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COLITIS AND SKIN CONDITIONS

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/22/2018 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
I thought I would share this link to a survey taken on a great co,itis site
https://www.ihaveuc.com/survey-skin-problems-related-to-ulcerative-colitis/
Posted 1/22/2018 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting thanks for sharing. I see lots of posts on healingwell about skin conditions with UC, whether it is dry and itchy skin to rashes. Fairly common extra-intestinal-complication of having a UC.

Question 1: Have you ever experienced a skin related condition that you believe is related to you having UC and/or UC meds:
77.3% Yes
12.9% No
9.8%.. Unsure

Skin Conditions As Reported Within Survey:
22.2% Itchy Skin
20.1% Dry Skin
16.0% Other
12.9% Eczema
9.4%.. Psoriasis
8.0%.. Acne
5.0%.. open Wounds
Posted 1/23/2018 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
ugh yes. the eczema showed up about 2-3 years ago when I was having UC symptoms unknowingly (especially around my eyes -- I legit get little round eczema circles under my eyes, and then gung-ho flakiness on my eyelids, and crazy itchy wrists and ankles). And the hiiiives. The terrible, terrible chronic hiiiives. Those showed up this summer a few months before the D started. I thought it was just my skin going crazy now that I'm in my 30's, but nope.
Posted 1/23/2018 8:11 AM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed with severe Pancolitis since July-17. Severe drying of skin all over my body-thankfully not on face. So bad my son has started calling me alligator skin. No itchiness though, but forced to wear fully covered clothing to avoid embarrassment.
Posted 1/23/2018 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
It's a bad time of year for dry and itchy skin (winter here in the northern hemisphere). When it's cold the humidity drops and that usually equals dry itchy skin and other issues.

Some things to try:

As much as a really hot shower feels wonderful, it is kinda bad for drying out our skin. So turn the shower down from scalding to a more moderate temperature. And apply a non-scented moisturizer right after drying off.

I've found harsh soaps, body washes, shampoos etc can be problematic. As much as I like smelling like an Irish Spring, my skin is much happier with real mild products without the harsh chemicals and perfumes. I got products that are safe for those with skin issues (psorasis, eczema, etc.) after talking with my local pharmacist, and they've helped with dry skin and avoided contact-dermatitis (an allergic reaction to products on skin).
Posted 1/23/2018 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Many autoimmune skin issues arent directly related to UC or considered extraintestinal......but once systems are in motion, they love to party together regardless of relationship.

I suggest not blaming everything on UC....it's a convenient excuse for a doctor and should be diagnosed appropriately. All skin conditions should be treated with meds or topicals, etc.
And noted when they tend to flare. Lotions, change of fabric on skin, products, foods, fungus, bacteria, inflammatory response.....all can exacerbate skin conditions.

q
Posted 1/24/2018 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
I have seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp. Like clockwork it gets better and worse when my bowels get better and worse. It's mostly related to yeast, so I think that's the gut connection. When my scalp gets out of control I know I have a yeast problem, such as hidden sugar in something I've been eating. It gets better in the sunny weather because sunlight on the skin modulates the immune response. Nothing really stops it but UVB. In the summer once I have a full tan, my skin becomes flawless.

Apple cider vinegar rinses can temporarily help it by scaling back the yeast, but it always comes back within a week or so. Winter is really the worst time. I take vitamin D but I don't think there's any real substitute for the healing properties of sunlight.

IMO the connection between gut and skin is micro-flora.
Posted 1/24/2018 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
The allergist and the GI both think the chronic hives are related to the UC. The way it was sort of explained to me is that my body is that in addition to the inflammation in my colon, my body is probably having a wider out of whack immune response , which likely caused my temporary liver inflammation and now hives. They believe that if I can get the UC under control and in remission, the hives will likely go away. That being said, an elimination diet has found that wheat, peppers, and refined sugars are hive triggers and make my flare worse. Avoiding these things has helped a lot, but I still get the hives.

The eczema? eh, probably age. I forgot my meds yesterday and today I am paying with scratched raw feet and ankles. I just loaded up my legs with layers of cocoa oil, ceraVe, and aquaphor and put on old leggings and thick socks.
Posted 1/25/2018 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
As soon as I started taking prednisone I noticed my acne has worsened quite a bit. But even prior to that I noticed that my skin was easier to break out mainly in the forehead area. Forehead bumps or pimples are actually a symptom of digestion issues.
Posted 1/25/2018 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Remember, prednisone is a hormone. Pred can drive some awful hormonal-acne. I never had acne as a teenager growing up, however, on prednisone I had the worst acne breakouts I've had in my life (face, neck, shoulders).
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