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Bruise very easy.

Lapley profile image
43 Replies

I bruise very easy you only have to knock my arm then a large red bruise appears. I do have severe copd.

Have you found any think that helps to stop this?

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Lapley profile image
Lapley
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43 Replies
Ray47 profile image
Ray47

I also have this. I was told it was steroids that give us paper thin skin. I don't think anything can be done apart from trying to take care not to knock yourself. Take care. Ray

baseman profile image
baseman

Hi, Lapley, Are you taking a course of Warfarin or any other anti-coagulant? As the blood doesn't clot due to the Warfarin etc., you will find you do bruise easier. Have a chat to the Practice Nurse when you have your next INR session. Regards

Lapley profile image
Lapley in reply tobaseman

No I am not on warfarin. Just all the inhalers that we have to take.

Neo7 profile image
Neo7 in reply toLapley

Hi Lapley, if you have been taking Amoxicillin for a chest infection, this can make you bruise more easily, can also cause constipation. Neo.

Hi Lapley, I'm in the same boat. I believe it is the steroids that thin the skin, making it very easy to bruise. Can't say I have found anything to help,sorry Mike.

Lapley profile image
Lapley

Surely there as got to be something to help us.

Neo7 profile image
Neo7 in reply toLapley

just will have to be careful Lapley, I'm afraid its just one of then knock on effects that go with the drug.

FarmerD profile image
FarmerD in reply toNeo7

Haa haa "knock on effects" see what you did there ( sorry marbles have gone walkabout again) 😋

knitter profile image
knitter

Yes , both myself and my next door neighbour are covered in bruises...it's the steroids I am afraid.

We look as if we have been beating each other up! My elbow at the moment is black and blue, I am always knocking it

Some people reccommend Arnica Ointment to rub on a bruise but I have never tried it.

peege profile image
peege in reply toknitter

As I'm going on holiday next Friday in desperation I bought some Arnica last week because my arms are in such a state (vanity).

Dunno if it's coincidence or not but the biggest ugliest bruise has been clearing up.

It is really annoying, you do your best to avoid knocks & bumps, your get almost bruise free and then boom, you get another.

I've got lots of scarring too. The skin on my forearms comes away sometimes, little triangular flaps that I stick down with those little butterfly stitches. Really that skin is 30 years older than it should be. 😥

Jeanjt profile image
Jeanjt

I also get lots on my hands and arms doc said it's steroid inhaler must admit it don't look nice

Lapley profile image
Lapley in reply toJeanjt

The Dr did say it was the steroids inhalers. But still not very nice walking around covered in bruises.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees

Yep, skin thinning due to steroids. I get it on the forearms and once on my chest a few inches below bottom of the neck. Strangely I smashed my arm further round when i tripped on a step i didn't see and no bruise has appeared at all. Given the places bruises like this appear, it seems like sun damage plays a part too.

Nothing to be done about it except wear it with pride, like a war wound. We are warriors remember :)

Lapley profile image
Lapley in reply toO2Trees

It seems I get rid of one bruise then another one appears. My granddaughter

who is five just knocked my arm Then there is another large one.

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss

I'm not on steroids but I bruise very easily, I also get blood vessels in my hands and fingers popping fairly regularly and they look bruised but I've no idea what causes it.

peege profile image
peege in reply toMagpuss

I get those too. They really hurt. I often wonder where else in my body little blood vessels burst - hopefully not my brain (although that could explain a lot)!

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss in reply topeege

That's something I've wondered about as well, especially when I get sharp stabbing pains in my temple - I'm told it's usually just neuralgia tho'.

Hi My legs are like old bruised potatoes!. One nasty GP said it was old age! It was my nice GP who said it was the steroid inhalers. I would be interested if there is anything to help. I think arnica cream is supposed to b e helpful with bruising. Have not tried it. K

Lapley profile image
Lapley

I agree there should be something out there to help with the bruising.

corsaking profile image
corsaking

I also bruise very easy .I even get bruises when the dog paws me.It is the steroids

I too am covered with bruises on my arms and legs, not a pretty sight! 😄. I have spent the summer with bare legs and today at the beach I did wonder if I should cover up and wear trousers, mostly in case I frighten children!

stilltruckin profile image
stilltruckin

Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, too little C is one cause of easy bruising.

