EIMs in kids-which ones are indicative of a flare?

[CrohnsKidMom]

I have been perusing the EIM section on this forum as my 9 yo son is having some (minor?) issues which may be EIMs. I am confused by which EIMs indicate inflammation and which ones do not run concurrent with a flare. And I'm wondering how to know if they are even EIMs in the first place! Perhaps it's all too subjective to get the straightforward answer I'm hoping for. Dusty had posted an article which seemed to list them, but it seems to be unavailable now.

About a week ago my son developed a red patch on the white of one of his eyes. This may be allergy related, but I don't know. I commented recently on a thread about how my son has had peeling on the soles of his feet in the past, but no bumps on his toes. I spoke too soon-he gets out of the shower tonight and asks if we should put cream on these bumps on his toes. Sheesh! Then there's the peri oral rash he has under his nose, that won't go away dispute the prescription cream we've been using. He also seems to be having more frequent pain in his heels and ankles.

I am taking him in for his bimonthly bloodwork tomorrow. If the results are ok, should I assume that these things are just EIMs that do not indicate inflammation (or something else entirely), or should they be investigated further regardless?

 

[Maya142]

In M's case, her arthritis flares independently of her Crohn's (but sometimes they flare together). There are certain types of arthritis that do flare at the same time as Crohn's. CCFA has a pretty good explanation of the different types of arthritis: http://www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/arthritiscomplications.pdf

No idea about the skin stuff. My husband has had iritis in the past, and he had a painful, red eye that was very sensitive to light. His arthritis did not flare when he had iritis.

 

[DustyKat]

Try the link now CrohnsKidMom:

http://louisville.edu/medicine/departments/medicine/divisions/gimedicine/physician-resources/lectures/ibd/briley-extraintestinal-ibd-manifestations-6-2010

Dusty. xxx

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Thank you Maya and Dusty! These articles are very helpful, I really appreciate your help.

 

[Patricia56]

Any inflammation in the eye like you are describing warrants a visit to an opthamologist (eye MD not optometrist) to make sure it doesn't require treatment. sooner rather than later since he's had it awhile.

 

[Jenn]

There's a difference between a flare and uncontrolled IBD with EIMs, I think. It's subtle, but after my son has been well for a couple years and a had a flare recently, where he was fatigued with headaches and mouth sores, I knew he'd gotten unbalanced but only for a short while before he righted.

Check in with the GI. Routine bloodwork/fecal cal is key to see what's going on inside and hidden, My son has the red patch on his eye, even before dx, so I 2nd a check in with an opthamologist.