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Symptoms - Crohn's disease

Without treatment, symptoms of Crohn's disease can be constant or may come and go every few weeks or months.

When the symptoms come back, it's called a flare-up or relapse. The periods between flare-ups are called remission.

Common symptoms

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are:

  • diarrhoea – which may come on suddenly
  • stomach aches and cramps – most often in the lower-right part of your tummy
  • blood in your poo
  • tiredness (fatigue)
  • weight loss

You might not have all these symptoms.

Other symptoms

Some people with Crohn's disease also have:

  • a high temperature
  • feeling and being sick
  • joint pains
  • sore, red eyes
  • patches of painful, red and swollen skin – usually on the legs
  • mouth ulcers

Children with Crohn's disease may grow more slowly than usual.

When to see a GP

See a GP if you or your child have:

  • blood in your poo
  • diarrhoea for more than 7 days
  • frequent stomach aches or cramps
  • lost weight for no reason, or your child is not growing as fast as you'd expect

A GP will try to find out what's causing your symptoms and may refer you for tests to check for Crohn's disease.

Page last reviewed: 22 April 2021
Next review due: 22 April 2024