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Posted 3/14/2016 8:24 PM (GMT -5)
I'm not sure if this is a coincidence but I recently started using a topical (for face) Vitamin C serum and my UC started acting up. Has anyone else had this happen--> topical skin product leading to a flare?

Thanks in advance.
Posted 3/14/2016 8:50 PM (GMT -5)
I use a topical vitamin C and for me it hasn't affected my UC either way. I wonder if a topical antibiotic would though??
Posted 3/15/2016 7:13 AM (GMT -5)
I've never noticed a difference with topical creams before, although I could see how a topical antibiotic may negatively affect you mildly. They do say vitamin C is like an antibiotic at high concentrations although this is extremely low concentration. Have you ever taken oral vitamin C before? Do you have a severe reaction to it? I only ask because I can generally take oral vitamin C without too many issues
Posted 3/15/2016 12:34 PM (GMT -5)
Never had that experience...and i would say it's more likely no than yes. Unless you are extremely sensitive to a product and it causes your body extreme sensitivity...to me other symptoms would happen before a flare

What meds are you currently using for UC?
q
Posted 3/15/2016 1:39 PM (GMT -5)
Coincidence is my vote, and it seems to be everyone else's as well.

Uc is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks the lining of your large intestine, which causes inflammation and the uc symptoms we all know and hate. A certain amount of inflammation has to be present for symptoms to really start manifesting/showing. So, a flare isn't due to a single day's event (like a skin cream ), rather simmering inflammation that's untreated and gradually builds until we begin seeing symptoms. So, I'd say a flare is months in coming and not a single day's.
Posted 3/15/2016 2:24 PM (GMT -5)
Yes...inflammation happens in increments, and many of us miss the symptoms until they reach our most obvious and what we're used to.

Mine now are excessive and continual gas, stomach pain, nausea, constipation type movements, thin stools and then rectal agony upon bms (which I call white-knucklers)...tenesmus.

q
Posted 3/15/2016 4:38 PM (GMT -5)
The only way you can check this out is to stop doing what you think is causing symptoms, give it a good rest say 30 days and then use it again and see if it happens again. I've had to do this countless times, lately with Colazal which was new to me (used generic for many years).

I tried Colazal 6 months ago and had symptoms of stomach and colon acting up so stopped it for 6 months. Tried it again last month and ended up with strong rash on chest, underarm and lower left arm. I suspected the Colazal since it was the only new thing and quit it for 2 weeks, tried it again and hello rash again along with colon symptoms and headaches (which I never get). Since I had a yearly appt with dermatologist they took a biopsy of rash and called to say it was likely chemical and probably the Rx med.

We can't answer whether it is topical Vitamin C doing this to you, your gut has to answer.
Posted 3/15/2016 7:11 PM (GMT -5)
Yes it is possible that a topical skin cream can cause a flare. There are many threads warning about different topicals that can aggravate Crohn's or UC. Here is one example:

stkitt said...
Do not use Clindamycin lotion if you have Crohn disease, antibiotic-associated colitis, or ulcerative colitis. Call your physician and explain the info included with the medication as he will most likely tell you not to use this lotion but perhaps will have another Rx for you to use.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=2164454
Posted 3/15/2016 7:37 PM (GMT -5)
I was prescribed a gel called ziana and it specifically said not to use if you have IBD on the prescribing information. I was pretty angry that the dermatologist gave it to me knowing I had IBD.
Posted 3/15/2016 9:12 PM (GMT -5)
YES! My FIRST flare started after a couple of days using clindamycin, topical antibiotic for acne. I've stated so before, and for those who doubt me, look up the ad for Onexton which specifically states that it may cause UC or Crohn's.
Posted 3/15/2016 10:12 PM (GMT -5)
antibiotic maybe, vit-c less likely
Posted 3/16/2016 6:23 AM (GMT -5)
Antibiotic skin creams are the only skin cream know to aggravate IBD symptoms. This is about a vit c cream.
Posted 3/16/2016 7:55 AM (GMT -5)
Thank you to each one of you who took the time to respond and give your insights, I truly appreciate it. That is interesting about topical antibiotics and causing UC flares, it makes me wonder if there could be a link to topical vit c.
Come to think of it, oral vitamin C tablets does give me diarrhea. Thanks for the idea, I am going to stop using it for a month and see if it makes a difference.

For now, my medications (and UC regimen) are: Asacol HD 800mg two pills 3x/day, Rowasa at night every night (when in remission only 2-3x/wk), and Canasa in mornings (when in remission will do Canasa at night the nights not doing Rowasa). And other stuff I do: VSL#3, fish oil, vit D, turmeric, generic Metamucil, and giving up coffee (only in flares which helped reduce the urgency).
Posted 3/17/2016 8:32 AM (GMT -5)
Update: not sure if this is a fluke but this is the second day of not using the vitamin c serum and symptoms are improved a bit.
Thanks again!
Posted 3/17/2016 5:27 PM (GMT -5)
How much, how long and how often are you using it?

Its normal for vitamin c taken orally to loosen stool or cause diarrhea if taken in doses subjective to cause diarrhea. I do increase it to help create a much softer and looser stool.

I wouldnt think it would cause that type of symptom from it being used topically on the face....

Have you considered any addition to food or other supplements taken orally?

q
Posted 3/17/2016 1:30 PM (GMT -5)
Quincy, I was using it for about 6 weeks. I totally agree it could be a fluke or that there were already the chain of events in my body leading to a full blown flair. The product did not contain anywhere on the packaging the concentration of vitamin c. I was using it to cover my face in the morning in hopes to prevent sun damage (what the product was indicated for). Things with my UC were a little shakey (increase frequency) around the time of use but they weren't consistently alarming. Within the six weeks of use my symptoms escalated to full on flare with all my typical symptoms ;(urg/freq./pain/lots of blood).

I haven't added anything new to my diet. But there is another possible interesting piece of information. This may not be relevant but recently I had an allergic dermatitis to something (hair color) and had formal allergy patch testing done and several things came back positive and borderline. Which makes me wonder what/if any connection there could be immunologically to the chemicals in products and their potential reactions in the skin and the immune response in IBD.

Also, several others brought up the potential to UC flares and topical antibiotics, which makes me wonder if any potential diarrheal causing substance applied to the skin would have the potential to cause systemic effects.

My hopes are to also put this out there in case someone else may be experiencing systemic effects/flare from a topical skin cream or serum and for them to know there could be a remote link or possibility.

It seems like with UC we are all having to play detective to figure out what in our diets and environments could be triggering or potentiating a flare.

Thank you all for 'listening'/reading. I really appreciate input and thoughts as it makes this horrid illness feel less isolating and confusing.
Posted 3/17/2016 4:21 PM (GMT -5)
Yeah, the game's always afoot!

Please remember that vitamin C, either oral and especially topical, causes extreme photosensitivity. So, it won't prevent sun damage...actually, it's the other way around if you are exposing yourself to the sun. I'd suggest you use it at night and not during the day, and wash it off in the morning.

While it's possible that some topical antibiotics can exacerbate a flare, the connection is usually because of the gastro/oral connection.

Yes, when the body's in overdrive, it's possible UC flares are around the corner..depending on how sensitive the reaction of that state is.
You are on medications for UC, which is good.

Have you been food tested as well as for environmental?

Hope some things get figured out...it's a crappy way to be (and I can relate on various levels).

have you had liver enzyme testing done as well?

q
Posted 3/21/2016 10:39 AM (GMT -5)
My first flare was within 24 hrs of starting Metrogel (Flagyl skin gel for rosacea).
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