It contains 3% salicylic acid which is found in many acne medications btw. Dermarest also contains natural extracts and essential oils to help with the scaling. I assume you are in the UK? Maybe if they don't have this brand near you maybe you can find something similiar. I have to warn you though, if you find some sort of psoriasis gel that contains salicylic acid that it may sting like heck when you first apply - especially if the area is irritated. But I have tried so many other creams and gels and this is the only thing that helped to tame my psoriasis down to a tolerable level.
Posted 10/8/2009 10:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Red, yup I'm from the UK would have thought they may have something similar available here so will have a look into that!
Posted 10/11/2009 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
I've had psoriasis, sebborhea, dermatitis and eczema for years, and I also have crohn/s. On thing that has realy haped the psoriasis is bupropion (its an olff label use for it.) here are foaming creams here in the US too that really help.
Posted 10/12/2009 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I can tell you that both crohn's and psoriasis are both autoimmune disorders. You can have one auto immune disorder and then get another one, having one, does put one at risk for another.

Such as many who have cystic fibrosis have diabete
many who have asthma have eczema
many who have diabetes have thyroid or celiac isssues
one autoimmune disorder, unfortuantly can breed another- why it works that way, no one knows... but we've had type 1 diabetes in our family- my 2 sons for many years.
my oldest son is 20, has had type 1 since he was 2, had vitiligo since he was 1- also an auto immune disorder- now he and my youngest son are both being checked for celiac- also autoimmune
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