Crohn’s Disease Face Swelling & Rashes | Causes & Care

livewell
February 24, 2025
Noah Bennett

Crohn’s disease refers to a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the bowel and is known to have gastrointestinal and systemic effects. Extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn’s disease include skin problems such as swelling of the face and rashes, which in and of themselves can be bothersome and impair both comfort and self-esteem.

For those living with Crohn’s disease face, it is important to understand the underlying causes of these lesions and how to treat them. So they can manage symptoms effectively and improve their quality of life.

This blog discusses the relationship between Crohn’s disease, swelling of the face, rashes, and skin symptoms alongside their most effective management practices.

Understanding Crohn’s Disease and its Skin Manifestations

Crohn’s disease affects inflammation in the digestive tract along with other organs like the skin, joints, and the eyes. As an autoimmune disorder, the protective immune cells in the body start attacking the healthy tissues and inflict damage on multiple parts of the body.

The extraintestinal symptom occurs at a higher rate than other symptoms, as studies have shown that out of all patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, 40% are inflicted with multiple skin conditions.

Rashes and swelling are Crohn’s disease symptoms that usually appear on the face, and they could be attributed to:

Immunological hypersensitivity related to inflammation
Medications taken
Not having the proper nutritional requirements
Allergic Infections

Causes of Face Swelling

Here are the root reasons for why patients suffer from Crohn’s disease face swelling:

Inflammation and Auto-Immunity

Crohn’s disease is classified as an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system incorrectly targets and damages skin tissue. This abnormal immune response can cause facial swelling, especially during exacerbations.

Symptoms may include:

Edema of the eyelids and face
The erythematous and tender area over the face
Mild to severe inflammation of the face during flare-ups

Corticosteroid Moon Facies

The majority of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease achieve a reduction in inflammation through the use of biological treatments using steroids, particularly Interferon-coated beads. So what does Crohn’s disease look like?

Long-term use of steroids tends to ‘moon face syndrome,’ a condition in which overuse of steroids causes the face to broaden and round due to excessive fluid retention.

The moon face is frequently associated with the following:

A rounder, fuller face
Puffiness around the cheeks and jawline
Thinner skin and increased erythema

Adverse Responses to Treatment

Allergies from medicine can cause facial swelling and rashes. Doctors prescribe immunosuppressants and biologics to help manage Crohn’s disorders.

Signs of medication reactions are:

Swelling in the lips, throat, or eyes (this is an emergency; immediate medical attention is needed)
Itchy skin rashes or hives
Flushed face and redness

Lack Of Nutrition

Crohn’s disease can deplete skin health due to malabsorption of critical vitamins and minerals. Facial skin issues and swelling could be a result of a lack of protein, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and collagen.

Symptoms that arise from deficiencies are:

Dry skin that appears rough
Low protein swelling (edema)
Vitamin deficiencies cause redder and rash skin with heightened severity.

Fluid Retention and Dehydration

Dehydration or fluid retention together due to an imbalance in electrolytes can arise in patients suffering from Crohn’s disease face. Both can lead to puffiness on the face.

Some signs indicating an imbalance in fluid levels are:

Swollen, puffy face, especially in the mornings
Skin that appears pulled and tight
Dehydration may result in dark rings appearing underneath the eyes

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Crohn's Disease Skin Rash

Erythema Nodosum (Painful Red Bumps)

This skin condition associated with Crohn’s disease is by far the most prominent. It can be found on the legs but sometimes spreads to the face and is characterized by tender and sore red bumps.

Symptoms:

Red lumps that are tender cysts beneath the skin
A warm or tender feeling on their skin
Exacerbation of symptoms due to a flare-up of Crohn’s disease

Pyoderma Gangrenosum (Painful Skin Ulcers)

This ulcerative skin disease is one of the rarest and most severe skin disorders that relate to the complications of Crohn’s disease. They start appearing on the legs, surgical wounds, or face in the form of purple bumps that are very painful and gradually develop into ulcers.

