Symptom 9: Skin Disorders
Crohn’s doesn’t stop at causing turmoil in the digestive system. In a curious twist, the skin, the body’s largest organ, often showcases the internal strife. Several skin conditions, ranging from red, painful bumps to ulcers, can accompany Crohn’s, revealing an intricate connection between gut health and skin health.
Erythema nodosum, characterized by tender red nodules typically on the shins, is one such condition linked to Crohn’s. Another is pyoderma gangrenosum, which starts as small sores but can quickly evolve into painful ulcers. The common thread? Both are believed to result from the same inflammatory response causing intestinal issues.
The exact reasoning behind Crohn’s patients developing skin issues remains shrouded in medical mystery. Still, the likely culprits are, again, the inflammatory agents. When the immune system goes awry, its effects aren’t localized; they ripple across the body. In this case, they manifest on the skin, causing a range of disorders. (9)
