BRUISING ?: Hi all, Is there anyone... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,270 members66,033 posts

BRUISING ?

hectorriva profile image
22 Replies

Hi all, Is there anyone else out there who is getting bruises on their arms and back of hands due to their steroid medication ?

Written by
hectorriva profile image
hectorriva
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
22 Replies
stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

Bruises are common, I often catch my arms on door handl, how ever slight results in a bruise

Catch thighs on chairs is another way to receive bruising .

beatles profile image
beatles

Yupp!! Got one on my arm and one on my wrist. Prob. Prednisilone and/or Seretide.

I wouldn't worry too much unless they persist or begin to bleed.

Cheers Adrian

zaney profile image
zaney

Yep keep getting lots , not an attractive look . ;-)

SecondLife profile image
SecondLife

Not attractive, hubby insists on telling people who don't know us that I keep hitting him lol. It only becomes a problem if you knock it so hard you damage it as it may take longer to heal, hubby's suddenly found that plasters take the skin off when you remove them so cannot have them any more.

martin1945 profile image
martin1945 in reply to SecondLife

Hi SecondLife......I had the same problems with "bandaids" but went over to Elastoplast Non-stick dressings....problem solved!

Tetrazzini profile image
Tetrazzini

Sadly yes - but restricted to arms and hands. I take Serettide and Tiotropium and am happy that they have enabled me to remain stable for the last five years. Everything seems to have a side-effect to counteract the good that is done and while it looks horrible, it is a price I am happy tp pay.

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon

Yes. Hands and arms mainly. I gave up bothering as any slight knock causes it. Car engines are awkward to work on the best of times so after doing it I look like I've been through the wars ! :)

dukes profile image
dukes

Welcome to 'The Black Hand Gang' !

Yes my husband gets pretty bad black/blue/red bruises on his arms, he only has to catch a door and he has a really nasty bruise. We have found that an ointment called arnica helps to reduce the bruising but does not get rid of it properly!! Take care, TAD xx

Grannyof6 profile image
Grannyof6

Yes everywhere, and usually have no idea what has caused them, even get them on fingers and feet. I have given up try to hide them, just say my poor old husband beets me up!

Nikkers profile image
Nikkers

Steroids cause thinning of the skin, which after a while can be as thin as tissue paper. Just the slightest touch or knock can cause quite severe bruising and even take the skin off. Putting a plaster on such a wound will only make it worse by likely pulling the skin off with it when it's removed. I personally don't think that steroids give enough benefit to compensate for this much painful injury to my skin and have long since refused to use them. My GP always gives me an alternative which work just as well. On stoppage your skin will revert to its normal condition.

mskpjb profile image
mskpjb in reply to Nikkers

Hi Nikkers, I`m really curious to know what your doctor gives you as an alternative to steroids. I absolutely hate the blessed things so it would be great avoid them Regards, Sheila

Beetroothead profile image
Beetroothead in reply to Nikkers

I would be interested to know the name of the alternative which your Dr gives you in place of steroids.Thanks. Beetroothead.

hectorriva profile image
hectorriva in reply to Beetroothead

Hi Beetroothead, I didnt say my Dr gives me anything in place of steroids. Maybe its Nikkers comment you are referring to !

peege profile image
peege in reply to Beetroothead

Me too Nikkers! Fed up with the ugly bruising on lower arms and legs. P

Eve3066 profile image
Eve3066

Yes all the time

out-for-lunch profile image
out-for-lunch

yes, lovely deep purple ones that seems to appear from nowhere - I never remember knocking myself. They're , often symmetrically round, which is rather fascinating. When it first started I had to look up things like Roundworm on the net, as you do ...... just in case.

It's no problem, just a combination of the normal signs of aging & a side effect of Seretide 500.

Small price to pay in my opinion. I'd rather cope with the insignificant side-effects of growing old with a med that I know improves my quality of life than to suffer the consequence of not growing old & of not taking the med.

Simples.

hectorriva profile image
hectorriva

Thanks to all of you for you prompt replies. Each of you have put my mind at ease.. My original concern was ; If thats happening on the outside , whats going on on the inside where things cannot be seen. Now Im totally at ease with it

a big thank you to one and all for your responses..

onamission profile image
onamission

I have had these purple bruises on the back of my hands, arms and face for a long time before I started on the steroids I find when I go in the sun I bruise more I was told by a consultant that the steroids were causing me to bruise, painful joints feeling sick and dizzy I'm even thinking now the next time I get a flair up I'm going to just take my antibiotic.

The Steriods will cause the body to become short of some vitamins and minerals. You may want to check the specific on the steriods you are taking.

The most common ones to worry about are Vitamin B12, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin C (this will affect bruising), Vitamin D and Zinc

Louisiana profile image
Louisiana

I do bruise easily so have never thought that I might be bruising because of the steroids....interesting. I just notice the bruises are more purple than they used to be, but I don't have a problem with them. When I have an infection I don't know what I would do without the steroids. Also, my skin is paper thin so any little knock makes a mark....the joys of ageing :):):)

dwitt profile image
dwitt

I use Plavix and baby aspirin - for plaque build-up and for my perrihial artery disease,. I have similiar black and blue issues. I don't think my COPD medications spiriva is sterroid base but advair maybe. Point being maybe you have several medications that can cause your issues.