Ive realised recently that the triangular rips i am getting more frequently to my skin on arms, hands and legs are due to many years of taking asthma meds plus general aging. This is not helped by being on anticoagulants which make you bleed more easily. Is anyone else having this problem of thin very delicate skin and what can you do about it? A quick look on the internet and there is a huge range of collagen based potions and creams, often very expensive, also special socks and arm protectors. I dont know where to start. Any recommendations please would be most welcome, thankyou ever so much !!
Thin skin from steroid use: Ive... - Lung Conditions C...
Thin skin from steroid use
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Shirazmataz
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When I was first put on steroid inhalers many years ago, the doctor assured me there were no side effects. ( I was worried about growing enormous muscles.) Perhaps they didn't know about skin thinning in those days, Now I have only to brush against a wall to acquire another triangular scar on my arm. I have found the best thing by far for my very dry skin is Bodyshop Shea Butter -an expensive treat, but worth it.
oh dear, but it is good to hear that other puffer users have the same problems. Thankyou for your reply Alberta56. i will try the Bodyshop shea butter. Ive got three triangular cuts at the moment which take ages to heal. It is a serious problem as you say - you just brush against something and there's the rip. Especially bad when out gardening - just catching yourself on a twig. I have rather an enthusiastic cat with claws too. But he stays!
Hi, I have tried the protective socks and sleeves....expensive waste of money ! Best thing you can do is moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Good luck but at least asthma under control....pretty important x
thankyou Jeecamgunn 👍
Hi, I have tried the protective socks and sleeves....expensive waste of money ! Best thing you can do is moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Good luck but at least asthma under control....pretty important x
I have been on Pred (not now) and steroid inhalers for decades and break my skin easy -I am on blood thinners (Rivaroxaban) and sometimes my arms seems like they are fresh from a war-zone.
it seems like a double wammy Ern007 thin skin and being on anticoagulants because when you catch your skin you cant stop it bleeding. You begin to feel like a collander. I was on Rivaroxaban but consultant changed it to Apixaban which apparently isnt quite such a strong anticoagulant due to this problem with wounds. I notice a little difference with stopping bleeding.
Hi! I was told the same as you. I was a bit nervous about using steroids in any form because you hear so many stories about it. I was assured it went into the lungs and stayed there. It was years later when it was too late that I found out it wasn’t true and steroid goes all over the body.
Like you I’ve only got to brush against anything and I rip. I’ve got a cat that has very sharp claws and teeth and I’ve had a few nasty gashes from him.
I use Cerave on the really dry parts and E45 on the rest.
I had exactly this whilst on Seretide, the lower dose one. I asked a respiratory nurse if the extremely thin skin was caused by steroid inhaler, she laughed & said "no way, only the tablets can". She was completely wrong as a GP later confirmed, he actually said the skin could improve. I was very active then including sailing where you have to move fast, arms ripped with 2" triangles, blood everywhere . I had packs of 6mm Steristrips in every bag including washbag for travel, they're marvellous for reducing scarring. 6mm, the thinner ones come off. Tesco do a decent copy, Boots are no good either (I'm a connoisseur of Steristrips)! A dog bite in France needed 22 stitches. I took to wearing double thickness Tubigrip on arms that worked a treat for protection.
My Seretide was changed to Fostair MART 100/6 and oh my goodness, I couldn't believe it a few months later I noticed my skin wasn't ripping. Incredible. I even pruned the roses without the Tubigrip on. Creams didn't make any difference although I never tried collagen ones. I do take more Fostair in the winter than summer because that's when asthma is worse and the thickness of my skin fluctuates, much better in summer.
My advice, get 6mm Steristrips to use like sticky stitches and leave them in place until the skin ghs healed underneath and Tubigrip for any activities.........oh and sunblock to put over all the scars (I worry about skin cancer).
Hope this helps, good luck.
NB I've read here that one or two members had the same rips on Fostair and had better skin on another steroid preventer so it's confirmation that we're all different, the only thing you can do is experimentif GP is willing. .
