Skin changes with prednisone

Posted by shesnuts @shesnuts, Oct 18, 2022

I had always had great skin, but on 60 g of prednisone. I am experiencing a lot of sagging and thinning of my skin, particularly in my upper arms. I also have extreme bruising whenever anything, touches my forearm or my legs. I also have a lot of capillaries breaking in my legs and face now will this change when I get off of prednisone or lower my dose ? I am still not pain-free. Every step reminds me that I have this disease.

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Yes unfortunately the thin skin and bruising or accidental knocking and bleeding seems to be part of prednisone treatment- I have been on it in varying doses depending on how well things are going for 3+ years and the bruising comes and goes and it is not just on higher doses! So I guess for me it is a case of putting up with it but the sleeve idea is interesting, good for protection I think.

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Profile picture for katenz @katenz

Yes unfortunately the thin skin and bruising or accidental knocking and bleeding seems to be part of prednisone treatment- I have been on it in varying doses depending on how well things are going for 3+ years and the bruising comes and goes and it is not just on higher doses! So I guess for me it is a case of putting up with it but the sleeve idea is interesting, good for protection I think.

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@katenz
Just took a 2+ mile walk in our Midwest heat (mid/upper 80’s) & had to wear long sleeve shirt due to ugly bruises on my arms. Just too embarrassing.
I ordered DerMend cream & I almost think it heals the skin faster than just lotion.
I’ve accepted some of those bruises/not hiding but this cluster I felt the need to hide them.
Why is it our hands/forearms get these markings? None anywhere else on body.
🤷‍♀️

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This group is so helpful and encouraging in a discouraging situation! I thought "easy peasy." Taper down off prednisone, all done. PMR gone. That is not my situation. Then you get all of these ugly other side effects. My hair is also falling out, a less known side effect of prednisone. I am 75 and very active so this is highly annoying! I am going GF as I mentioned before and also swimming daily in my cold lake. I plan to continue ice bathing when the ice comes hoping in my magical thinking that with the cold will come lessening of inflammation. That is MY plan anyway. I hope PMR jumps on with MY plan.

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My arms are full of cuts and scabs so I sympathize with anyone dealing with prednisone skin issues . I have found that 20 minutes sitting in the sun every day seems to help a bit. Maybe it’s the vitamin D. Don’t know what I’ll do when Winter arrives.

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Profile picture for brerabbit @brerabbit

My arms are full of cuts and scabs so I sympathize with anyone dealing with prednisone skin issues . I have found that 20 minutes sitting in the sun every day seems to help a bit. Maybe it’s the vitamin D. Don’t know what I’ll do when Winter arrives.

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@brerabbit my skin is awful, i feel i have aged 20 years in a few weeks, dry, wrinkly, lacklustre, dull, and my hair !! falling out isnt in it... ive lost a good half of it i would say dry also, im trying to pamper it with hair masks same with my face good skin care but yup i feel your pain

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I had some cuts on my left forearm from yard work and put on a couple of bandaids. I pulled one off too quickly and off came a hunk of skin down to red meat! That made me realize I can't use regular bandaids and tape on that area. Paper tape and gauze seems to work as well as some cheap bandaids that are less sticky. I asked the nurses at my infusion what they recommend for arm protection. One said a PICC line cover but that might be overkill. It's colder now so I will be wearing long sleeves. It's taken a month for skin to grow over than patch about 1 inch by 1/4 inch in size.

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I use non stick pads over aquaphor and wrap with with 2 inch Coban or vet wrap. I try to not peek at the wound for 2-3 days.
If there is an attached flap try and work it place first with a Qtip.

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Profile picture for katenz @katenz

Yes unfortunately the thin skin and bruising or accidental knocking and bleeding seems to be part of prednisone treatment- I have been on it in varying doses depending on how well things are going for 3+ years and the bruising comes and goes and it is not just on higher doses! So I guess for me it is a case of putting up with it but the sleeve idea is interesting, good for protection I think.

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Hi Everyone,
Yes, I agree that prednisone has definitely caused some thinner skin which makes us all more susceptible to bruising and marks all over the skin. My marks have been contained to my hands, arms, and legs. I have found an essential oil called Helichrysum Oil that works well in speeding up the healing process. I get mine from Vitality Extracts (I have no personal interest) and they have a balm that doesn’t need to be mixed with a carrier oil and works wonders. Good luck with healing on the outside too! ❤️
Sandi

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Profile picture for seniormed @seniormed

I use non stick pads over aquaphor and wrap with with 2 inch Coban or vet wrap. I try to not peek at the wound for 2-3 days.
If there is an attached flap try and work it place first with a Qtip.

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@seniormed Good advice. I tried Coban but just the 1 inch and it curled up. Have to try the other. The non-stick pads I found all had adhesive on 2 or 4 sides. Have to look again or cut the adhesive part off.

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