Paper thin skin?

[tricia51]

When wasI first diagnosed in 2006 I was prescribed spiriva and seretide, then, 2 years ago I was told that the seretide had been replaced by forstair. I had always got on well using seretide and was a little disappointed when it was replaced. ( no one told me why, I still don't know). what I do know is that in the last 2 years the skin on my arms has become paper thin. so thin in fact that I am continually covered in little bruises and should I be unlucky enough to catch myself, my skin rips apart and I'm left with a nasty cut that takes ages to heal. Does anyone out there suffer the same and have you any suggestions about what can help.

[HungryHufflepuff]

I too was on an inhaler that worked really well for me, and I was the most well I’d been for years, then it was taken away and replaced with Fostair which made me so ill. Now I’m on Spiriva and Seretide. Sometimes when a medication helps, you can put up with the side effects. I know all medications have their fair share of unpleasant side effects but with Fostair I had so many side effects and I just couldn’t breathe either. I don’t know what you can do to help matters other than ask to change from Fostair to something else. Wishing you all the best.

[BrianTaylor]

I have this problem. Apparently it’s caused by the steroids. I’m now on Trimbow but I think the damage is already done on my arms 🤨

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

My skin is exactly the same, it is really thin and like you I bruise easily. It also takes longer for a cut to heal. My GP just gave me cetraban cream. Have a good day and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

[Help_61]

I also have bad bruising and cuts from the slitest bump I use coconut oil which heals pretty quick

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to Help_61]

Thanks I will try that. Have a great day and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

[sparkleface]

My husband has the same issue. He went onto fostair because he was getting a sore mouth from his other inhaler. Now when he does any manual work with his dominant hand he is covered in reddy purple patches where the blood pools under the skin and bleeds really easily . The doctor did say it was the steroid inhaler making his skin thin. But you are right he has only noticed this on fostair!

[Preshous]

Sad to say I'm exactly the same, I bruise just by scratching my arms and can peel the skin off my elbows just by looking at a sharp corner and not know it's happened until I see the blood dripping on something.

[monju]

#me too .

[Matilda_1922]

I was changed from seretide to fostair about 2 years ago. I have noticed how my skin has changed. Just thought it was the aging process.

[Nanapuff]

Yes me too, also the skin on my arms painful to touching! Putting on skin lotion- necessary because skin is so dry - is a very painful process...” bruises “ everywhere, but not from injuries, they just appear spontaneously... lower legs are a mess too.. I was told it’s caused by prednisolone.. I have Trimbow and ventolin inhalers

[Hacienda]

Me Too, I know it's the Steroids in the inhalers and topped up with Prednisolone when needed. We have to accept it, as without Steroids were would we be!! I use a good Body cream and Savlon on my Elbows. xxx

[CyprusPat]

Know exactly what you're going through and I think it's any steroid inhaler. I'm going to try the coconut oil though failing that I was thinking about bubble wrap 😂😂

[MaggieB66]

I have the same, now on Flutiform which is better than Seratide for me. I put it down to being on a steroid inhaler for over 30 years.

[syntax]

I do not know about Forstair,but agree with Brian Taylor,that

it was the Prednisalone which did it to me.

[Croydonia]

Same here. I can’t wear skirts very much now, big old bruises and purple patches on my legs.

[Samwing]

My skin, particularly on my legs, is v thin, bruising easily & burns quickly in the sun. It is the steroids but we need them! I slather on E45 cream daily, take care in the sun & do feel embarrassed sometimes by the bruising!

[Claudine]

I have Bronchiectasis and was also on Seretide and Spiriva but changed to Duaklir because of the steroid element. I have colonised pseudomonas and the consultant said the steroid wasn't helping me. Not familiar with Fostair that I've seen mentioned. The Duaklir is easier, used twice a day before cleaning teeth, and apparently it is cheaper! My GP was happy with this! However, the thin skin is still a problem and I'm left with visible scars when the skin is ripped. However, hey, I haven't had a chest infection (for two years now (says she crossing her fingers) so I'm coping.

[Mozzer1953]

I have the same trouble and when I do get a cut it pours with blood. As for the bruising it looks like I've been hit with a hammer.

[Grayjay]

I am now on a non Steroid inhaler SPIOLTO RESPIMAT. My skin has improved a bit since but as said earlier on in the post "the damage is done". I also take WARFARIN which doesn't help..I've learned to protect my arms from the sun and cover them up whilst doing things like gardening etc. Get some protective sleeves to slip on when doing things. ( Ebay)..I use Aloe Vera gel to rub on to the bruising. Good luck.

[Dmactds]

I don't really believe it's from any of the medicine you're taking, I remember my grandmother, in her 60s/70s with very thin skin about 60 years ago, always getting bruised and little cuts here and there. I think it's called "old age"....

[frose in reply to Dmactds]

According to my consultant its steroids in the inhaler (mine is spiromax duoresp). Besides, thinning skin started in my 40s - hardly old age territory!