Steristrips sound most interesting. Thanks for the tip. Why don't health professionals know about these things? They obviously don't read Health Unlocked.
Haha, the first time I saw them was 2006, I was a care manager near Esher.
Dear Betty was walking down a wide corridor using her walking frame when she stumbled, knocked her chest on her frame, when I looked a huge triangular flap of skin was hanging down. My immediate reaction was to place it carefully back. Was huge, poor Betty. Rang for ambulance & when they brought her back later there were dozens & dozens of Steristrips holding the flap in place. The crew had warned me that her skin was probably too fragile to stitch so I'd wondered what they would do. I've never forgotten that lovely lady - or the Steristrips 🤣
gosh - what a fright, poor lady.
yes - exactly - that is why i joined Health unlocked recently as you learn much more from other people who are coping with similar conditions, and willing to share and support each other! We have to help ourselves these days as it is so difficult to access primary care and i sorry to say that i dont always believe what is being said, if you get to speak to someone as i think they dont always know and make it up. Getting cynical in my old age.
Hu has been amazing. I have learnt more here since I joined that ever could have thought possible. Collective knowledge and sharing along with a feeling you have somewhere to turn to and people who understand. x
You have to be cynical these days sadly.
Hi Peege - thanks for your comments - i have been on a whole range of medications for asthma over 45 years - so i think that is enough to make thin skin! Im on Fostair 200 /6 for the last two years and my skin ripping seems to have got worse. I have got some steri strips from Boots - bit of a fiddle. So where do you normally get your 6mm ones? You mentioned Tescos and i will look out for them, but our nearest is middle size and havnt seen them there. Also what are you doing with the manuka honey? Are you putting it on the wound or eating it? Ripping your arms whilst sailing is a frightful thought, being caught by a twig is enough!!
Yes, twigs, thorns, dogs, doorframes 🙄!
Steristrip is the brand name Boots & some others gave copied. The Boots version was a total waste of money because they came off so the wounds reopened causing more scarring. I found Tesco ones worked but only the 6 millimetre ones are any good, 3 millimetres aren't strong enough to hold the skin in place. I cut the ones I have into and out 1cm lengths. I'm lucky enough never to have had infected wounds. Usually I use saline solutions or diluted Tea Tree oil.
One I really worried about was a really bad rip on a toilet door catch in the pitch dark at a remote restaurant on a Croatian island, blood everywhere as usual, we were off the boat, the restaurant owner had no first aid kit and swore that his magic fish liver oil would work & dolopped it on. It jolly well didn't work, I just smelled like a fish factory all night (not very romantic) and it's one of my worst scars 😕.
I've never used Manuka on wounds but I hear it has healing properties. It's expensive, I recall you can buy Manuka impregnated plasters but I'd be too scared they'd rake off more skin on removal. I think they use them more in New Zealand where the Manuka bushes grow.
off to Tescos then and a ferret about on Amazon! i might give the manuka honey a miss plus any fish oil offered my way. You sound like you had some great adventures despite potential health issues 
Yes some great adventures to remember before late onset asthma dx. Now though I have to enjoy walking and seniors balance classes & spend too much energy and thought on avoiding, bugs, tripping over and other hazards. Life's a b..... at times but great when the sun shines ×× P
Oh my goodness this is exactly what I go through having been on seretide 250mg for years before that 125mg in 2003 and I scar and bleed especially on my arms which loolike a scarred road map.I put that same question to my gp who also said that only oral steroids and intravenous will affect skin with long term use that was definitely not the case. I also have cataracts due to rescue med prednisolone pack but luckily only occasionally do I need them.
By trial and error I now use medical grade manuka honey and sensitive skin plasters to patch up tears and scratches. But only if I’m sure they aren’t infected. It takes a couple of weeks for them to heal properly.
Ordinary plasters are as bad for tearing skin or causing bleeds under the skin, I find. I also use Zoff sticky plaster remover (from Amazon) if the plasters are very sticky.