Lapley profile image
Lapley

I do take vitamin C But I still bruise very easy.

stilltruckin profile image
stilltruckin in reply toLapley

A decent dose?

Lapley profile image
Lapley in reply tostilltruckin

Yes 1000 mg

stilltruckin profile image
stilltruckin in reply toLapley

With bioflavonoids? diagnose-me.com/treatment/b...

This might be worth a try: hollandandbarrett.com/shop/...

Quercetin's good for COPD too.

moreentui profile image
moreentui in reply tostilltruckin

thank you for the link you put up am going to get Quercetin tomorrow and see if it helps didn't realise it helps prevent asthma attacks as well

Lapley profile image
Lapley in reply tostilltruckin

I will buy these to see if they help I hope they do.

Thank You

My arms are always covered in bruises. I was working on my boat engine today and it's very awkward to get to parts. I ended up with a 2" peice of thin top skin peeled back as I took my arm back out after repairing a bit. I'd post a picture but it may make people feel a bit yuccy ! :)

Grimmie profile image
Grimmie

I have the same problem. My skin used to tear if l knocked arms or legs and needed a trip to A & E in local hospital, then visits to surgery, the reason l am telling you this is l have found that if you use a good moisteriser on arms and legs every day almost and l still bruise and my arms and legs get very sore but no more visits to hospital.

jayspurs profile image
jayspurs

Hi Everyone

I too am also a victim of bruising. It can be the simplest thing putting my watch on , sock elastic to tight that's how easy I bruise. I too was told it was the steroids, however as its the preventer inhaler and steroids inhalers do slow Dow the reduction in lung function (can post a paper if anyone wants it) I just keep smiling .

Justin x

in reply tojayspurs

I have always worn a bracelet but have had to stop and as you say socks can also leave a bruise! Xris

Pentreath profile image
PentreathVolunteer

Just counted up the ones on my hands and arms - got to 25 and stopped counting.

Me too, my skin is so thin now I can see very thin veins in my hands as well as the normal ones.

PollyP profile image
PollyP

Yep! It is the steroid inhalers....the bruises on my arms are worse in summer when they are unprotected by clothing. Pressure on the skin immediately when the skin is knocked by something does seem to reduce the bleeding ( under the skin ) a little, but not completely. I have used Arnica cream but have say it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

Good Luck!

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

I've always bruised easily. Some people are naturally like that, like Sir Sydney Smith the pathologist, who used his tendency in court once to demonstrate the mark a whip would cause on his arm to prove a case. My own bruising got worse because of taking the NSAID Naproxen - I also got a lot of mouth ulcers - they all healed once I stopped taking it.

I use Bio C (Vit C with bioflavonoids) too and have found that it makes a difference. I take 1000mg tablet in the morning. Ran out and just got ordinary Vit C and the bruises came back. I'm on Spiriva, Symbicort and Ventolin as needed.

Nikkers profile image
Nikkers

It's definitely the steroids in your inhaler Lapley. It took me ages to figure out why I kept bruising and taking the skin off my arms so easily, but when I did I changed my meds straight away. Apart from the pain of "peeled" skin, how unsightly it is to be covered in plasters all the time? Have a chat with your GP, there are alternatives. I've not felt any different since coming off them. XX

FarmerD profile image
FarmerD

Hi Lapley,are you on steroids.I,m on maintainence 5mg,I don,t even need to bash myself,bruises just appear for no reason ,It,s very strange.D.

SAMMYJFL profile image
SAMMYJFL

Long term use of Prednisolone had left me with paper thin skin and I tend to be a little clumsy which doesn't help. I use Boot's Arnica cream morning and night which helps seems to help the bruising to fade quite quichkly

emmo profile image
emmo

This is usually down to steroids, I bruise and my skin

breaks very easily - forever covered in plasters! Not

a lot we can do about it.

onamission profile image
onamission

I am the same mine started before I took steroids or steroid inhalers

sandstone profile image
sandstone

Has anyone checked if they have ehlers danlos ? This is common side effect

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