Steroid side effects

[Woods255]

I am on fosair 200/6 , I was changed about six months ago as asthma was uncontrolled. I am getting red bruises on my arms and wondered if this is linked to the steroids?

[Wheezycat]

I am on the same medication, and before that on Symbicort for 4 or so years. I also get those bruises, and yes, it is due to steroids. Make sure you moisturise your skin well - steroids thins your skin making it more fragile.

[Itswonderful in reply to Wheezycat]

Hi. I didn’t think that inhaled steroids would cause bruising because not much is absorbed by the body?

[Wheezycat in reply to Itswonderful]

Ah, yes, a good point! I have been on a number of prednisolone courses over the last few yers, so I can't say for sure that the inhalers play a part, but I have seen people suggest that Fostair has that effect. I have no idea how accurate that is. I suspect there is a cumulative effect. These bruises also come with advancing age, and sun damage I believe, so it is not only steroids for me I suspect, though I never had them before steroids.

[Itswonderful in reply to Wheezycat]

Yes skin thins with age too. I have asked my GP if it’s related to thinner blood. I haven’t heard back yet.

[Itswonderful]

I also get these.

[Poobah]

I'm on Fostair and get these bruises too. Definitely more noticeable since being on Fostair but have always bruised easily from the slightest knock.

[emmmzy73]

I’m exactly the same, slightest bang and I bruise.

[Rattle]

Same here, only ever been on inhaled steroids but for many years (40+ I am 60 now) I’m on pulmicort.

Also on nose spray with steroids since about 3 years and I have noticed my arms seem to get those red marks/bruises from my watch, backpack etc and bruises appear more easily in generallly

I have an in person asthma review appointment on Nov 3 so intend to ask about this as they seem to have turned up the last 2 years

[Woods255 in reply to Rattle]

Be great if you can update us with the outcome. They drive me crazy but thinking that there may be nothing I can do about them now.

[Rattle in reply to Woods255]

I will let you know! I am surprised at this as I thought inhaled steroids were ”safe” in this respect.My mother-in-law had COPD and was constantly on oral steroids so I have seen the damage that can do to your skin.

[Rattle in reply to Woods255]

Hi Well my in patient appointment in Nov was cancelled but I have finally been in contact with my Asthma nurse and asked about this.

Her view was that although inhaled steroids are less absorbed by the body (as mentioned above), they may still be behind the increased bruising after many years of usage and in combination with other steroid medication (like in my case, I also use a nasal spray and sometimes on steroid nose drops).

I had also been taking a double dose of my normal inhaler (Pulmicort) during the hay fever period a few months back, as I had been instructed by an earlier Asthma nurse. So for a time my total "steroid exposure" was quite a lot higher than normal.

A few months on, as I'm back on regular does of Pulmicort and only using the steroid nose spray for a long time, I have noticed it's got much better.

Hope you are doing ok too x

[Lorcas_15]

I'm afraid that Fostair is the culprit. I am 72 but have noticed these red bruises since starting on Fostair. I have to be very careful of my forearms when gardening and use gauntlets for even the simplest of tasks. I have always had skin that is easily bruised but not this distinctive colour.

[Hidden]

Hi, I get easy bruising these days too, I am 64. My GP checked my blood platelet levels and all was well, so that was reassuring. I am from a family with small frames, my wrists are tiny, and we all seem to have this tendency.