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Itching After Discontinuing Pred?
Greetings. I was on prednisone for 4 1/2 years, have been off since early October 2025, following slow taper. Glad to be done (also aware it can return at any time) with PMR. However, for the last couple of months I have been suffering with insanely itchy skin, primarily my back, and mostly at night. I have read that discontinuing prednisone can cause itchiness. Anyone else experience this? Witch Hazel, followed by coconut oil, helps. I am 75 years old, very active, walking 2-4 miles a day, and lots of swimming and biking in summer, and otherwise quite healthy. Please advise. Thank you.
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I know your story…..age, activity etc. My pool place said no new chemicals. Never thought abt prednisone.
My itchy came in Dec , 5 months after stopping prednisone.
I went to Dermatologist who said it was a contact dermatitis, and he gave me anRX cream 2 times a day. Working so far.
Thank you for your reply. Doesn't sound like my situation. Mine started right after discontinuing prednisone. I was a little achy and tired for the first few weeks, that's gone, now I'm just itchy. Curious to see if there are others who itch following prednisone.
@tweetypie13 Also, it would be more typical after stopping topical prednisone cream, but can also happen systemically. Again, curious -
@sarapia
I have had itching issues even before prednisone. I have an itching on my right shoulder blade that is very annoying. I have discovered that it is a thing with a decompressed nerve in the spine (and the condition has a name) which causes the itching.
Perhaps your itching is just coincidence with the stoppage of prednisone and the source is unrelated. 🤷🏻♀️