Symptoms included severe skin ulceration and deep aching underneath rounds that have purplish borders and tend to be traumatic and chronic as a secondary complication.

Psoriasis and eczema

Eczema and psoriasis are skin diseases that are common in Crohn’s disease patients. Psoriasis is known as scaly patches of skin, whereas eczema is itchy, inflamed skin. These skin diseases manifest due to problems with the patient’s immune system and may appear as:

Psoriasis: Scales that are thick and red around the scalp, face, and body.
Eczema: Itchy skin that is dry and flaky with redness and irritation.

Psoriasis and eczema

Skin reactions in Crohn’s disease patients may arise due to treatment with certain drugs, especially biologics like infliximab and adalimumab. People who use such medications may get hives, merciless patches, or even acne-like rashes after the start of the new medications.

How to Deal with Rashes and Swollen Faces

To tackle facial swelling and rashes due to Crohn’s disease inflammation, the disease itself needs to be dealt with first. Work alongside your physician to:

Stick to the individualized treatment plan for Crohn’s
Follow the medication regimen as prescribed
Observe for symptoms indicative of flare-ups

Change Medications if Needed

Physicians should discuss alternative medications or dosages if the steroids or biologics being used for treatment cause rashes and swelling.

Choose Anti-Inflammatory Skincare

Crohn’s disease treatment includes the use of skin care products that are soothing and do not contain skin irritants. It is generally suggested to choose skin-soothing ingredients like:

Aloe vera (reduces redness)
Colloidal oatmeal (calms eczema)
Hyaluronic acid (for moisture)

Control Steroid-Induced Weight Gain

Try to alleviate steroid-induced inflammation by following these steps:

Lower sodium intake in meals to mitigate swelling
Consume a lot of fluids to wash out extra water
Gently realign the tissue of the face with very soft massaging to eliminate swelling

Take Care of a Skin’s Deficient Elements

Ensuring you are getting enough vitamins and minerals is important in creating well-functioning skin. Eliminate any deficiency in:

Skin repair comes with zinc, vitamin B12, and iron, reducing inflammation
Omega-3 provides skin hydration

Get a Professional Help for Significant Skin Problems

Painful skin ulcers, dermatitis, and hives should be taken care of by a doctor immediately. Some ailments derived from Crohn’s have skin complications, which are best treated using immunosuppressants, antibiotics, or other special therapies, along with proper wound management.

Final Verdict

Facial swelling and rashes associated with Crohn’s disease face can indeed be challenging. Nonetheless, grasping their origins and having the appropriate care techniques can help contain these issues. Skin health is achieved by treating the underlying disease, proper skincare selection, medication adjustments, and addressing nutrition gaps.

If you suffer from constant swelling or Crohn’s disease rashes, contact your dermatologist and gastroenterologist for specific treatment options. Taking care of Crohn’s disease comprehensively will positively impact not only the digestive system but the skin as well. Thus, the skin and confidence can be restored and discomfort reduced by adopting these preventative measures and regaining control over one’s health.

Keep Yourself Safe From Crohn’s Disease with Medicare Well

Protect yourself from Crohn’s face disease with Medicare Well, a reliable platform for health and wellness information. Learn about the causes of facial swelling and rashes in Crohn’s disease face, along with effective ways to manage and prevent them. Stay ahead of your symptoms with expert advice and trusted health resources from Medicare Well.

FAQ

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Can Crohn's cause rashes on the face?

Yes, Crohn’s disease can cause facial rashes due to inflammation, immune system dysfunction, medication side effects, or associated skin conditions like erythema nodosum and psoriasis.

Can Crohn's disease cause a puffy face?

Yes, facial swelling in Crohn’s disease can occur due to inflammation, corticosteroid use (moon face effect), fluid retention, or nutritional deficiencies.

How to treat Crohn's disease rashes on the face?

Treatment includes managing Crohn’s flare-ups, using gentle skincare, taking anti-inflammatory medications, staying hydrated, and consulting a doctor for specialized treatment if needed.