Hi everybody , I have paroxysmal A Fib. Before I started to take Eliquis my skin on my arms had gotten very thin. So I bruise very easily. Now I’ve been on Eliquis for 3 weeks and I am getting more bruises very quickly. Sometimes I don’t even know how they got there. I asked my dermatologist and she said that thinning of skin is normal and being on an anticoagulant will cause this . Can anyone suggest maybe creams or lotions or vitamins that might help . Its driving me crazy. I work in a school and the kids are always asking me what happened to my arm. I would greatly appreciate it.
Eliquis with thin skin: Hi everybody... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Eliquis with thin skin
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Jances13
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Hi Jances. There is Arnica cream that you can use for bruises, but l would ask the Pharmasist if that is ok for you to use with your medications. Our skin thins with ageing and so not a lot we can do. We also bruise more easily and the anticoagulant will make this worse. I get bruises that appear from nowhere and they take a long time to fade.
Thank you so much. I will look into this .😀
I would recommend not washing your arms at all. This would mean that dead skin cells would stay on your arms much longer and give added protection.
When my mother went into a care home for a week, they wanted to put her in the bath every day and she really didn't want that. The modern obsession with hygiene is not ideal for elderly people.
Well you are still working, so not that old. Have you considered HRT? Oestrogen keeps our skin healthy and growing. Your skin is an organ. It deserves the hormones it needs to keep it healthy.
Hi , unfortunately I can’t take Estrogen because I have AFib. The Dr. says it will affect my heart . Thank you .
That's not true. There are thousands of us with AF on HRT! I have never heard such a thing anywhere. You need to speak to an HRT doctor. Ask for a referral to an NHS menopause clinic if you can't afford to consult privately. Find one near you and ask to speak to them. The heart needs oestrogen. The reason we all get palpitations and what-not in our peri-menopause years and beyond is because our oestrogen levels are dropping rapidly.
They are fobbing you off. It truly is shocking what the medical establishment will say to stop women having HRT. Not having oestrogen will definitely affect your heart and is ruining your skin. Please don't take that "no" for an answer because there is nothing to back that up in the literature out there about AF or HRT.
Agree. I'm on hrt. My EP was positive as heart arrhythmias can be caused by menopause.
I have been on HRT for many years and I only have problems when I dont change the patches regularly. My GP is happy for me to stay on it
I wish someone would tell that to my GP. I had a total hysterectomy at 40 right after my son was born, got HRT for 10 years and nothing since. I'm now 76 and the lack of hormones has been horrific, especially on my skin. OK I've had a heart attack so oestrogen isn't wise but I only want progesterone. All can get is a vaginal oestrogen cream. I feel like rubbing it all over my skin. Male GP of course.
Oestrogen through the skin is not going to increase your risk of heart attack. It helps the heart to function well. You should try and see another doctor.
A female doctor
It really doesn't matter what sex the doctor is, what matters is their current, up to date menopause knowledge. There are some terrible doctors out there, both sexes and some brilliant ones. Then there are a lot in between trying to do right for their patients and being open to learning new things.
Knowing the doctors at our practice I definitely need to see one of the women.
Email the practice manager and ask if any of them have a particular interest in menopause health. There's often one that does.
There was one but thankfully she's retired- she was the one youwe re sent to but she was NOT up to date.
Hi just thought I’d add to this comment as I’ve taken Oestrogen since I had my hysterectomy at age 40 and I’m now 77 and still on the high dose. I’ve had permanent AF for years now and have a pacemaker and take Apixaban and all the other heart pills we all take. I will never stop my oestrogen as it keeps my body and mind in good order , my skin is in very good condition with no dryness etc and few wrinkles, however I must say the blood thinners do cause the bruised marks on many of us and can’t be avoided.
I would suggest a skin coloured make up for covering blemishes would be best. Many people have to use such creams to camouflage scars etc. its waterproof and unnoticeable.
