Rashes, painful lumps, and flushed skin can occur due to Crohn’s disease. Most Crohn’s disease rashes clear up as the symptoms of IBD ease, but during a flare, short-term remedies can provide relief.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, can become inflamed and cause symptoms.
However, Crohn’s disease does not just affect the digestive tract. Many people with Crohn’s disease experience symptoms outside the intestines, and skin disorders are relatively common. As such, people with Crohn’s disease may develop skin rashes.
This article explains the different types of rashes Crohn’s disease can cause. It also explains the appearance and possible location of each one, alongside information on how to treat them.
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation reports that up to 20% of people with IBD experience rashes.
Learn about other visual signs of Crohn’s disease.
The appearance of erythema nodosum often coincides with an IBD flare. It can also happen just before a flare, which may warn the person with Crohn’s disease of an upcoming flare-up.
Appearance and location
Erythema nodosum is a swelling under the skin that causes darker colored or red patches, particularly around the shins and ankles but sometimes on the arms.
These patches may be between
Treatment
While these bumps will usually clear up on their own within 3 to 8 weeks, home treatments can help relieve the symptoms.
Taking Crohn’s disease medication as a healthcare professional has prescribed may prevent flare-ups of erythema nodosum.
Raising the legs while resting to reduce the swelling and wrapping a cool, damp cloth around the area to reduce itching can help.
If the rash is severe, a healthcare professional may prescribe corticosteroids, such as prednisone.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Pyoderma gangrenosum can occur in people with IBD, but it is more common in people with ulcerative colitis than Crohn’s disease.
It is slightly more common in females. It also occurs more often in individuals between ages 20 and 50 years.
Appearance and location
Pyoderma gangrenosum usually appears around the ankles and shins. However, it can affect any part of the body.
Pyoderma gangrenosum may begin as small blisters. If the blisters join, they form a deep ulcer. This can happen rapidly, so a person who believes they have pyoderma gangrenosum should get medical treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment
Pyoderma gangrenosum may heal as a person treats other Crohn’s disease symptoms. However, the condition has the potential to rapidly progress so a person should contact their healthcare professional immediately if they notice symptoms.
If the condition does not improve quickly, a healthcare professional
Aphthous stomatitis, or canker sores, can affect people with Crohn’s disease. It
Appearance and location
Aphthous stomatitis appears as small, shallow mouth ulcers. They often appear on the sides or underside of the tongue or between the gums and lower lip. They may feel hard and hot to the touch.
Treatment
People with aphthous stomatitis may find that using a saline or antiseptic mouthwash helps treat the condition. They can also try using a softer bristled toothbrush.
Mouth ulcers that are less than 1 cm in size may heal within
Healthcare professionals may prescribe anesthetic or antiseptic creams for more severe cases of aphthous stomatitis. Steroids or laser therapy can help severe, persistent cases.
Skin tags are common among people with Crohn’s disease. They appear as small flaps of skin that may form after a swelling. These tags often occur due to fissures that cause inflammation, which are associated with Crohn’s disease.
Friction due to skin tags may cause irritation that can resemble a rash.
Appearance and location
Extra skin can thicken and form a flap anywhere on the body. However, skin tags most often occur near the anus in people with Crohn’s disease.
If skin tags occur around the anal area, fecal matter can become trapped and irritate the skin.
Treatment
Skin tags are harmless and do not require treatment unless they are causing a person significant discomfort.
Healthcare professionals may suggest avoiding surgical removal of perianal skin tags because they can damage or scar the anal sphincter.
Some less common rashes a person with Crohn’s disease may experience include:
- Sweet’s syndrome: Sweet’s syndrome causes sudden fever with red or darker colored skin patches, particularly on the upper body. The rash may be tender to the touch. Sweet’s syndrome is more common in females.
- Acrodermatitis enteropathica: This flaky rash usually appears on the face, hands, and feet. It can happen due to a lack of zinc. People with Crohn’s disease may experience vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as their digestive tract may not be able to absorb the required amounts. Healthcare professionals will usually stress the importance of nutrition to people with the condition and may suggest supplements.
- Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: This condition produces blisters around the feet, knees, elbows, and hands. People who have had Crohn’s disease for years may suddenly develop this rash.
- Skin cancer: Rates of skin cancer tend to be higher among people with IBD who are taking immunosuppressant medications than in the general population. It is important to use sunscreen regularly and get medical advice for any changes in the skin.
It is a good idea for individuals with IBD to get annual skin checks. For more information, talk with a healthcare professional.
In many cases, skin rashes are a direct symptom of Crohn’s disease itself. This may be due to the condition itself or medications prescribed to treat it.
However, other causes and triggers of rashes in Crohn’s disease include:
- Associated conditions: Conditions such as psoriasis or vitiligo may appear alongside Crohn’s disease and cause skin effects that
can appear as a rash. - Medication reactions: Healthcare professionals may prescribe medications such as anti-TNF drugs to people with Crohn’s disease. The drugs
can cause rashes that resemble eczema or psoriasis. - Nutritional deficiencies: Crohn’s disease can lead to malabsorption, which can cause vitamin deficiencies. For example, a zinc deficiency may cause red sores and pustules.
Learn about recognizing and managing Crohn’s disease flares.
Treatment for rashes will depend on their type and severity. Sometimes treating Crohn’s disease itself can clear up rashes, too.
A healthcare professional may recommend the following medical treatment:
- taking corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs
- taking antibiotics
- taking vitamin supplements
- discontinuing or changing doses of medication
- undergoing surgery
Learn more about Crohn’s disease treatment.
A Crohn’s disease flare can trigger rashes or skin disorders in as many as 1 in 5 individuals.
However, a person may wish to contact a healthcare professional if:
IBD resources
Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
It is relatively common for a person with Crohn’s disease to experience skin conditions, such as rashes.
Most Crohn’s disease rashes clear up on their own as flare-ups go into remission or because of continuing Crohn’s disease treatment.
Anyone who feels concerned about a skin rash they have developed should contact their healthcare professional.