SCD diet - Rash - is it from die-off?

[ChronsMom]

My 12 year-old son was diagnosed with onset of Crohn's in early December. He was on Prednisone 40mg and tapered off. He has been off all meds since January 7 and has been on the SCD diet. He is responding great - no D, his sed rate, Heamoglobin etc. are back to normal and he has gained back all his lost weight. He is feeling "90% normal" in his words.

He has been getting small rashes(they look like goosebumps) on various parts of his body - it's not itchy and it goes away after a few days - I've just been applying lotion. He first had it on one shoulder, then on his thigh and now it's on the other thigh. I mentioned this to the doc and she said to put hydrocortisone cream - I do feel like it is somehow related to the diet. Is this what the "die-off" effect is??

 

[Crohns08]

Can you be more descriptive of the rashes?

 

[ChronsMom]

The area of the rash is about the size of my hand. There are lots of tiny bumps on the area which are raised it looks like a heat rash or like goose bumps. It's not itchy at all and subsides. A few days later a similar rash appears rlsewhere

 

[littlemissh]

Is it red or normal skin colour. If it is not red it could well be dry skin which could theoretically be diet related as his diet is very different now. Try and avoid using soap/bubble bath etc as this can cause similar rashes. Use of a simple moisturiser can help this also. Have you changed your washing powder recently?
Itchy red rashes are more likely to be allergy/eczematous etc and respond to hydrocortisone if mild.

 

[D Bergy]

Given that his overall health has improved, and assuming he is not being exposed to something he is sensitive to, I would just keep an eye on it for now.

Rashes come and go, and we often do not know the causes for them. It could be yeast die off, or some other pathogen. There are many possibilities, and hard to pin down.

I do know that many skin conditions in general, are related to our intestinal tract, and what is going on in it. For instance, I never had Psoriasis until I had Crohn's symptoms. I can treat the skin all I want, and it will not improve. I have tried everything.

Oddly enough my brother has the same problem, in the same place, but has no Crohn's symptoms. Both of us have had improvement by using probiotics. It is the only thing that has helped. That is a pretty big clue, as to the source of the problem.

I am guessing your sons will go away on its own, if it is die off, but if not, take a look at individual foods he is eating. Possibly something is not agreeing with him. Just keep in mind that it is often a gut related symptom.

You made a pretty big change, and one way I measure an effective treatment, is by it having an effect. The effect sometimes carries what would appear to be a negative response. It is hard to tell the difference sometimes. If it is actually a sign of improvement, it is temporary, and it will resolve itself. If it is actually a negative response, it will get worse, and worse with no resolution. You will know one way or another, given a little time.

Dan