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Ulcerative Colitis & Itchy Skin

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/26/2012 8:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I've had colitis flare-ups for around 20 years but with my current flare I've developed itchy patches of skin.

I'm taking Asacol which I always do in a flare. There have been no external changes to my situation and I'm following the same diet I did during my last flare-up 2 years ago, so I'm not sure why I've developed this particular symptom for this flare?

The itchy skin seems completely random! From the top: an area on the back of my head, my left ear, my chest, top of my back and an area in the centre halfway down my back, top of my right thigh, top of my left calf and my right ankle. It appears to itch at random times although during the night it seems worse (it's affecting my sleep 'pattern').

I don't have dry skin (although the skin has now become inflammed where I have been itching), and there appears to be no visual difference to the skin that itches and the skin that doesn't!

I prefer to try natural remedies first (some have suggested taking anti-histamine) as I think it's not a good idea to change the balance too much, especially during a flare-up.

Can anyone help? Has anyone had itchy skin, made a change and noticed a difference?

Thanks.
Posted 11/26/2012 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
I get random rashes that I have no idea what it's from. But just lately I went gluten free because I was having a major, deep seated itch (no rash) in my upper arms that it was driving me nuts. I had almost no sleep for 2 months and I felt like a zombie! Since being GF, the itchiness went away. I tried everything and nothing worked. What's your diet like?
Posted 11/26/2012 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
wavey,

This could be an extra-intestinal symptoms of your UC; some people get arthritis or joint pains, some get skin rashes, some get eye problems.

But I do agree with Red, doing some diet modification might help.

 

Posted 11/26/2012 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies.

I would be very happy if I could ease the itching with a diet change but it is like a minefield.

I am on a bland diet which was gluten free for a time but the itchness just stays. I have never had a problem with gluten or wheat although I have cut it out for a time out of sheer desperation. No changes though.

I thought it might be linked with tomato and tomato products such as ketchup as this can produce histamine but again I haven't noticed a difference when cutting them out.
Posted 11/26/2012 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Are you using Splenda as a sweetener? Sucralose can cause itchy scalp in some people.

You may also see if your itchy rashes end when your flare ends.
Posted 11/26/2012 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
i'm fortunate in that my itchies hit pretty quick, so it's not usually too hard to figure out the source i.e., which food is the culprit -

your body chemistry has probably changed do to the uc - you're more than likely more sensitive now to some things -

try some kind of elimination diet for a bit - i bet you'll find the source -

and if not, scratch like hell - it feels sooooo good !
Posted 11/26/2012 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
How long have you been on Asacol?
Posted 11/26/2012 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I don't touch sugar or sweeteners - I'm trying to stick to an anti-inflammatory diet.

I have a pretty bland diet as it is - the weird thing is, the itchy ear started a few days before the first sign of this flare-up. It makes me think the itchy skin could have been the catalyst for the UC?

I've taken Asacol since I first had UC 20 years ago - I don't mean continually, I just mean during flare-ups.

...and FYI, yes it feels good scratching the itch!! Sometimes I am telling myself to stop scratching but ignoring myself because it feels soooo good!
Posted 11/26/2012 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Are you using lotions or something to soothe the itch? Scratching does feel so good.

For the itchy ears, do you mean inside or on the outside?
For inside, I use peroxide on a q-tip..twirl it around a few times...ooooo, nice! and it's gone.
I do have eustachian issues, sinus rinsing with NeilMet squirt bottle has helped a lot.

Steroid cream on those spots will help you as well. Since it's not all over your entire body..the spots could be where your clothes are rubbing, even the tiniest amount, and cause some irritation.

Winter..my itchies are returning in spots. Lotions do help. I have a few I use after showering. Oh, and showering with hot water can exacerbate them as well..

q
Posted Yesterday 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Wavey,

I had the same problem not to long ago,  I was on mezavant (5asa) and my liver enzymes were extremely elevated and my skin was soooo itchy.

I  switched back to salofalk which I was on before for the last 17years and my skin is fine now.

Have you had bloodwork lately to see if it could be liver enzymes from the meds or disease itself.

ยป Mild to severe localized skin itching is another symptom which is quite common. Due to improper functioning of the liver, the toxins present in the body are no longer eliminated and they get accumulated in the skin and blood which gives a continuous itching sensation.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/elevated-liver-enzymes-symptoms.html

Posted Yesterday 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
When I am flaring, I tend to have issues with dry, itchy skin. I get it on my eyelids especially.
Posted Yesterday 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
I get rashes on my face that you cant see but are very itchy as well. My hands, neck and head also suffer from time to time. The flare probably triggered the rash, not the other way around. I get certain symptoms that I know mean Im in a flare before I see any blood or mucus or have any urgency/D/C. Im also trying a GF diet at the moment.
Posted Yesterday 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
My itchy skin was not visible either like a rash that  you can actually see.  After I itched the  skin in that spot the skin would be raised, you could actually see the scratch marks.

Definately get blood work done.

Posted Yesterday 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I tried a cream (E45) for itchy skin over the past 10 days but noticed no difference. Yesterday I bought some Aloe Vera soap and used in the shower last night instead, but it's too early to notice anything.

My ear itches on the outside and it's only my left ear!!! Bizarre! So much for stereo!

I've considered my clothes, sometimes I can feel them touching the itchy areas, especially if I start getting warm. I've started sleeping with my duvet below my chest because I think that is effecting me during the night.

You are right about showering in hot water as well, I try to let myself cool down afterwards by not putting any layers on or by laying on my bed. I'm pleased it's the winter as I think it could be twice as bad in summer.

Not sure what is meant by 'bloodwork'? I'm assuming blood tests - I'm going in this week to have 7 tests. On the appointment slip I've been given, it lists:

U & E Creatinine
Glucose
C-Reactive Protein
Liver Functions
Fasting Lipid Profile
FBC
TFT
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