Women are more commonly affected than men. Pyoderma gangrenosum begins as small bumps or blisters on the skin, usually on the legs and, less commonly, on the arms. It may originate at a site of previous minor trauma. Eventually, these blisters coalesce and form ulcers. In many cases, the course of pyoderma gangrenosum follows the course of the underlying IBD and responds to therapy with oral or intravenous steroids.
Aphthous ulcerations are small ulcers in the mouth, like canker sores.
Seen in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, they appear most commonly during severe attacks of the disease. Since they also may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, any nutritional problems also must be treated, along with the underlying bowel disease. Medicinal mouthwashes may be used as well. Vasculitis appears as raised reddened areas, ulcers, or rarely, gangrene. The cause of these reactive skin disorders is unknown.