I cover the bruises on my arms (usually the most visible) with concealer make up - I find Nyx from Boots has a good long lasting one in many reasonable skin colours to hide them - it’s not expensive and lasts for ages.
For some reason quite a lot of medical staff don’t seem to know about this 🤷♀️ one more thing to educate them, but also find our own way round 🙄
I have the problem after several courses of high dose steroids and Fostair inhaler. The Sensitive skin plasters are essential for me.
I recently discovered Instituto Español Arnica skin lotion when visiting Spain. I have since ordered it online in the U.K. It was not very expensive for a large 500ml bottle. I think it is helping a bit. Arnica cream helps with bruising and arnica homeopathic pills are also helpful.
The collagen beneath the epidermis thins with age and especially post menopausally for women. I had to stop HRT when I had breast cancer which hastened the skin thinning dramatically. It was one of the reasons I restarted Oestrogen only HRT after a 10 year gap. There has been no further deterioration despite being on Fostair on an occasional basis.
Thank you for your tip. I just use anything to hand to moisturise when I remember! You’re right about Post-menopause skin being so dry, before we’ve added in the steroid damage 🙄
And gauntlet gloves for gardening, whilst avoiding aspergillus mould spores! Everything is a challenge!
I find many moisturisers leave my skin sticky and can then increase the risk of shearing damage that breaks the small unsupported blood vessels just below the skin surface very easily. The Arnica lotion is very easily lightly massaged into the skin and absorbs rapidly. I suspect the Arnica content will over time reduce the discolouration left by the inevitable bruises!
Hi Shirazmataz. My skin is dreadful. I’m always covered in bruises - little ones, big ones and all sizes in between. Most of the time I don’t know where I got them from. If I feel a knock I use witch hazel immediately which limits the bruising.
At the moment I’m trying soaking myself in the bath, lavishing moisuriser all over ( I find this a bit of a chore and often leave it “til later’ which never happens! I also bought some collagen tablets from Amazon which I’m trialling. ( I found incidentally that collagen is good for the lungs - we’ll see.)
No idea if all of this faffing will work, but I’ll give it a try. Oh - I also got some hyralaronic??? acid lotion. ( In the cupboard 😁)
Please let us know the results of your trials.
Will do. They say 3 months to see skin improvement.
Hi Troilus - I just wondered if you found any benefit to taking collagen supplements (or any side effects with the steroids). My Mum is currently on pred and is suffering badly with skin tears and thin skin (she's 80) made much worse by the steroid, I was going to suggest she takes Collagen, but didnt know if this would interfere with the pred, or if it would make any difference to her skin. Thank you!
Hi Troilus - yes can agree about bruises appearing from nowhere. Every time you bash yourself on a door knob or even the smallest scrape, you say to yourself, I must be more careful, but it is the smallest touch on something that can cause havoc. I caught my hand on a biscuit packet in the supermarket whilst loading the items on the conveyor belt and suddenly i have a triangular rip and bleeding everywhere. People in the queue behind not chuffed as the staff member had to patch me up with the first aid kit and it took time. it was embarrassing.
Do tell us about the collagen tablets you are trialling when youve given it enough time, fingers crossed it helps.
I agree with peegee that my skin improved when I changed from Seretide to Fostair. I am now on Trimbow and the improvement continues. I no longer need to take my special first aid kit with the steristrips everywhere with me . I still have the scars but my skin is much better.
Hi, I like all others suffer the dreaded skin rips & bruises after years of asthma medication & steroids.
I had an extremely bad rip combined with full forearm bruise a year ago just before going on a Majorcan holiday…embarrassing to wear short sleeves & 1 arm covered in tubigrip.
My son in law suggested arm protectors, I bought 2 pairs from Amazon & they have made a difference, if I bump my arms or legs I still bruise but rips seem to have decreased.
I use any type of body cream as also have very dry skin so the cost of daily applications can be huge. I do prefer Aveeno blue or Vaseline intensive care as both covers well, plus I hydrated myself well throughout the day.
