Skin cracks in the private areas

[erinranea]

My daughter is 10 yrs old and was diagnosed at 8. She struggles with what I describe as skin cracks or fissures, but not in the typical area. She has one on her bottom area, but more in the crack area and then one in the front. Is there anything we can do to make these go away and prevent? She uses wipes to help with less wiping. Dr. Suggested it was from wiping. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[my little penguin]

Calmoseptine can help protect the area in the back
Not sure on the front
The dermo told us lots of fresh air to the skin at night is best for it to heal
Tagging Dancemom

 

[erinranea]

Thanks for your reply, I have been at a lost on what to do to help her. We tried prep H, but it hasn't helped. Do you apply once a day or more? How long before you have found it improves or goes away? This is my first time on this forum and posting. Was so nice to see a thread for parents of children with Crohn's.

 

[Maya142]

Are they painful? My daughter had a pretty bad fissure and sitz baths helped with both pain and keeping the area clean.

We used a zinc oxide barrier cream - Desitin or Aveeno (for babies).

 

[erinranea]

Yes, she does complain a bit about them hurting. It's so frustrating. Maya, how long and often have you found you have to apply the cream to see results?

 

[Maya142]

We did it daily for a couple weeks. My daughter had regular fissures though, so she was also given steroid suppositories (since there was quite a bit of bleeding). She used them for a grand total of 3 days and decided they were the worst (teenagers)! But the bleeding stopped within a day or two.

She does still have a bit of pain with BMs, but also stopped using the Desitin.

Have you asked your GI for advice?

 

[erinranea]

Yes, she recommended the prep h and/or doing an MRI, but my daughter can't get the barium down. My daughter has them often too or maybe the same one never goes away! Thanks for your response.

 

[Maya142]

There are some kids who have to use NG tubes to get the barium down for an MRE. I'm sure parents can give you tips. Can you do it at a Children's Hospital? Usually they will add some sort of flavoring.

However, I'm assuming this would be a pelvic MRI since they are on her bottom-- they usually would just use IV contrast for that, I think.

 

[erinranea]

I wish she could do it via IV. Dr says the only way it will work is if she drinks it.

 

[Maya142]

Let me tag some parents who might have tips -
my little penguin
Mehita
crohnsinct
DanceMom
Clash
Tesscorm

 

[DanceMom]

Have you had the area cultured? My daughter had a very rare group B strep infection on her bottom that caused sores/cracks. We treated with topical and oral antibiotics.

 

[my little penguin]

Actually it's both you have to drink the barium and have the contrast dye injected
Drinking there is breeza brand they use which also tastes bad
But they can put in an ng tube if they won't drink it all
Ds managed it

Plain barium we have added crystal light to make the taste a little better but generally we just have Ds kept sipping until it's done.

When you say she can't drink it does she vomit or just refuse to drink it
I have one non Ibd kiddo who probably wouldn't drink it
But my Ibd kid knows it's not an option it will go in
By mouth or by tube so that is his choice

 

[erinranea]

We did have area cultured about a year ago, it came back fine. Dr prescribed a antibiotic anyway, just in case. I'm starting to think it's just something she will have to deal with.
She was in a major flare when we attempted it for the first time. She just couldn't get it down in the time allowed. She tried it plain and witj crystal light. She gagged multiple times. Not really sure that it would help this issue anyway.

 

[DanceMom]

I would avoid any wipes because of perfumes and chemicals. I'd air the area as much as possible. Hydrocortisone may help.

 

[Maya142]

Could they do an ultrasound? Not as good as an MRI but it might give you some info.

I'd try an NG tube for the MRI if she can't/won't drink it. It's quite common to use one at a Children's hospital for little kids.

We use flushable wipes - Cottonelle - and have found them very helpful. Regular toilet paper was painful since she had diarrhea so often.

 

[my little penguin]

Cottonelle here as well
And my kiddo has super allergic skin

 

[DanceMom]

Cottonelle wipes do contain fragrance which can be irritating to cracked/blistered skin. Possibly an option for when you're out and about, but at home rinsing with water would be a good option. I suppose it depends on the severity of the issue....my daughter's skin was pretty bad.

 

[Jomar_uk]

Cottonelle wipes do contain fragrance which can be irritating to cracked/blistered skin. Possibly an option for when you're out and about, but at home rinsing with water would be a good option. I suppose it depends on the severity of the issue....my daughter's skin was pretty bad.

As a full time sitter (wheelchair user) I find conotrane very good, along with a vicair cushion I have had no "pressure sores". However the dry cracked skin does happen at times and I use conotrane which helps me & make sure at night air gets to my skin also that promotes healing for me.

Shalom & prayers, john

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

My son had an anal fissure, but although it is considered to be healed it is still very sensitive. It does make BM's more painful, and using TP also causes further irritation. We had trouble with the Cottonelle wipes, so my son uses unscented baby wipes (just don't flush them). He also uses a zinc cream as part of his daily routine (we like Penetin because it stays put, and doesn't migrate to the undies with body heat).

My son can also get cracks in the corners of his mouth, and is currently suffering from cracks behind his ears (although those are almost healed now). We have found that a zinc supplement, and applying olive oil topically works best for these areas. I don't know if these skin problems are same type of skin issues he has on his bottom, so I would definitely check with the doctor before considering putting olive oil anywhere near the genitals.

 

[Fifi1983]

My daughter is 10 yrs old and was diagnosed at 8. She struggles with what I describe as skin cracks or fissures, but not in the typical area. She has one on her bottom area, but more in the crack area and then one in the front. Is there anything we can do to make these go away and prevent? She uses wipes to help with less wiping. Dr. Suggested it was from wiping. Anyone else have this problem?

Ask your Dr about Diltiazim it helped me with my fissures.