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red, burning sensation on face--mystery to me

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Posted 10/15/2007 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
OK I have had this problems for a long time and no doc has ever recognized it as an issue, or a side effect of a med, or a side effect of CD or other disease.  Can you help me???

My skin on my face feels like it is sunburned--only under the skin too.  It looks bright red and is hot to the touch.  This happens after noon usually.  It did not happen much during the big Pentasa vacation I took.  Had thought it was caffeine induced, but have been able to rule that out. 

Anyone know if this skin issue is part of the Pentasa (could not find it in the med info)?  Anyone else have this regularly?

Posted 10/15/2007 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Are you having any blood pressure issues? I have high blood pressure which is supposed to be controlled by meds. But once in awhile when I am not feeling good Crohns wise or have alot of stress, my face will get really hot (inside and out) and my face will get really red. And when that happens I know my blood pressure is up. Just a thought!
Posted 10/15/2007 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have that too, but it started after the remicade induced lupus.
Posted 10/16/2007 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
is it mainly on your cheeks? like maybe rosacea?
Posted 10/16/2007 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
The best thing you can do is go see a dermatologist or ask your GP for a referral to one. Skin issues are so difficlut to diagnose. I do think that you might be on to something since you say that you did not have this when you went off Pentasa. The salicylate type action of the drug could have something to do with this.
Posted 10/16/2007 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone....Gail my BP has been higher than ever since it skyrocketed 2 years ago with my gallbladder attacks. But, I had this before when I had low-normal BP too. I do notice that stress does increases it though---another good reason to get hold of those stressors.
Randy...I think I have rosacea from this...I developed a few little visible vessels after the worst of the burning.
You guys are right...time to get a dermy involved that can narrow this down....Have to wait until next year though as I have all my vacation days tied up with my GI appointments
Posted 10/16/2007 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
I tend to get flushed when my BP is really high. Not a good thing. Check your BP when you get up and if you are not having the skin thing, take your BP when you do. May be time for some good BP meds..
Posted 10/16/2007 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
I developed a rash on my face- at first we thought it was from the pred, but it got worse and hot with the remicade and I developed lupus-like syndrome. I'm off the remicade and started the humira, but still have several spots on my face. They don't get hot, but they itch. I hve an appointment with a dermatologist in early November.
Posted 10/17/2007 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
ok...it is so rare that i see any posts that so closely describe one of my DD's symptoms to (??) that i had to respond. what is even more interesting is that i am 98% sure that my DD's hot red cheeks are from a salicylate problem because once i eliminated those from her diet the cheeks didnt come back except when we started challenging foods. and i see that Ides mentioned a salicylate type reaction of the drug. perhaps like i think my DD is you are allergic/sensitive to salicylates?? she had other symptoms that went away upon elimination in case you are curious. These were eczema, cough-variant asthma, and agressive behaviour. good luck to you :) and let us know what you figure out.
Posted 10/17/2007 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
hi again...i just reread your post and you said that you get the cheeks in the afternoon. when do you take the med? my DD always woke up w perfect cheeks and it wasnt til later in the day after she had consumed salicylate containing foods that her cheeks would flare up. just a thought....take care.
Posted 10/17/2007 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Momandteacher....wow someone who understands this thing...I have had CD for a long time and have never had anyone else have the same thing before. I am really thinking it is the Pentasa after Ides remarks and your added experiences. I take my Pentasa after I get to work and around dinner. The funny thing was a comment from my husband last night cements the theory....after dinner he said "wait a minute, you were white as a ghost a minute ago now you are bright red". Of course this was a little after my evening dose of Pentasa. I started the burning today around noon and I took my morning dose about 8am.

I never thought of foods that contain the same item. What foods have you found as worst? I am wondering if caffeine containing drinks are in that group--it is not always the cause of the redness, but it does occur sometimes after caffeine. Maybe this is punishment for threatening my brother with salicylic acid from my childhood chemistry set when we were little!

I have concerns about eczema as my mother had a major problem with it and I have some respiratory issues. Most of the respiratory issues cleared up with increasing my iron/B12 intake---I was not getting enough oxygen due to the low iron counts.

