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Suggest Treatment For Interface Dermatitis While Having Migraine
Question: Hello Doc,
I had my 1st Migraine ever in 1993 or 1994, I also had contact dermatisits at the same time. my head hurt so bad i laid on the floor of my house for some 8 hours before I got up. I thought I was going to die right ther. I was roughly 33 years old at the time. Fast forward to 2012, I started having a skin problem while I was in the hospital for a stomach ailment, was diagnosed with Sever diverticulitis, then begininng stages of Colitis and then full blown Chron's. Anyway to make a long story shorter, I went to a Dermatoligist for the skin rash that had developed and it was diagnosed as a interface dermatitis. i contiued haveing skin problems, have just now started seeing another dermatoligist and he has started me on a antibiotic for 90 days. Anyway, my question and concern is I had my 2nd Migraine in 2012 when my skin got bad. I lost my eye sight during one of the migraines, of course it came back after headache went away. I have continued with the flaky ears, bumps on skin and rashes all along, the migraines are getting much more frequest, like 2 a day and sometimes waking up with them at 02:00 in the morning they are so bad. This has been going on now for the past 3 months. I was getting them now and then the past 2 years, then I would not have one for weeks at a time. My skin problems and migraines sure seem to be related.
Also, I have now been told by may 4th gastroligist and after my 12th colonoscopy that i do not have any colitis or chron's. I have what appears to be diverticlosis.
I am now 55 years old and White male. Other than my story above, I feel and look terrific if I say so myself
Thanks,
XXXX
YYYY@YYYY
I had my 1st Migraine ever in 1993 or 1994, I also had contact dermatisits at the same time. my head hurt so bad i laid on the floor of my house for some 8 hours before I got up. I thought I was going to die right ther. I was roughly 33 years old at the time. Fast forward to 2012, I started having a skin problem while I was in the hospital for a stomach ailment, was diagnosed with Sever diverticulitis, then begininng stages of Colitis and then full blown Chron's. Anyway to make a long story shorter, I went to a Dermatoligist for the skin rash that had developed and it was diagnosed as a interface dermatitis. i contiued haveing skin problems, have just now started seeing another dermatoligist and he has started me on a antibiotic for 90 days. Anyway, my question and concern is I had my 2nd Migraine in 2012 when my skin got bad. I lost my eye sight during one of the migraines, of course it came back after headache went away. I have continued with the flaky ears, bumps on skin and rashes all along, the migraines are getting much more frequest, like 2 a day and sometimes waking up with them at 02:00 in the morning they are so bad. This has been going on now for the past 3 months. I was getting them now and then the past 2 years, then I would not have one for weeks at a time. My skin problems and migraines sure seem to be related.
Also, I have now been told by may 4th gastroligist and after my 12th colonoscopy that i do not have any colitis or chron's. I have what appears to be diverticlosis.
I am now 55 years old and White male. Other than my story above, I feel and look terrific if I say so myself
Thanks,
XXXX
YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Skin conditions like interface dermatitis are not known to be associated with migraine, no such association has been noticed by epidemiological studies. Even considering the mechanisms of dermatitis and migraine there is no reason to think there is a direct relationship.
One possibility for that association you have noticed might be stress. Migraine attacks are commonly triggered or exacerbated by stress and anxiety and the flaring of the skin manifestations may increase stress levels as well. That might be an explanation.
Another possibility to be looked at would be that your dermatitis is not isolated but related to a systemic autoimmune condition involving many organs, such as lupus. In that case it could be a possible mechanism as such conditions are known to lead to brain involvement, increased risk of migraine, increased risk of stroke etc. So if that possibility has not already been explored it should be through lab tests for autoimmune conditions. A brain MRI might also be considered.
For now, assuming that no such autoimmune conditions have been found, I would recommend prophylactic treatment for your migraine attacks. Prophylactic treatment is usually started when attacks more frequent than 2 per month, aims to reduce frequency and severity of attacks. There are many options such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antihypertensives. Amitriptyline would be an appropriate first line choice.
I remian at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Skin conditions like interface dermatitis are not known to be associated with migraine, no such association has been noticed by epidemiological studies. Even considering the mechanisms of dermatitis and migraine there is no reason to think there is a direct relationship.
One possibility for that association you have noticed might be stress. Migraine attacks are commonly triggered or exacerbated by stress and anxiety and the flaring of the skin manifestations may increase stress levels as well. That might be an explanation.
Another possibility to be looked at would be that your dermatitis is not isolated but related to a systemic autoimmune condition involving many organs, such as lupus. In that case it could be a possible mechanism as such conditions are known to lead to brain involvement, increased risk of migraine, increased risk of stroke etc. So if that possibility has not already been explored it should be through lab tests for autoimmune conditions. A brain MRI might also be considered.
For now, assuming that no such autoimmune conditions have been found, I would recommend prophylactic treatment for your migraine attacks. Prophylactic treatment is usually started when attacks more frequent than 2 per month, aims to reduce frequency and severity of attacks. There are many options such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antihypertensives. Amitriptyline would be an appropriate first line choice.
I remian at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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