This may be a bit off the wall, but since coming off steroids my skin has become very itchy. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

[NickyD]

[Rachaely]

I didn't have that particular problem with steroids, but I have got eczema following IVIg a few weeks ago - finally starting to clear up now though. I think our immune systems can just get a bit sensitive, so hopefully your skin will settle down soon. Something soothing like E45 lotion might help ...

[NickyD]

Hi Rachaely

What is strange is that the itching is on different parts of my skin each day. It started on my back and I thought I had a rash but that went after a day. Then it was my legs, then arms, then neck - all at different times. Today it is my face and scalp. I was going to get E45 lotion - thanks for that - you are a star.

NickyD

[ejdowski in reply to NickyD]

Hi there, I had been on 5mg of pregnisolone a day for 9 yrs for skin itch. Doc should have not kept me on that long. A month ago I notice how just the slightest scratch would peel off my skin and so much blood comes from minor wounds. Went to the doc for that so now been coming off the steriods. But I have the same symptoms as you. Itch in all those places at different times too. It gets so bad that I have to scratch to get relief . Besides being itchy, parts of my left arm feels like a burning sensation. Was so bad last night, I didn't get to bed till 7am and resorted to a higher dose of preg again, what I didn't want to do. Have you advice? Any news from your doctor about it? Hope you get better, John

[AnthonyHeard Administrator ITP Support Association]

I did not get any itching after coming off steroids but I did notice that my skin is thinner which is one of the side effects of steroid usage. I did get a terrible reaction to Azathioprine which included a rash and plenty of itchiness, then I also got shingles when I was on steroids in December 2009. I am just so grateful to have been off any medication since August 2010.

[NickyD]

Ok, so tell me more about your skin being thinner? What does it look like. I too had shingles in the midst of all the treatment last year. How long did the rash last?

[AnthonyHeard Administrator ITP Support Association in reply to NickyD]

Hello Nicky, sorry I have not replied earlier but have had a rotten cold/cough/virus for the last week. Anyway, the skin thinning was something that I did not actually notice myself. It was pointed out to me by my specialist when I went for my 6 monthly check and he showed me that the skin on the back of my hands was thinner because of steroid use . He suggested that the skin was slightly transluscent but I would not have spotted it myself. I have now however spotted it when talking with other ITP patients who have been on long term steroid use. With the rash from shingles it went on for quite a while and I had it and the pain from it for about 3 months, albeit the itching still goes on to this day (although no longer any pain just a bit uncomfortable ).

[NickyD in reply to AnthonyHeard]

Hi

Sorry to hear you have been unwell. Did your count go down as a result of your cold? Are you going to the ITP conference in May? Perhaps I can look at the back of your hands then.

Take care and get well. Nicky

[AnthonyHeard Administrator ITP Support Association in reply to NickyD]

I imagine that my counts did go down as I was very very tired but I am now feeling all ok again. As it happens I am having my 1/2 yearly check up next Monday 30th April so it will be interesting to see what the numbers are then. Fingers crossed. In a way I wish that my specialist had not pointed out the back of my hand skin thinning because I would never have noticed it otherwise. The back of my hands will be on display on May 12th .

[NickyD in reply to AnthonyHeard]

I am still on the merry go round of going to hospital twice a week for blood tests and seeing a consultant every week. If I have any treatment it is another trip/s to the hospital - so for you to have half yearly check ups is something I dream about. Please consider yourself very lucky.

[salmagal]

hi yes have itching also skin on my lips keeps peeling i have stopped steroids and IVIg but now started eltrombo and also ramipril ranitidine and tranexamic acid so it gets you dont know what causes what but have to keep trying just looking forward to coming of all this medication

[NickyD]

HI Salmagal As you say you just have to keep tyring things. What is your count and what is your history with ITP?

[swheels]

I didn't get any itching but a consultant once said as prednisilone affects the nerves you can get kind of irritable in a nervy way, like fumbling with your fingers and edgy. I wonder if its a very minor nerve reaction. When I was little, I dont know why a few years after I was taken off the steroids I started picking the skin around my nails. I'd never felt the urge to do it before. This is a kind of nervous reaction created by the steroids. I can control it now but still get the urge to pull off any loose skin around my fingers and thumbs. A bit like when someone is peeling after sunburn and people feel the need to peel it for you lol. Also not sure if the skin on the back of my hands is thinner but I know it went kind of leathery as the nurses taking my blood found it hard to pierce the skin with the needle when taking blood.

[Bluerobin]

Yes someone I know has this issue too

[tgk62]

I was only on Prednisone for 6 day, but a few days after they took me off, I notice a water blister type rash & moderate itching on one elbow. That elbow was recovering from a rather huge bruise & the rash was right of that whole area. It's been 3 week & the rash almost gone.