I can't thank you (and everyone else) enough for the input on this. I hate not understanding something. If you ever need any answers, please post so I can return the favor!
Posted 10/17/2007 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
OMG...I just googled salicylate foods +food +salicylate) and found a few tables that gave ranges. Things that I found a burning face after eating are on the high content lists! I can't believe this may be the answer!!!!! I have my CD food diary from long ago. Now I am starting a salicylate diary
Posted 10/17/2007 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same problem. Red and really hot cheeks during the day. I got this without using any medication. Before I got dx. Sometimes only one cheek is red and hot. It stays there for an hour or two. Hm.....I am going to ask my doc for the BP, I have an appointment friday.

(I have only used prednisone and never pentasa or any other Crohns related medication).

Ingrid
Posted 10/17/2007 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Just your face? I have developed over the last six years a bright red rash on my neck that has spread to my chest. I only began dealing it this June because frankly it just wasn't a priority what with everythiing that has been going on.

Saw a dermatologist last week. He's leaning towards rosacea but also wants to rule out lupus.

This rash is definitely vascular in nature. It is worse when I exercise, during hot weather, if I am nervous, angry etc., if I have any sun exposure.
Posted 10/17/2007 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have gotten a few red bumps on my face and they burn and itch, it's from the Remicade.  Never had them in my life.
Posted 10/18/2007 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
HabsHockeyFan:

you are so very welcome!! i looked so long and hard for answers with my DD that if anyone else can benefit that is GREAT :-) good idea to google it there are lots of websites w charts. my DD avoids almost all fruits and certainly all additives/colourants etc. going low salicylate has been life-changing for us. msg or email me anytime if you want a list of my bookmarked sites or just ideas and support. PS...if you ever find out how to consume salicylates w out getting the reaction please let me know!! we are always hoping for an answer that will work so that DD can eat more foods.

belleenstein:

is your rash contstant? or intermittent? my DD gets a constant rash that spreads down her neck when she eats corn, plus the intermittent red hot cheeks. living 30+ years w crohns makes it likely that you could develop new allergies. in my experience you cant trust a derm to help you w that. they like to put creams on rashes and give meds w out looking for why the rash is there in the first place. lots of ppl w rosacea had it completely disappear with food eliminations. clearly allergies are the culprit in at least some ppl. good luck!

Skjura:

sometimes it is just one cheek w my DD too. my doc insisted that it could not be what she was eating. i did my own research and then viola...took out salicylates (and many other foods before that until we figured out what it was)...red cheeks gone! take care!
Posted 10/18/2007 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry me again. i am going to become known for double posting if i am not careful yeah

HabsHockeyFan:

i just reread ur post and found it interesting that i also have mild respiratory issues. i didnt even know i did until going on elimination diets w DD. i would have slight difficulty breathing at random times. i just thought i was naturally out of shape or had a reduced lung capacity compared w other ppl. now i only get it when i am eating 'off' the diet. good luck and keep us posted.
Posted 10/18/2007 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
bellenstein....my red skin does also seem worse in stress or any other extreme emotion, but that does not seem to start it. I do get the red chest and neck too, but I get that separately and that is definitely linked with anything that causes adrenaline rushes--even really serious laughter!
Let me know how your checks on rosacea and lupus go. I am interested if that may be part of this. I think the salicylate thing is a big part of the issue, but it seems something else may be playing a part.

momandteacher...I am finally going to ask for a dermy reccomendation at my next doc appt and will ask about the allergic reaction too. I'll let you know if anything comes up thats new.
Posted 10/18/2007 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
I've had this issue for a couple years now, and have been told (by my rheumy) that it's Rosacea (at the time I was worried about Lupus because of the Remicade). When I was on Prednisone it went away, and when I went off the steroids it came back with a fury. I had to use a ton of makeup to cover it up and any lotion makes it burn worse.

Since I started on the 6MP it seems to have lessened again. Haven't really looked into Rosacea, not sure what a description is, but my problem is definitely inflammatory and haven't had time to see any other specialists right now.

I think mine started when I was on the Remicade, but none of my doctors believe it or want to believe it.
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