Unless you’ve had a hysterectomy Oestrogen alone isn’t recommended but there are many other hormone substitutes well worth trying.
TracyAdminPartner
Good Morning, Thank you for sharing your post with the members of the Forum, I am positive you will receive great advice and support from them.
One of the most common side effects of taking an anticoagulant is bruising and the risk of bleeding, many also describe a slight colour change and texture to their skin. For an overview of Eliquis (otherwise known as Apixaban) you may wish to download the patient information sheet available on the AF Association website:
Apixaban
US: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...
UK: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...
Our Patient Services Team are also here to help should you require any additional support or information: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Kind regards
Tracy Admin
What proportion of the people who take Apixaban get bruising? Should the dose be reduced for the people who suffer from this?
Thank you for your message, side effects do vary on an individual basis and we do not encourage anyone to reduce dosage of a prescribed medication without prior discussion with the doctor. If you are concerned, please arrange to speak to your doctor.
Kind regards
TracyAdmin
I'm a great fan of Apixaban. I've been taking it for five years and have had no side effects whatsoever. And it has stopped my migraine.
However, it occurs to me that something which prevents blood clots in the body has a greater effect on some people than others. It seems that the main reason for doctors prescribing it is weight and age. Do they ever measure platelet levels? What research has been done into its effect on different people?
Medical research is on-going and we try to share updates as and when we receive confirmation. Have you signed up to our Patient E-Newsletter to stay in regular touch with the Charity? heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
No, I'm happy with Eliquis and I don't have AF any more. Recently, I've been thinking about how, by being super hygienic, we are not treating our bodies in the best way.
We are cleaning ourselves and our homes very thoroughly because bacteria are the enemy and have to be removed. The old saying 'clean enough to be healthy and messy enough to be happy' has gone out of the window.
We need to come into contact with 'germs' to give our immune system something to practice on. Other bacteria on our bodies which are protective are routinely removed because we think it is the right thing to do.
Plaque has to be totally removed in order to keep our mouths healthy but has anyone ever thought that it is a protective coating to protect our teeth from mouth acid?
At least we are now giving our gut bacteria some praise.
I am getting small red marks on my arms, presumably little burst blood vessels, would this be caused by apixaban?
It is a possibility, but next time you visit the pharmacy to collect your prescription, just check with the pharmacist.
Kind regards
TracyAdmin
Thank you.
oh dear I think we are all the same on anticoagulants
I have heard that a mixture of lavender and alovera is supposed to be good. Something else as well with lavender but brain gone blank!!!
All the best xx
I have the same problem with thin skin and bruises on my arms - they are embarrassing !! I do take an oestrogen only HRT and will continue to do so and I’m on Flecainide for PSVT. I’m 70 and my skin is thinning as I age.
I use CeraVe moisturising cream and it is brilliant on arms, legs, hands . I think it’s available in the USA for around $18 for a tub. No perfume, absorbs well and leaves skin more supple.
Hi Jalopy. Hope you are well. May I ask how you are allowed to take HRT with anticoagulants please?
Hi - I understand that Premarin and Flecainide can be taken together and that Flecainide is an anti arrhythmic drug . My prescribing cardiologist is aware of the medication I take and Flecainide was prescribed after I tolerated it during an electro physiology study. Hope that explains.
Thank you for your reply. I'm on Edoxaban and have been told that I can't take the two. I'm going to privately refer myself and see what happens. I'm 64 but my skin looks about 85. Thanks again.
My pleasure !! Maybe try the CeraVe cream as well - it is very good.
Do you know if anyone has had bad reactions to it? I've spent a fortune on moisturisers that I just can't use. I have so many allergies and bad re actions like to aloe vera, bio oil, even the emollients from dermatology that they tell you to wash with. They only seem to do samples or sachets very rarely.
I’m sorry but I’m unable to answer your question - I just know that it suits me, doesn’t have a smell that I can’t tolerate and it absorbs well. Perhaps reviews on Amazon could help?