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Dmactds]

I’m in my early 40s ... but I remember when I thought 40 was old. So depending on your age yes I guess I am old. (Oh my goodness when did that happen 😱)

[WheezyAnne]

It is a well known side effect of steroids, be it oral or inhaled steroid. All the inhalers mentioned are steroid inhalers, or combined steroid inhalers. These side effects are mentioned in the leaflet which comes with your medication. I have been on steroids in some form or another for about 50 years and have thin skin, bruising, cataracts (sorted) and Osteoporosis. I am still here though. I have no suggestions, apart from keep your skin well moisturised and protect against sun damage. I also had strong steroid creams for my Eczema, which luckily has calmed down. Since reducing my oral steroids I have not bruised quite as much. Locum GP recommended keeping out of the sun from 10am to 4pm when the sun is strongest. The idea is to find the lowest dose of steroids to control your symptoms.

[watergazer]

Same here- I get lots of unexplained bruising especially on my legs however it's only recently I have noticed the paper thin skin on my legs. I moisturise every day now and even twice on my legs and there seems to be a slight improvement on the skin quality. At the moment I use Childs farm as I buy it for my grandchildren. However it's also a symptom of old age as I remember my dad's paper thin skin on his legs. I don't know how old you are but it's a double whammy for me- inhalers/steroids and age. x

[HummingbirdM]

I too have thin skin and bruise easy I have the Sirdupla inhaler

[flicky1]

I had thinning skin and bruising when I was on Seretide - only for a year. As I was advised by a specialist GP that those with COPD should only be on a steroid inhaler if they have an asthma element, which I don't. After changing to a non-steroid inhaler, my skin has returned to normal and I mostly stay well.

[santisuk in reply to flicky1]

That is certainly the recommendation for bronchiectasis, but the bronchiectasis recommendations seem to perhaps imply that your gp should be adding bronchiectasis to his asthma exception "Do not routinely offer inhaled corticosteroids to patients with bronchiectasis without other indications (such as ABPA, chronic asthma, COPD and inflammatory bowel disease)."*

I stopped taking puffs on Symbicort inhalers last year, a few months before I read that, and have not noticed any negative impacts, but did go back on it for a couple of weeks once during an infection and found that it seemed to make my breathing a little deeper/cleaner/easier and I guess I might do it again on a short term basis only.

I have not noticed skin thinning of the impact others report here, having taken Symbicort and its corciscosteroid content (4 puffs a day for about 4 years) and 4 months of prednisolone (8 x 5g a day) before that. Maybe a bit on my shins where grazing form rambling through rough country leaves me with a few scrapes that now seem to hang around a few weeks instead of a few days. Guess I'm just lucky.

For people who have difficulty with other inhalers, Symbicort might be one to consider as an alternative; I certainly felt very at ease with that aspect of my drug regimen. It might be more expensive than other inhalers though, so maybe difficult to get on national health schemes like NHS; an inhaler costs about GBP 30/ US$ 40 at current ex rates in Thailand (20% cheaper pre-Brexit) where I bought at discount pharmacies over the counter - for a 130 dose tube which lasted me about 25 days.

*source: British Thoracic Society Guidelines for Bronchiectasis in Adults (2019)

[Jan_m]

Me too, I’m on Spiriva and Fostair Next, I’ve only had the bruising since being on the Fostair x

[mikeadams51]

Yes i am the same. I was diagnosed with copd in 2007 and given seretide and spiriva and still take it today. I tried forstair but made me more SOB. Seretide has not been dropped. The reason given to me for forstair is that it’s newer and contains less steroids. However if forstair is working for you keep at. As for the arms I believe it’s down to age and steroids. Good luck

[consul1 in reply to mikeadams51]

My gp tried to change my seretide for fostaire but when I was in hospital with influenza a they tried me on fortaire but it didn't suit so was changed back to seretide, when I asked the pharmasist at the surgery why they wanted me to try fostaire again she said it was cost !

[hallentine47]

I am just the same and being on Riveroxaban as well means that when I cut or scratch myself it takes forever to stop bleeding and heal. I am also on prednisolone and antibiotics permanently so its a nightmare but what else can we do without theses meds?

[carol59]

I was on fostair and told the doctor about my skin but it was only down my left side is she said it was with my age but I was only 57 I wondered why she changed my inhalers

[judes]

I don’t use steroid inhalers but do take oral steroids and have done for some time.

The skin on my arms is paper thin and very dry, and itchy. I’m always knocking them on some thing and my right arm seems constantly bruised. Doesn’t help that I take warfarin as well.

As for the old age, please I’m not that old!!

😛🙂

[SquirrelsHolt]

OMG 😲 !!! Just how many members have agreed with you tricia51 . Add my name to it as well and I have been known to cut myself on something so silly and something that a"normal" person,would not be left with any mark. If it bleeds then a.little cut will seem to bleed for ages too. Well,not much we can do but I've read a member here,years ago,used the crepe bandages for your arms/legs to protect their forearms when gardening and such like.

