Does skin recover after prednisone?

Posted by janetorcas @janetorcas, Jun 5 11:38pm

I have been on a taper for a couple of months - now at 12.5 mg, down from 20 mg. Skin on my hands and forearms is noticeably thin - so much so that I feel like an anatomy specimen. Also, blood vessels break at the smallest bump or abrasion. Is there hope for some recovery from this, or can I expect to have this constant bruising from now on?

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@tuckerp

Yes. Good point. No Scab. Thats why you have to leave the bandage on. 10 days sometimes with this prednisone damaged skin is not long enough.

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scabs are only good in Lasagna. That crispy part along the edge.

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I have been off prednisone for a month, having been on it for a year. I also had thin skin and bruises, but for some reason only on my left forearm.

Since being off I noticed an improvement in my left forearm the skin it is less translucent and the bruises that I had are going away slowly, with none occurring.

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I had a very nasty cut on the back of my calf, 12 stitches spaced out. Did not heal well. Ended up at hospital wound care center where I got excellent care. They used xeroform guaze pads. There are stretchy ace bandage type wraps that could work for arms, no adhesive. They wrapped my leg with rolled guaze.
I started out with one ER Dr who said there are 2 thoughts on healing. One is to let the wound air out for some time during the day. I tried that. Parts of the cut turned black. Wound care Dr cleaned it out and applied the xeroform pads which have a Vaseline compound to keep it moist. If you don't keep it moist, the skin cells will die. Keeping it moist is what worked for me.
After bathing I use a quality moisture lotion on my arms and legs. I think it helps. I get those purple spots at times but think the right lotion could help

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@pmrsuzie

I had a very nasty cut on the back of my calf, 12 stitches spaced out. Did not heal well. Ended up at hospital wound care center where I got excellent care. They used xeroform guaze pads. There are stretchy ace bandage type wraps that could work for arms, no adhesive. They wrapped my leg with rolled guaze.
I started out with one ER Dr who said there are 2 thoughts on healing. One is to let the wound air out for some time during the day. I tried that. Parts of the cut turned black. Wound care Dr cleaned it out and applied the xeroform pads which have a Vaseline compound to keep it moist. If you don't keep it moist, the skin cells will die. Keeping it moist is what worked for me.
After bathing I use a quality moisture lotion on my arms and legs. I think it helps. I get those purple spots at times but think the right lotion could help

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yes similar product. I always would let my scabs air out. But prednisone damaged skin or healing over bone takes keeping moist until its healed. then the skin also needs moisturizing. My wifes skin reacts best with coconut oil. Dr said not to let it dry out.

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My mother was on 5 mg of prednisone for over 10 years. Her skin got so bad that even the smallest cut would become infected and then go into sepsis. She had 5 hospitalizations last year and the last one finally killed her. All those years of prednisone left her with no immune system and no way to fight infection off. I was diagnosed with PMR last August and have been trying very hard to get off of the prednisone. Started at 20 and am down to 6. It’s been hard. I’ve had a couple flares but am trying to taper slowly. 1/2 mg every 3 weeks. I also have osteoporosis so I need to get off of it soon.

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@bren0718

My mother was on 5 mg of prednisone for over 10 years. Her skin got so bad that even the smallest cut would become infected and then go into sepsis. She had 5 hospitalizations last year and the last one finally killed her. All those years of prednisone left her with no immune system and no way to fight infection off. I was diagnosed with PMR last August and have been trying very hard to get off of the prednisone. Started at 20 and am down to 6. It’s been hard. I’ve had a couple flares but am trying to taper slowly. 1/2 mg every 3 weeks. I also have osteoporosis so I need to get off of it soon.

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I feel for you, I really do, especially after what happened with your mom. I can relate to the long time prednisone use and it’s effects. I do have the thin skin and osteoporosis. I’m very careful if I scratch or cut myself to clean right away and then spray some more Bactine on it and apply an antibiotic ointment and a small bandaid. Haven’t had any infections yet on my skin.
I also have osteoporosis and I’m getting yearly infusions of Reclast for my bones and taking calcium/magnesium supplements.
I realize this is all a big pain, but you gotta do what you can to take of yourself regardless of your circumstances. I do it because I’m 74 years old and I have a very active 9 year old grandson!! Good luck to you!

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At the worst, 20 down to 10mg, I cut the toes out of my husbands white athletic socks and wore them on my forearms to prevent damage, as I am very busy doing things. I also ordered some skin colored protectors from Amazon. Senile purpura is what the bruises are called, mine started at about 65. Now that I am down to 4mg, 16 months later, my arms are looking a lot better.
The tearing was so awful, just a bump and the skin on the back of my hand would just rip off. Fortunately it did heal up fast! One time I was camping, with few supplies, and I had to use a panty liner and electrical tape on a huge bloody tear until I could go buy some first aid stuff!

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@sandmason

At the worst, 20 down to 10mg, I cut the toes out of my husbands white athletic socks and wore them on my forearms to prevent damage, as I am very busy doing things. I also ordered some skin colored protectors from Amazon. Senile purpura is what the bruises are called, mine started at about 65. Now that I am down to 4mg, 16 months later, my arms are looking a lot better.
The tearing was so awful, just a bump and the skin on the back of my hand would just rip off. Fortunately it did heal up fast! One time I was camping, with few supplies, and I had to use a panty liner and electrical tape on a huge bloody tear until I could go buy some first aid stuff!

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Thanks for your information. I am currently on 4mgs of pred and I get bruising. I am also on Eliquis for possible afib. So, I am so thankful I am not seeing tearing unless I get a hard bump to my arms or legs. I have not been able to get below 4mgs without pain.
I am concerned about my bones. I do not take anything for them.

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@sandmason

At the worst, 20 down to 10mg, I cut the toes out of my husbands white athletic socks and wore them on my forearms to prevent damage, as I am very busy doing things. I also ordered some skin colored protectors from Amazon. Senile purpura is what the bruises are called, mine started at about 65. Now that I am down to 4mg, 16 months later, my arms are looking a lot better.
The tearing was so awful, just a bump and the skin on the back of my hand would just rip off. Fortunately it did heal up fast! One time I was camping, with few supplies, and I had to use a panty liner and electrical tape on a huge bloody tear until I could go buy some first aid stuff!

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You can buy tear proof gardening sleeves on line. I bought some protective sleeves in the hardware section at a big box store after scraping my forearm. Good luck!

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