UC effecting my skin

Had UC/Inactive Crohns since 2010, this year from January, skin has become irritated and become reactive to so many things. Had various emiolients and creams.Really getting down with it, foods and environmental factors seem to make it worse. Not on immunosuppressive drugs, on mebeverine, ranitidine, fexofenidin, calceuos, amitriptyline, lactulose, paracetomal. Don't understand the sudden change in illness. I am an Aux Nurse, feels like the ward temp and PPE, flares it up. Affecting my sleeping. So fed up with it.

Hmm.....I have a butterfly style rash on my face. I had attributed it to a reaction from mesalamine at first, but I quit that awhile ago and it's still present. I first began noticing it crop up when I worked in my studio close to my magnifying light or other hot situations, but now its becoming noticeable even upon waking.

Other rashes, too, that come and go. Over all my skin just seems more sensitive than it ever has in the last couple years (had UC symptoms non-stop for 18 months as well). Now my eyes are even sensitive!

The gift that keeps on giving, I guess....

Alice22 said...
I have eye issues too. I developed blepharitis a few years ago and now that's another thing to take care of on top of everything else. I've gotten a few horrible styes and I never had that problem before.

I just googled blepharitis and it really sounds like this could be my issue. I am going to schedule an eye exam on Monday. My eye doctor is a friend whose husband happens to have UC so hopefully she can shed some additional light on this topic, Alice.

My immune system is going bat crap insane right now.....UC, butterfly rash, sinusitis and now eyes. I am struggling to keep a sense of humor (this has never been a problem before). Chin up, Marjie !

I will make sure to update this thread with anything I find out, Alice. Whichever type this is has been causing very blurry vision....this happened over night, too.

Not just up close vision, but also my intermediate vision is affected (computer screen distance). There is also a lot of itchiness present on my eyelids and my sclera appears grayish, as opposed to white.

Thanks goodness for far vision or I couldn't drive and my no-line bifocals have been my saving grace. Never even worn them very often and got them 3 years ago.

I am thinking my face flush, eyes and sinus may be tied together somehow? immune system going haywire again, I guess. Or some sort of bacteria going nuts (again immune system I suppose, not combatting them as it should be?).

Agreed on the sense of humor, I plan to nurture that as often as possible!

Edit: grammar

Post Edited (MarjieKay) : 6/24/2017 10:53:28 AM (GMT-6)

Thank you for the additional insights, quincy. I'll see my optometrist next week about the eye issues I'm having and if she deems further investigation necessary will see the opthamalogist.

My eyes are definitely drier than normal, but not red....I will look into sjorgens, as well.

OP, do you have a constant facial flush or rosacea? aside from hydrocortisone I am not on any immune suppressing drugs either....

Hi Alice22,

She prescribed Olapatadine drops. I think she might have prescribed a steroid based one, but knows I am wondering if the rosacea may be med caused, so went with this. Also wetting drops and lid wipes.

When I was researching the demodex/blepharitis angle, I saw great things mentioned about tea tree oil. I believe a 50/50 mix with another oil like macadamia nut or something.

How long have you been dealing with your issue? what makes you suspect fungal?

In my case, we aren't sure about what's going on. My vision kind of changed over night. As soon as the inflammation is cleared up I am going to have a full exam. Like I said, she feels it's tied to whatever is causing the rosacea (or the rosacea itself). I have never had rosacea and have a brand new respect for those who do.


This is what it says about the Olapatadine drops drops:
Olopatadine eye drops work by blocking the histamine receptors in the eyes. This stops it causing inflammation and thus provides relief from the symptoms of the eye allergy.

Good luck, Alice!

Rosacea isn't caused by meds. Wish it was, for it would be a simple solution.
Its connection is usually autoimmune and familial.it also goes through progressive stages.

Definitely see a specialist .... rosacea can affect the eyes.

q

TroubledTurds said...
@ MarjieKay :

when did you start using the mesalamine and what form are you using ?

I am sorry, Turds, I didn't see your post until now. When the rosacea began I was using both oral and rectal. And this was about 3 months ago that I started using them.

I quit both, had blood tests run, was cleared of all lupus suspicions and told my kidney pain was most likely just dehydration (I had elevated bun creatine ratio, too). And also ketones in my urine. The person who saw me about results was indifferent.

So, now I am back to alternating the hydrocortisone and mesalamine enemas and NOT taking the oral stuff (Pentasa). I do have an RX for Uceris sitting here though. But at the moment I am seeing very good results and don't see the point. No blood, to my knowledge no mucus .....but the first BM is camouflaged w/ leftover enema.

I plan on testing the waters before my next colonoscopy on July 28th just so I can see what the truth is. Before even at 6 weeks if I skipped one I'd see M. And if I wait long enough the B returns.

I am really getting concerned though that the rosacea is a separate issue. But gosh, all those tests were totally negative!