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Any suggestions to help with blood bruising on arms?

Posted by anne4u @anne4u, Jun 22 2:16pm

I’ve developed a pretty severe problem with blood bruises on my arms.
It started about 18 months ago and hasn’t stopped with diligent healing lotions, sunscreens, bruising creams, etc.
I recently saw a dermatologist who did a biopsy with negative results. He recommended continuing my regimen of lotion and sunscreen. I was disappointed he couldn’t help me more, but maybe there isn’t more he could do? A few months ago at an annual checkup I had comprehensive blood tests done and everything looks good. I’m not taking blood thinners or anything that would cause my capillaries to break so easily.
It’s so severe that I can tap my arm on something and it leaves a mark. My dog recently (accidentally) kicked her back legs off my upper arm and tore the top layers of skin off which left bad cuts and bruising from my forearm to my shoulder. I ended up at urgent care after it became infected and then 7 days on antibiotics. It’s healing but takes so long.
I’m dedicated to putting quality lotions and creams on my arms and I wear sunscreen when outside. I purchased sleeves to wear when outside working on my yard. I try to avoid the sun whenever I can.
I spent plenty of time in the sun growing up. I loved water sports and live close to the beach. But for the past 25 years my exposure has been limited. It seems this issue came on after I stopped taking pain medications and started using ibuprofen for pain. Recently, after reading that ibuprofen can thin the blood, I switched to acetaminophen. I haven’t seen any change yet.
Just last night I pushed a chair in at a dinner table and the top of my hand tapped the underside of the table, I now have a blood bruise across the top of my right hand. It seems like every day I have a new bruise.
I feel like my life is limited to avoiding the sun and hiding my beat up arms! Summer is here and I’d love nothing more than to be able to go outside in short sleeves and enjoy the day without getting stares at my horribly bruised arms! I know this is common with old age. I’m 65 and feel like I’m too young for the severity of bruising.

Is there anything that has helped anyone with this issue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

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hopeinal | @hopeinal | Jul 2 5:32am

I developed horrible bruising and tissue thin skin on my forearms and tops of hands after being put on Prednisone for PMR last year. Several people with PMR who are taking Pred have posted pbotos showing their arms exactly like mine. I hadn't thought about seeing a dermatologist but maybe I should.

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 2 7:34am
In reply to @pb50 "I was able to convince my dermatologist to give me a script for Altrena - a..." + (show)
@pb50

I was able to convince my dermatologist to give me a script for Altrena - a micronized Tretinoin in a hydrating base… for my forearms and dorsal hand surface. It should thicken skin there and help protect from minor bumps and bangs.
Pricey so I will be our trial balloon. I have a 3 month supply so we shall see.

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Mind me asking how much? Must be no on part D coverage???

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pb50 | @pb50 | Jul 2 7:47am

Oh gracious no - no insurance will cover it because in addition to helping acne (the stated medical purpose) , it improves skin texture and (God forbid!) might improve fine wrinkles 🙄

A 45 gram tube of o.5% cream is around $115-$130 if you use SingleCare or Good Rx. Im using about a pea size amount per application. I’m not sure how long it will last for both forearm and hands.

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1 reply
woondogger | @woondogger | Jul 2 8:12am
In reply to @pb50 "I was able to convince my dermatologist to give me a script for Altrena - a..." + (show)
@pb50

I was able to convince my dermatologist to give me a script for Altrena - a micronized Tretinoin in a hydrating base. It should thicken skin on forearm and back of hands.
Pricey so I will be our trial balloon.

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Thank you for this recommendation. Will mention it to my dermo! Have a great day.

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mydogsbestfriend | @mydogsbestfriend | Jul 2 10:03am

I get those mostly on my hands and arms. It doesn’t take much to get a bruise ( my doctor said it’s senior purpura due to older skin which gets thin and fragile). Nothing much to do but I tried a couple of creams. Unfortunately I hate putting cream on especially in summer. But Gold Bond crepe corrector - I noticed if I put it on my hands overnight the back of my hands look much better ( wrinkle- wise) - but I can still get those bruises. If my dog catches my skin with his nails, the skin will rip. Not pretty. I usually cover with a bandage & the tear heals quickly. All part of aging ( I am 77).

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hopeinal | @hopeinal | Jul 2 10:08am
In reply to @mydogsbestfriend "I get those mostly on my hands and arms. It doesn’t take much to get a..." + (show)
@mydogsbestfriend

I get those mostly on my hands and arms. It doesn’t take much to get a bruise ( my doctor said it’s senior purpura due to older skin which gets thin and fragile). Nothing much to do but I tried a couple of creams. Unfortunately I hate putting cream on especially in summer. But Gold Bond crepe corrector - I noticed if I put it on my hands overnight the back of my hands look much better ( wrinkle- wise) - but I can still get those bruises. If my dog catches my skin with his nails, the skin will rip. Not pretty. I usually cover with a bandage & the tear heals quickly. All part of aging ( I am 77).

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I don't believe mine is senior purpura because I never had it before starting prednisone. Trying to taper but keep hitting the wall with flares. I live in the Deep South. It's HOT down here! How I wish I could wear short sleeves out again.

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pb50 | @pb50 | Jul 2 11:00am
In reply to @hopeinal "I don't believe mine is senior purpura because I never had it before starting prednisone. Trying..." + (show)
@hopeinal

I don't believe mine is senior purpura because I never had it before starting prednisone. Trying to taper but keep hitting the wall with flares. I live in the Deep South. It's HOT down here! How I wish I could wear short sleeves out again.

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You may be correct. But with me, I had never had them and then boom.. I did. I’m early 70’s so if you are young it very well may be due to something else.

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hopeinal | @hopeinal | Jul 2 11:10am

No I'm not young. lol I'll be 72 this month. But mine is extreme and since I've seen photos and heard from quite a few other Prednisone users much younger than me that have this exact same thing I can't help but believe it's the cause. I hope so, anyway, because at least I'll have hope that it will go away if/when I manage to wean off the Pred.

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gussie | @gussie | Jul 2 11:19am

My husband is 78 and only takes a statin. Still works full time running a commercial real estate office. Just from scratching itching on his arms he looks like he was in a fight. And if I so much scratch an itch the skin just peals off. I'm 82. I don't know of anything other than being younger that stops it

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 3 3:57am
In reply to @gussie "My husband is 78 and only takes a statin. Still works full time running a commercial..." + (show)
@gussie

My husband is 78 and only takes a statin. Still works full time running a commercial real estate office. Just from scratching itching on his arms he looks like he was in a fight. And if I so much scratch an itch the skin just peals off. I'm 82. I don't know of anything other than being younger that stops it

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What about HRT?

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