[BuoyantCat]

Although I don’t have a resolution to your skin problems. I want you to know that my father suffered with this. I believe it had something to do with the oxygen he was on. Google nutrition a whole plant diet and see if there is anything you can eat that will help with this. My prayers are with you and I know how lonely it feels when one thinks that they are all alone with their suffering. You are not alone. If I find any information I will send it to you. I am starting Palliative care so that someone can get all my doctors on the same page. If you haven’t availed yourself of that I would highly recommend that you tell your doctor you want it. I believe you will get an answer. Keep pushing the doctor

[MacColl]

My skin was quite normal with no sagging, wrinkles or bruises etc.

In late 2015 I got U. Colitis & Sepsis, and was given IV steroids and antibiotics for a week in hospital, and came home on a 9 week course of steroid tablets. They caused quite severe side effects including back pain and distension/bloating, and took months to go.

Within weeks though, I noticed the purple bruising and what I could only describe as almost like 'the stuffing gone from my arms'.

Once back on my feet, I found that the slightest knock would cause skin to peel back and bleed. I had to use cohesive bandage as a plaster would just lift my skin off. I have some noticeable white scars on my arms now.

My consultant GE denied it was the drugs I'd been on!

Fingers crossed, the colitis is in remission now!

It was almost two years later that I found I'd been right to suspect the drugs/steroids.

I also found that the psoriasis that had been under control for many years, suddenly came back with a vengeance (another auto immune problem, probably triggered by the colitis) - and that needs a steroid based application to help clear it, along with UVB light therapy in carefully spaced spells. I did cover my arms up though because there's only my elbows affected with psoriasis, so it helps protect the skin on my arms.

Then last year, I developed asthma, and although they did try four different steroid inhalers, all caused the same side effects to begin - seems I can't tolerate steroids.

I do manage one puff of Seretide 50 each day though ...not really enough, but as much as I can take.

My arms do still bruise with purple splotches if knocked slightly, and also bleed if I'm not careful. Slightly better than it was was, but I think the damage is done.

I had best results with Cabot Phosolipids cream & lotion, but it's a US brand, so costly to have delivered to the UK. The other good one has been Balneum which moisturises and also helps with the itchiness on my arms.

[Tree20862]

My skin is the same. When I first noticed it I was in daily steroids by mouth, too. Although I have not been on steroids steadily for the last couple of years, my skin is still fragile. My dad's is, too. He is on cold inhaler and seizure medication. My mom blames the seizure meds. I blame all meds.

[bobbyfloyd]

I am on spiriva, ventolin, and symbicort. i to have thin skin and bruise very easy and am also black and blue, doctor said it is the steroids doing this but cannot give up symbicort, on the matter of the others they try every time i have a meds review they try and get me off symbicort but i refuse every time, i tell them it is my body and my choice what medication suits me, i do know that they try and get people to take a medication that is cheaper, my answer to them is i worked all my life and will not change my meds, they dont like it but that's life, they have not got problems breathing like we do,

[andymowen]

me too....I was on Spiriva and Seretide and then a while ago I was prescribed fostair...the skin on my arms is very thin and cuts and bruises very easily, however, thankfully I heal quickly and in fairness it doesn't worry me too much....my breathing is pretty good and I feel well, bearing in mind I am 74 years young....enjoy plenty of exercise and fresh air etc. take care …..and keep smiling !

[Dragonmum]

I'm the same, but in other respects I find fostair to be very effective - I suppose everyhing has side-effects. I use Arnicare on the bruises which works well but then another pops up.

[Whitechinchilla]

I only ever thought it was caused by taking steroids. I have a very active life with an allotment, a patio and a back garden so am always bumping into or lifting something heavy and always covered in bruises and scratches.

Of course some think it is just associated with getting older, which everyone does. If I am socialising than I cover the most prominent ones with tinted make up, though I don’t have a similar solution for the men here sadly🤣🤣 well you could always borrow your partners male up???🤣

[muddleaged]

It would be nice to blame the meds/steroids/inhalers, but spouse has the same thin skin and uses none of these. I'm afraid it's old age! A bit of inattention and carelessness may be a factor, too.

[flicky1 in reply to muddleaged]

Yes, skin does thin as you get older, but I am not that old yet and my skin only became thin and easily bruised when I was on a steroid inhaler. Since I came off after the steroid inhaler, which I was only on for one year, my skin has gone back to normal. Thus in my case it was definitely a side effect of the inhaler. I know people who are older and on steroids who suffer terribly from bruising and thin skin - more than I have ever seen on people of a similar age that are not on steroids.

I think it is important to recognise the difference between skin thinning as a result of ageing and skin thinning that is due to taking steroids, and that those people who are on steroids but don't need to be are having to experience unnecessary side effects.

[Jehinch]

Hi. I suffer too. On Fostair and Spiriva Respimat. Its those damn steroids! Thinking of buying protective sleeves as fed up with bruises and skin tears. Had two on shin that became infected. No fun. It seems we cannot do anything about it apart from E45 cream daily. I think it helps a bit but still get bruises appear from nowhere.