I find if I do have a rip I clean immediately & apply thin layer of Vaseline then a dressing, a nurse I worked with told me this method, as she found it was the best protection against infection & kept the wound soft plus it seemed to heal better. I’m sure the honey advice will do the same…Can be messy but seems to work in my case.
I wear arm protectors daily around the house & under long sleeve clothing if out shopping.
We can only hope all our efforts work a little, sadly us long term asthma sufferers will be prone to these thin skin cuts & bruises.
Interesting reading about different types of inhalers seem to cause skin thinning, I’ve been on Fostair for years, unfortunately after trying other inhaler treatments it’s the Fostair that works best for me. I’ve recently had it changed to Fostair NEXThaler ( better for the planet apparently) so far so good.
Thanks everyone for all your tips & advice I’ll certainly try some plus keep up to speed with all other posts as find them extremely helpful.
Hi Shirazmataz. I think you are going to find that this is a very very common problem with various theories of what causes it and even more on possible solutions. In my case there's little doubt that age is mainly responsible and the only sure solution is a custom made suite. (As pictured) But I dislike long sleeved clothing preferring bodywarming type things and don't seem to be able to walk through a doorway without catching my arm on the doorpost. So that leads to what plasters are best to use, which has already been addressed in this interesting thread, thank you for posting.
I am useless at putting two and two together! Your raising this subject has made me think and I now realise that since I changed from Spiolto Respimat to Trimbow, I no longer get the "blood bruising" which I used to have incessantly on my arms!
Many of us seem to suffer from the tears , and you have had some great tips! I hope you find something that works for you xx
Iodene patches are a miracle at healing. I had a few from practice nurse but now purchase them from Amazon..they really are fantastic. I cut my hand with very sharp knife. Should have gone to A&E as needed stitches. The iodene healed it within days. Xx.Sheila
thankyou garshe i will look out for those.
thankyou everyone for your helpful suggestions and reflections on thin skin problems, i shall be trying a few things out. What do you do with the Manuka Honey - is there something special like an ointment? ive not heard about it. Happy New Year.
I buy a small tube of it from Amazon. It does last well. I only use a tiny drop as it goes everywhere and is very sticky. I put the drop on the plaster, then onto the tear or cut in as sterile a way as I can manage. And then just leave in place for several days for as long as I can keep the plaster dry. And then I keep repeating until it is healed.
3/4 sleeves are my friend these days 😆
incredible what Amazon sells these days - i will look out for it, thankyou Beech
honey is the best thing in skin care. You can also buy medi honey cream or you should be entitled to it on prescription. Put it around the wound not directly onto the tear, the open wound. You should be able to ask for some time with a wound care nurse if this is a frequent occurrence for you so a plan can be put in place. They would be able to tell you the best things for your particular skin. I used to do wound care and thin skin needs special care. It’s important not to put the wrong thing on.
thankyou - that is good to know. I have been looking on Amazon at all the dressings and wound care stuff and it becomes overwhelming and difficult to work out what is best so can be organised for these sudden accidents.
I personally and professionally would speak to your GP nurse. If you put the wrong thing on it can cause the tear to either not heal or to get bigger. I feel for you as those tears can be pretty painful. So please speak to a medical professional. You’re well within your right to self manage these, the Gp would agree but I would purposefully ask to be taught how to care for them. We all go through enough lung stuff without added issues that are unmanageable. I dealt with lung related rashes for years, that split my skin open in very uncomfortable areas such as; thighs, groin, underbust, armpits eg. and didn’t get help, but now I am. We may not be able to stop the rashes but everybody’s priority is to support me to be able to manage them and live well. I was a clinical nhs employee and would care trained, even my rashes flummoxed me. Please approach your doctors surgery and just say that this part of your life now, you’d like to self manage in the best possible way but could you be taught how to care for the years to avoid them worsening or becoming infected. As you’d like to live well. In hospital each patient would have a skincare plan in place if they had wounds, cuts and tears 😊 documenting what should be used etc x
My skin was becoming really thin and it ripped and bruised very easily. It was very embarrassing . I was on aspirin daily and fostair inhaler. I altered my aspirin to every other day and asked for a non steroid inhaler ( as I don’t have asthma) and thankfully my skin is now fully recovered . I feel many people are put on a steroid inhaler automatically when diagnosed with COPD but not always necessary unless there is asthma or asthma overlap.
