Question about MC and skin boils

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kfortini
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Question about MC and skin boils

Post by kfortini »

Hi All,
I'm new to this board. Just diagnosed with MC. Can anyone tell me if they know of a connection between MC and skin boils? During my last bad episode I also had boils on the back of my head and neck. Sounds gross I know! Once the D calmed down, so did the boils. Weird huh? Any input would be great. Thank you!
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greengirl78
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Post by greengirl78 »

Welcome to the board kfortini!

I'm pretty new here, and newly diagnosed as well. I haven't heard of any correaltion between the two... however, now that you mention it, over the past six months when i was flaring I noticed I had the same issue a few times. It was very embarassing and gross... but I tried to cover them up with turtlenecks, and makeup.

Maybe someone else here who knows more than I may have more info.
If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace. - Thich Nhat Hahn
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mini
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Post by mini »

Hi kfortini :welcome:

I have not had boils as such but just when I believe this whole thing started after my first bout of the D I did have one large boil come up on my bottom, apart from that no other ideas. However, if your body is quite run down boils can sometimes present themselves.

Anyway once again welcome to the forum, great place with really nice people and always someone to answer your questions.

Kind wishes :smile:
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi, and welcome to the board. Yes, there are various skin issues that seem to be connected with MC. Mouth sores are also common, as are chronic sinus problems, and various other autoimmune issues. Many of us have experienced various types of skin problems at one time or another before we managed to gain control over our symptoms.

This may be connected with a sensitivity to gluten, since many celiacs develop dermatitis herpetiformis, (DH), which presents with a chronic itchy rash of bumps and blisters on the skin. Usually, they disappear when gluten is completely withdrawn from the diet.

When I was reacting, boils often appeared at various places on my body, usually on my chest, neck, or thighs, but occasionally other places. The ones that occasionally showed up on my butt were probably the most aggravating. LOL. I haven't noticed any though, since I've been in remission. Thinking back, I had a few of them now and them, for a number of years before my other symptoms started, so maybe that was a signal that I was already gluten sensitive back then, but just hadn't accrued enough gut damage for the D to begin.

Again, welcome to the group.

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kfortini
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Post by kfortini »

Thanks for the nice welcome and your responses!
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Trace
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Post by Trace »

Yes! Now it makes sense to me!! I have had them in my ear, behind my ear, and on my neck! Interestingly, when I get them, my symptoms flare up, and I gain weight. I can't figure that part out, since I really eat a whole lot less than normal... But the boils! It's all making sense to me now! I got one last week, and it's gone now, but the area is still pretty sensitive.
I also can count on two painful eczema patches that pop out at when the boils do. One is on my shin..conveniently where the razor just glides right over it! And the second is around my mouth...But, after reading what Tex wrote about DH, I wonder if it might be that ?
But, I never got boils until 1/2003, and that also coincided with my first big whole body episode (fever, D, vomiting, painful joints, migraine, etc) that lasted for more than 48 hours. Since then, they've all last longer than 48 hours.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Here are some images of what DH looks like. You can click on the little thumbnail images to see an enlargement.

http://dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/resu ... -577236584

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Trace
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Post by Trace »

Thanks Tex! Looks just like what I have on my shin and face. I guess I need to visit the dermatologist now, too!
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Trace
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Post by Trace »

Thanks Tex! That's exactly what my shin looks like. Guess I need to see the Dermatologist now, too!
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tex
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Post by tex »

I don't believe a dermatologist can "cure" it with any neds. To get rid of it, you have to cut gluten out of your diet, 100%.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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