Warty patches on my face and body.

[SheffieldJane]

To avoid seeing the faint exasperation on my GP's face, I have noticed a skin condition worsen over the weeks. Little, not very noticeable rough warts on my face. Accompanied by dark and light moles all over my body that have the same consistency and sometimes itch. Is this at all related to PR? Or Prednisolone? Or just another delight from the ageing process? I am loathed to distract the GP about anything unrelated to PR.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is very probably the pred but I would mention it to your doctor if you are having trouble with mole-like patches itching, if they change in any way or if a lot of new ones have appeared in a short time.

They are called keratoses and are a sign of sun-damage - and pred probably increases the risk of them forming so you should really use a high factor suncream in the sun.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

As PMRpro says, you should mention to Dr. if you have any irregularities with moles - just in case.

I have loads, always have had, neither Pred nor GCA made any difference, but I'm always very aware of them, especially when sunny.

It's probably nothing serious, but best to check sooner rather than later. Even if your GP rolls his eyes, I'm sure he'd prefer to be aware! Honest !

[Hidden]

Doctors ,now . better to be safe than sorry ! Do you have a drop in centre if you don't want to go and see your doctor .

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Jane, as the others have said, definitely worth getting the moles checked. I have quite a number over my back that itch like mad from time to time. I'm not sure whether or not they worsened during my steroid years due to either the Pred or the ageing process but I've been off Pred for 4 years now and they still itch! I've had one new appearance on my chest removed and analysed but given the all clear. The others have been diagnosed as keratosis and the Dr advised heavily moisturising my back to help.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Celtic]

Which is all very well - but I have never been able to put anything on my back! I once had a wonderful sunscreen in a spray that worked but it was taken off the market (the usual if I like something!) and my husband is useless at that sort of thing...

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

I've lost count of the times that something I have used and loved for years has been taken off the market or the product ingredients have been changed and not for the better! It is nigh on impossible to moisturise our own backs.......as for trying to get to the itch...........!

(I've lost email contact by the way, PMRpro - can't access or send messages. Just so you know.)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Celtic]

Itches are easy! That's what doors and backscratchers are for!

[paddyfields in reply to Celtic]

Long handled shoe horn for back scratching - bliss. Actually in the box with the shoe horns my local village cheapy shop actually has back scratchers.

[lesley2015]

Hi SheffieldJane

I too have had skin changes since pred's, flat oval like skin lumps, like pale moles - with almost a rough waxy texture. Nothing to worry about the doctor said, they don't itch but are unsightly.

I also have skin tags, in areas that with the high doses of steroids have caused sweating, especially neck area. My doctor froze 3 of the larger ones off (quite painful actually).

With the ongoing unpleasantness of Moonface, buffalo hump and extra weight - it is just another thing that reduces confidence.

I would get them checked just to be safe though.

I wish you well

[HeronNS]

How to moisturize your own back

huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/...

[HeronNS in reply to HeronNS]

and

youtube.com/watch?v=EEMI7vI...(Not working as expected?)

[SheffieldJane]

Genius! 😆 thanks Heron NS

[Lafontainepam1]

Yes I to have had several brown moles all dotting my back, also those rough patches here and there, a visit to my Skin Dr. Confirmed-aging causes these, I will be 67 in September and have been in the sun all my life! Lovely isn't it! But I also had a spot of Basil Cell, surface only, that I have to have scraped and burnt off. So glad I went.

[judam9]

hi @ Sheffieldjane. , yes i too am getting those scabby oval shaped little to 1/4" to 1/2 " rough wart-like lesions [for want of a better word] . they are almost impossible to "pick" off . i don't know what it's from. i first thought it was from my fungus on my toe nails , i have been treating them with 1/2 and 1/2 vinegar and water it night. and thought it could be the fungus spreading. which i heard that it could. they mostly are on my legs , arms and body. i just don't know either, i'm just happy to hear that i'm not alone. actually a GP should be able to answer that question. i was there this morning ,but never thought to ask him. the ones on my arms are smaller. so far. had one on my ear. and got most of it off. i have been wrestling with this fungus for years now. but have not had these scabby things popping -up for as long.

sooooooo any how let me know if you hear anything. thanks for writing. judam 9

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to judam9]

It's due to pred - which you'd have realised if you'd read the thread as well as the question - they are part of skin ageing and pred speeds up the ageing process. Don't pick them, they can get infected and then you have a mess!!!

[judam9]

bu the way, i've never sat int the sun, i am not a worshiper either. and when it really gets hot and humid i don't stick my nose out the door. i primarily stay in the house winter and summer so it's not from the sun. my arms and legs are also covered year round. maybe it's do to age, i was taking steroids for about 4 years, but am about off of them . 1 every other day

i am happy to hear that i'm not the only one in the world that has them , and know there name. just hope they will take leave of me soon . it could be aging also because i am looking at 82. ?????? thanks to all, judam9

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to judam9]

They are part of ageing, yes, But sun does often make them worse. But I, too, have them in places the sun never got!

[judam9]

yeah it is strange to get them where the sun never has had any contact. but i guess we are just going to have to mkae the best of a bad deal. and as my mother would have said, if that's the only problem you ever have you will be a lucky kid !

thanks for the answer. love , judam9

[Ronswife]

My dermatologist says almost everyone gets them and there is no cure but moisturizers help a little. Someone needs to figure out a cure.