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UC caused skin problems?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/24/2010 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I have two strange roundish areas on my cheek bones that are red, dry and have small bumps. They don't itch or bother me in any way other than when I look in the mirror or people ask me what is wrong with my face. They appeared after I returned from vacationing in Hawaii near the beginning of February. My GP thinks they are linked to my UC, but I have my doubts. She prescribed 1% cortisone, but after more than a week of using it, there has been little improvement. Now she has given me 2.5%, but I am haven't started using it yet.

The GI always asks if I have any skin problems so is this what he means? Has anyone else experienced skin problems like this related to UC?

I know this is a minor problem, but I haven't had any visible signs of UC other than weight loss.
Posted 3/24/2010 4:45 AM (GMT 0)

robray said...
or people ask me what is wrong with my face.

I used to get that a lot when I was in my early to mid-30s. I had two horrible inflammations on my face, one on my right cheek and the other on my chin. They were red patches with clear liquid underneath and boils on top. It was absolutely horrible!

Go to a dermatologist to get medicine. If the dermatologist prescribes antibiotics, then tell him/her you have UC and ask for one that is less hard on the colon. I was prescribed antibiotics. They messed up my colon and only kept the inflammation from growing.

I finally got rid of it by following these simple recommendations:

Keep the area as dry and cool as possible.

Wash your face only when it is dirty and then dry it with paper towels (they are disposable).

Change your pillow case every day. You don't want to sleep in the infectious germs that were deposited on your pillow case the night before.

Try to not let anything else touch your face.

It could be some sort of infection that is really, really, really hard to get rid of. Whatever it was, it loved a wet, hot climate. I got the infection/inflammation when I was overseas in Hong Kong/Taiwan. It had it for some five to ten years.
Posted 3/24/2010 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
I agree that you should go to a dermatologist to check things out rather than the GP,
There are some inflammations linked to the sun, infection, fungus, bacteria...etc. Best to know what's going on and to treat it effectively.

q
Posted 3/24/2010 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have mild Rosacea, which almost always becomes aggravated when I have a UC flare.  My dermatologist has noted similar correlations in other patients with UC or other inflammatory diseases.  (I also notice my tongue and gums get irritated.)

Based on your short description of symptoms, might be Rosacea?  Have a derm. diagnose as cortisone is NOT an appropriate treatment for it.

(Unfortunately, one of the stock treatments for it is low level antibiotics...no good for us UC sufferers.)

Good luck!

Posted 3/24/2010 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
At the onset of my UC I was experiencing really bad cystic type acne on my face and infected hair follicles under my arms that was diagnosed as an uncontrolled staph infection. I don't know if it was because my immune system was already going whacky or if the staph infection, which was cleared up with two rounds of antibiotics, was the cause of the UC. Since I've been on immunosuppressants I have not experienced the acne. I now regularly use a sulfur based face cleanser, but don't know if the acne would return if I didn't use it. I've tried antibiotic creams for my face and low dose antibiotics, but have discontinued that with no noticeable difference. I agree about going to a dermatologist to find out what the cause may be. They may wish to culture the lesions to find out if a bacterial infection could be causing the problem. At least then you'll have a better idea of a cause/cure.
Posted 3/25/2010 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I have been using the 2.5% cortisone for 1.5 days and I really don't see any improvement. I think I am going to ask for a referral to a dermatologist. That was my initial thought when I went back for the second time, but my GP seems so certain that she knows what it is.

I have had UC for almost 20yrs now and I have never had any skin related issues.

My initial suspicion was some kind of infection from the old snorkel mask that I was using in Hawaii.

The worst part about this problem is the visibility of it. Another problem to add to the ever increasing list.
Posted 3/25/2010 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
You could try using an antifungal medication on it....if it improves, it's not eczema.

q
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