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Senile purpura bruises and treatment options
I ( and a friend or 2) love gardening. Even with wearing long sleeves while working outside, (today it was about 76 degrees by 8 AM here), I still get poked or scratched. The resulting bleeds and the bruises are way out of proportion to the cause. Anybody have a good suggestion how to cover up some of the bruises on my lower arms (elbow to wrist) so I don’t look so abused when going out in public? Meaning, make-up tricks. Tomorrow it will be around 94 degrees again here, so long sleeves out and about are not what I want to wear going forward.
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The purple spots don't bother me as much as the scars from inadvertent mild scratches on the backs of my hands that continue to open up and bleed a bit when exposed to water. Does anyone know of a solution other than to wear rubber gloves - admittedly obvious?
I too have used it but wish results were faster, but it definitely works.
Does anyone have any tips on how to lessen the effects of bruising on thin skin?
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2 ReactionsWelcome @dmswinnea, I moved your question about senile purpura and lessening the effects of bruising on thin skin to this existing discussion:
- Senile purpura bruises and treatment options: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hiding-old-lady-bruises/
I did this so you can see what members are suggesting and connect with others like @ellerbracke @jilliemo12345 @contentandwell @jnb @liene @alohamelanie @notmoff @bimshire and more.
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1 ReactionI have found 2 bandaid types that do not tear the skin -
BandAid Sensitive Skin and Tegaderm which is invisible and waterproof.
While gardening “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” I have a pair of “arm protectors” made of a tough, tightly-woven fabric. With openings at top and bottom, they slide on and cover your arms from your gloves well past your elbow. At the upper arm there are adjustable tabs to tighten or loosen them. I wear them plus gloves whenever I am working around thorny or scratchy plants. Where I live, I need to have lots of thorny and scratchy plants or face losing them to deer! Another good idea is to use a weeding tool in your left hand to lift and hold back a large plant while your right uses another tool to rake, weed, till, plant, or remove debris from the soil under it. You might also try using a few hoop-like plant supports to erect a temporary cage around a threatening plant. Another thought: if there are chores you cannot do with gloves on, you need to shop for thinner gloves with a better sense of “touch” that you will want to keep on. There are some with tiny rubber bumps on the palms and inside fingers. I found mine years ago from a vendor at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Their brand name is Fox.
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2 ReactionsHi, @dmswinnea As you can see in this topic, there are many ideas. I did have some success with tretinoin. It wasn't 100% but it was better than nothing. Now, since I am no longer on prednisone, I have fewer purpura.
Ask your dermatologist for a prescription. By the way, since it is considered to be a cosmetic problem, Medicare does not pay for it. If you use the app GoodRx you can find it for a good price though.
JK
Thanks for sharing your photos. I have the same spots on forearm, diagnosed as senile purpura, but oddly, they only began to appear several months after my first Covid Vaccine. I never had them before. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence because after first booster they appeared the next day, mostly on left forearm where I received the dose, but also sometimes on the right. I have tried to research the connection, but haven’t found anything similar. They most often appear unrelated to physical activity, but I also notice now if I scrape my arm even slightly against a surface, they immediately appear. Sometimes large patches, other times tiny, multiple dots. No pain or itchiness. I had no other side effects from the shots. I have asthma and take inhaled steroids so wonder if the combination set it off. I would be grateful to learn if anyone else has experienced or heard of this reaction. (I did fill out the “adverse reaction” paperwork for Pfizer, but had no response.) I am not against vaccine and grateful for it as I live with an elder parent, who is vulnerable, and need to protect her as much as possible. Thank you.
Glad to find a group where we can share experiences with senile Purpura (object greatly to use of “senile” as it’s associated with lack
Of mental faculties!) my bruises appeared about 6 months ago and after visits with dermatologist and primary care doctors, realize I am on my own when it comes to treatments. Now using/taking bioflavonoids, Vit. k, C, Arnica, DermMed cream and recently trying roll on Helichrysum…that last one is probably a stretch but at this stage, I’d rub bear grease on me if I thought it would help! Nursing home skin has done a number on my confidence (know I’m not alone) and have somewhat backed away from activities I enjoy…pickle ball, biking and gardening. Stupidly rode my 10 year old’s bike yesterday…fell and now nursing a disgusting leg gouge. Just read about “topical Human Epidermal growth factor” Too good to be true, right? Old age sure ain’t for sissys! Not that I look forward to winter anymore, but at least the bruises will be covered up. 😳 would enjoy commiserating with others!
I wear long sleeves even in hot weather!