I also found that skin tears ceased after I started using Trimbow. However I still get some bruising.
I have been able to get Sillicone wound dressings on prescription from my GP. This is I must add afater many wound dressings from both infected and non infected wounds caused by tearing skin on arms and legs which have left many scars. Dressings are called Cova Wound they are an absorbent pad which protects wounds from dirt and grime plus absorbent sterile and hypoallergenic. I also have had Biatain Silicone and Cutiderm all of these can be left on for 7 days before you ned to change, you can also shower and bath with them on. You can buy them yourselves which I did until last year they are expensive but well worth it. I also can get blood blisters so i cover these as well before they break down. Even with all of that in the garden season I can be seen with three pairs of trousers on two jumpers my grandsons rugby socks and then his waterproof trousers as the last topping. I forgot my gardening Jacket. Family make me go out in the garden very early before anyone else is about !!!!!!. We have a lot of Rose bushes which I love but not sure if they feel the same about me.
After a few years of bad tears on both arms and legs which have on a few times needed weekly visits from community nurses to dress them. I started to buy the dressings that the nurses use called Cova Wound they are a silicone padded dressing with the edges non rip adhesive , they can be kept on for 7 days and you can shower and bathe and they will not come off. You can purchase but they are expensive from Amazon or from Cova themselves. You must make sure that you have adhesive. I am now one of the lucky ones as my GP has agreed to supply me on prescription I now have Biatain Sillicone 7.5cm x 7.5 I also have had \Cutiderm dressings . They are all padded dressings. Practise nurse will now give them to me on repeat when i need another supply.
Sorry I kept losing posts only to find two had actually gone through.
thankyou for the info clematis, you sounds very well set up with coping with the wounds, i shall look up the dressings you mention. Ones which can stay on whilst showering and bathing sound really useful, How are they for taking them off as some dressings pull the skin off and cause more damage? Great gardening gear hehe
Sorry for the three replies I really thought I had lost them. They do not hurt in the slightest when they are being taken off in fact they are very soft more than when they went on .
I had problems with bruising at the slightest knock and skin tearing easily when I was on Seretide. My legs were also swollen and when I took off my support socks there would be a mini snow storm of shedding skin. It never occurred to me that it was the Seretide causing the problems as I'd been on it for a very long time.I was switched to Fostair last year and voila the bruising, tearing, swollen legs and flaking skin pretty much stopped.
I always made sure my arms and legs were covered for extra protection and always had dressings and plasters with me. xx
Hi Shirazmataz,
Yes pretty horrible isn’t it? Due to the steroid content in inhalers - yes.
I haven’t gone through all the responses you have had so folk may have mentioned
A/ covering up if you are working with material which may rip into the skin eg garden.
B/ If you get a skin tear then use silicone dressings to cover and then healing is fantastic- you will never knew you had a tear there afterwards. These dressings are cheap although I got mine on prescription- they are marvellous though.
C/ Try not to tear if you can help it.
Go well
Pauline
I used to be on an inhaler called Seratide, which contains a steroid. I also used to, at that time, get three corner tear wounds on my limbs, due to the slightest knocks or falling over. It was then a period of visits to the surgery nurse for treatment and dressing. I've still got the scars on arms and legs to show for it. I came off that medication a good few years ago, and my skin has definitely recovered its strength. I'm also much more careful about avoiding knocking myself, and about tripping over. So, I avoid steroid use wherever I can. For example I used to use a nasal spray which contained a steroid. I stopped that when I found out that one can have steroid induced diabetes. I am pre-diabetic. My diabetic "number" has reduced after stopping that nasal spray, but I have tried to reduce my carbs and sugar intake as well, so I'm not sure which has helped, maybe all those things.
