Bruising

[Slosh]

Hi all, me again!

I have started bruising quite a bit - is this normal from the Pred or should I be concerned?

Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Quite normal! Pred makes the skin less resistant and pliant, I only had to be within 5 yards of a table and I bruised! You also need to be carefeul not to knock yourself as well, the skin seems to tear more easily, and I found plasters damaged the skin as well. If you need to use them a lot you can get some from surgery or pharmacist that are gentler on your skin when you take them off!

Many also find that the tiny blood vessels in the eyes are likely to burst, which is a bit disconcerting but nothing to worry about!

Try using a gentle cream after a shower or bath -Double base is good - to keep skin moistured and more supple. Arnica cream is good once a bruise has appeared.

Be more aware of the sun as well, you are more likely to burn.

Just as you thought you had everything under control..............!

[Slosh in reply to DorsetLady]

Hahaha - yes Dorsetlady. Although I was going along nicely tapering down and everything was under control - I have hit a bumb! Gone back up to 15mg from 12.5 - but even 15 doesn't seem enough now.

I did get a little burned last weekend - could that have caused a flare?

Thanks for the advice on my skin. I will try get some Doublebase - my skin is very dry as well anyway.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Slosh]

I doubt if the sun caused a flare, probably just a coincidence, but just something to be aware of with the summer coming along!

Sorry about your flare, but hopefully you will get it under control quickly. Take care.

[Slosh in reply to DorsetLady]

Oh right. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi DorsetLady.

I too bruise a lot more easily. Aveeno cream is also very pleasant on dry sensitve skin (available on UK scripts) Thanks for the heads up on sun, I burn easily any way, so will be more vigilant, also about easily wounding myself.

Ps bought the book you recommend a mine of useful information. Cheers

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Pred can make you burn more easily and a high factor sunscreen is recommended - some people even were handed a script in the past.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Yes PMRPro I used to work in a pharmacy and indeed high factor sunscreen is still given out on script at docs discretion (it being a side effect of meds) though I just found out about pred and sun. Thank you for mentioning the need to use high factor sunscreens 25 is ok for most people but script for sunscreen is usually 50. Or total sunblock

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

I've still got the scars on my right lower arm where I just brushed against a radiator in the villa when we were on holiday in summer 2014 - it took the t layer off!. Because I still on high doses of Pred it bled like I've never seen before - my son was horrified until I explained about the Pred. Because we were on our way out for dinner I put an ordinary plaster on it not a good idea when I came to take it off. Whether it was because we were in a hot climate or the plaster I'm not sure but it was a mess for a long time - which is why I mentioned them to Slosh. Got mine on prescription - Mepora Ultra dressings. They don't pull at your skin when you take them off.

[Slosh in reply to DorsetLady]

Wow - thanks for that advice.

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

In many cases it is the adhesive backing on the dressing which causes the skin to either blister or tear. Mepore and Melolin non adhesive can be bought individually over the pharmacy counter, you can usually cut them to size without compromising sterile status. Thanks for mentioning this DosetLady

[piglette]

I bruise at the slightest touch. You can see my osteopath's fingerprints after a visit to see her even!

[Ventdunord]

Morning DL,

Re skin problems. I believe Pred. does thin the skin and causes bad bruising, however as with most people of 65+ some thinning of the skin is probably also age-related.

For skin tears I found that a spray-on 'Liquid Plaster' is good' to be applied after bleeding has stopped. It lasts for several days and is shower proof. Wears way gradually and obviously doesn't look good for a while, but far better than conventional plasters for most cuts and grazes I found.

Martin