Good idea although I'm a bit wary of fake reviews.
I have had a look at the tub and it claims to be approved by dermatologists, unperfumed a hypoallergenic . CeraVe has its own website as well so you could have a good check on what they claim about their products.
I am on Apixaban and use an Estradiol patch. There is no problem . Doctors who say there is are talking rubbish. Premarin is an old fashioned type of HRT . It is made from horse urine and the oestrogen is what horses have . Combined with an artificial progestin it is the most dangerous form of HRT available as well as being cruel to the horses used to manufacture it.
Thank you so much. Does the CeraVe help to get rid of the bruises quickly? It is very embarrassing. I work at a school and the kids always ask me what happened to my arms . Most of the time I don’t even know how the bruises happened. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. 😀
The CeraVe in cream form (in a big tub so you can be generous when you use) has helped to make my skin feel more supple and not so thin. I have used it for about four months now and I currently have a couple of small purpura marks. They don’t disappear quickly I’m afraid but I do seem to have fewer marks.
I tend to wear long sleeves, it saves me embarrassment. I live if South Africa and long sleeved garments made from naturnal or floaty fabrics are just as cool in in summer as short sleeves = just look at the traditional dress of men in blazing hot Middle Eastern countries. However to keep my arms and legs moisturised I use Bio Oil gel.
Arnica cream clears up bruises very quickly. I'm the same, thin skin that actually rips if I bump it. For me it's an age thing plus aspirin. I have a huge raised red bruise on my upper arm right now- absolutely no idea how it happened.
”I asked my dermatologist and she said that thinning of skin is normal and being on an anticoagulant will cause this ”
I have not heard this before. Are you sure this is correct? Certainly, brushing is more likely.
I have the same problem - bruising caused by thin skin along with an anticoagulant. My dermatologist told me that the over-the -counter creams that you can buy are a waste of money. So, I just use makeup. And I am a guy!
How can there be any relationship between the two? You've only been on Equilis for 21 days. Skin takes about 45 to 90 days to renew over the age of 50. Are you under 50? If you are it takes 30 to 40 days but that's still not enough time. The kids will notice if you have a stroke though. 🤪
All the best.
Roy
JANCES13, I also have easy bruising with Eliquis. Just bumping my arm on a door gets a beautiful pink/red/purple bruise. I try to buy Provence thick lathering soaps and thick oat based liquid soaps. Sometimes a bruise may bleed. I used Doctor Bronner's Lavender soap to wash over the wound after alcohol. This dries skin more. I do use a very moisture rich moisturizer for my facial skin. While I have oily skin, Afib and the medications have made my facial skin dry for the first time in my life.
When I make American southwestern food, I take any residue avocado left on my hands from preparation and rub it on the arms. Great moisturizer.
If people ask you what's going on with your skin, you can say you are getting ready for the Halloween parade... just said this. In the states, I quote Harris VP Walz and say, "Mind your own damn business ." Yes, this is a direct quote.
As a woman, I was taught to always pay attention to how I look. New mantra for my 60s: Pay attention to how I live.
Best wishes,
Sue K.
Hello Jances13, when I was on 5mg of Eliquis twice a day I had problems with nose bleeds and occasional bruises. Once I twisted my knee and had livid bruises at the back of my leg for a long time. When I reached 80 and weighed less 60kg two criteria for reducing the dose I was on 2mg twice a day. Look at the leaflet as there is another criterion. It's unacceptable that you are having this bruising. I recently had an op to remove a keratoacanthoma from my nose. I had to stop Eliquis for 48 hours before even though it was 2.5mg. I couldn't restart it till next morning.
My nosebleeds have stopped. I'm loath to say this in case I jinx it. As many on this forum say we are all different so this may not work for you. Best wishes.
Get used to it! Sometimes, if I recognize at the time that I bumped my arm or hand, I can ice it right away, and that seems to minimize the hematoma. Usually I just don’t bother.
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