I get similar abrasions and discoloured skin and am on aspirin but think it is also age related as my wife does not take any medication and she, too gets these abrasions and discoloured skin easily.
My skin is thinning and very crepe like in places. I also bruise easily and bruise when I haven’t bumped myself. I believe this is due to the steroids taken and aging. I moisturise morning and night. I use a cheap Nivea at night and a more expensive one with SPF of 20 during the day. X
My skin has been problematic (dry, rashes, swollen) since I was a child, I am always told it is part of being atopic, and aggravated by steroids ( inhalers, nebulizer, tablets)
Good luck
Well we learn something new everyday and didnt realise Seretide had a hand in thinning the skin. Having bronchiectasis I only use it when needed but that can sometimes be daily. This is the Manuka honey ointment that I use when skin has ripped x
Manuka
Hi,Oh, poor you. I have exactly the same problem and, I too are taking anticoagulants!
With me it's very long use of Steriod ointments - I am 63 yrs old (female) suffered severe Excema since I was 9 years .
I stopped using any Steriods applications about 35 years ago, but unfortunately the damage has been done.
My skin is so thin - a lot thinner than it should be which as you are aware is very upsetting and affects our own immune system.
I don't know about you but I feel angry that I was prescribed steroid base medication for so long.
In USA there have bee several positive outcomes in suing the manufacturers....
But that's not answering your question:
Your right, there are loads and loads of Cologen products around.
But please be careful.
My first suggestion is to visit a dermatologist. (I'm still trying to get round to booking mine!).
How long have you been prescribed steroid base medication for your Asthma?
Regarding your skin the only thing atm I can suggest is keep it constantly moisturised.
Going back to Cologens - I would really research this: Ask the Dermatologist at your appointment:
I hope this helps a bit.
X
Thankyou Booblet, been on asthma treatment for about 40 years. A good idea to see a dermatologist as this thin skin and snagging and bleeding has become a real problem.
Hi Shiraz, I would start with your GP. I have this problem and it has caused skin problems, my GP has been wonderful and has given up 3 different types of lotions which if used daily do help me. Good luck. Maximonkey.
hi, I too am covered on my arms and legs with purpura , I can no longer wear leggings , tights or socks as they cause huge amounts of purpura, I can’t wear trousers due to massive hip replacement going wrong, (7operation to try and repair it) so I have no muscle in bum and leg. I don’t knock them in any way , I also have blotches all over my arms, I don’t take blood thinner but I do use trimbow. When I first asked the dr, she said it was high dose pred, I don’t use it any more, my rheumatologist said it was overload of drug use, I no longer use any drug, only trimbow, he said it was my liver, I had all the checks, including a scan, all normal, this all started in my early 60s, hardly ‘old age related”. So where I go from here I don’t know, I’ve tried all the creams going.
Hi! Yes I’m the same. Mine is mainly caused by long term use of steroid inhalers. I’ve had many visits to minor injuries because my skin is so thin and rips easily. I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do once it gets that thin. I do use creams because my skin is also very dry.
My Skin tends to bruise more than tear. When I'm at work I wear gloves as much as I can and when I think I'm going to knock my shins I wear thin rubber shin pads.
I am so relieved to see so many people have the same problem with tearing and easily bruising skin. I thought I was the only one! I knew it was to do with long term steroid inhaler use and affect of strong antibiotics but no medical practitioner ever believes me. Sorry to hear so many of you have the same issue but so glad I not alone with this. The frustration is that nothing prevents it and GP’s don’t think it is an issues. The last massive tear on my shin was treated brilliantly with silver impregnated dressings in Spain but this doesn’t seem available to medics in the UK. I’ve tried every cream going. Elizabeth Arden 8 hour body cream is good (very expensive) and bio oil gel is useful. Also Boots specialist cream, large pump action pot, is quite good. Other cream, especially with water elements, are pretty much useless.
Good luck everyone living with this perpetual nightmare. All in one protective suit probably best solution and shin pads!!
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