Vonne

[vonne123]

Hi, I am in Australia and have had PMR for 7 months also on Prednisolone I am down to 13 grms

per day, no pain at all BUT I have a problem with my skin which if merely scratched peels of, mostly on my arms I am covered in cuts, and they take a long time to heal. Any one else have this problem ?????

[Annodomini]

Oh yes, I've had this problem and someone on this site recommended moisturising with Doublebase lotion which keeps the skin supple. The good news is that I've been down to 1mg of pred though I'm now back up to 5mg and the skin isn't bruising or grazing nearly so much as it was about a year ago. I don't know if this moisturising lotion is available in Australia but your GP ought to be able to recommend something equally effective. I know it could be difficult in Australia, but try to keep your arms out of the sun!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Vonne,

Yes do get same problem, Prednisolone does thin the skin unfortunately. My right arm continually looks like I've been self-harming, not a good look when you are 67 and dressed-up! You can get a mild hydrocortisone cream from the doctor, which does help although it seem a bit odd to be using more steroid based treatment. The surgery can also supply soft dressings, I find that ordinary plasters (band aid) also tear the skin. I find that a mild antiseptic cream like Savlon (not sure of brand name in Australia) is okay too. Arnica cream works quite well on bruising. DorsetLady

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hello Vonne

Many of us experience this common side effect of Prednisolone - easy bruising and breaking of skin. A few years ago my podiatrist recommended Doublebase Cream for the dry skin on the soles of my feet. I thought I'd try it on other areas of skin thinned and damaged from the steroids - the slightest knock would immediately bleed. I noticed an almost immediate improvement in the dryness of my skin which in turn helped to protect it from further easy damage. It is manufactured in the UK so I don't know whether it is available in Australia. If not, the main ingredients are liquid paraffin and isopropyl myristate - perhaps your doctor can recommend something equivalent. Showering instead of bathing can help, as can avoiding as many of the additives in soap/fragrances as you can.

[vonne123]

Thanks for the information I will try to get Doublebase cream, thank goodness winter is on its way here, I can

wear long sleaves and hide the scars'.

As for the bathing we don't have a bath it is showering only. Thanks to all for your advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to vonne123]

One version of the doublebase genus of creams can be used instead of soap - because soap is a real enemy of delicate skin! Even if there isn't doublebase or diprobase you will have an equivalent that is prescribed for patients with severe eczema - just ask the pharmacist.

[polkadotcom]

I find the plasters marked 'for sensitive skin' are ok at present, they come off without tearing the skin. I do keep packets of Melolin-type dressings (most places do their own version) with a knitted fabric which peels off easily. I was buying so many of these at one point that I thought I was keeping them going single-handed! It's much better now that I have stabilized on the 5mg dose.