Does the paper-like skin, presumably a side effect of prednisone, return to normal after weaning from the prednisone?

[nessonm]

I've been at 3.5 to 5 mgs for about a year now, and if the answer to my question is negative, then I won't be so compulsive about tapering. The last time I tried to slow taper from 3.5 down to 3, I had a mild flair and went back to 5, which blocked the symptoms. My main complaint about PMR now is the unaesthetic arm bruising and, more importantly, the tearing of patches of my epidermis from scrapes that would have barely caused a scratch in pre-PMR days.

[Joaclp]

I'm answering with the proviso that I have not yet been diagnosed definitely with PMR and have been on prednisone for 15 years for other conditions. I have thin papery skin that gets capillary (red) bruises: they sometimes turn into wounds that heal fairly quickly. I use Vitamin K cream or arnica, successfully, to treat the bruises. I'm not sure how relevant this is to your question, since I have switched from 7mg pred daily to an equuvalent dose of hydrocortisone. My dermatologist says the skin will not recover, for what it is worth.

Good luck deciding.

[Purplecrow]

Hi, my experience...the thin skin seems to improve after a period of time. I am 5 years on this journey, and the worst skin issues were mid way. 2-3 years. I seem to have normalized, even at my current dose of 6 mg prednisone. I do take a vitamin packet with extra vit E, fish oil, and extra vit b.

[Joaclp]

Oops. I mean equivalent.

[Constance13]

We wish!!!

[chillipeppergirl32]

I have only very recently started on my Pred Journey ( diagnosed in June2018) and have looked into the best supplements for skin and hair . I now take biotin so will be interesting to see if it helps at all .

I use MooGoo products for my skin ( an Australian company but have some outlets in the UK and a UK website ) their skin creams are fabulous.

Hope this helps , 🙂

[chillipeppergirl32 in reply to chillipeppergirl32]

(Should clarify I was diagnosed with a PMR and GCA in June 2018 )

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It does get better at lower doses, and after you stop Pred, but I doesn’t return to as it was pre Pred. Whether that due to the drug and/or the aging process - considering most of us are on the medication for about 5 years I not sure!

I find my forearms are still a bit susceptible to grazing (they did look awful at times) but my recent knee surgery has healed perfectly!

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

Hurrah for your clever knee!!

I have only been on PMR doses and so far the thin skin effect has not really happened. I am always using moisturising creams, face feet and whole body. Could this have saved me?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

Probably! But I guess it’s likely to be worse when you’re on silly doses like me!

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

Never say never argh!

I am so glad that you are in recovery mode! Your Country needs you DL. 🙏xx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

It must be desperate then! Ohh, it is 😳

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

Britain’s last and best hope. I would vote for you. 🤗

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh Lordy we would be in the mire then!

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to DorsetLady]

No, Lady Dorset. We're in the mire here on the west side of the Atlantic. Would that we could install you . At the very least, we'd have someone sane...or just a normal level of insane...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Oh I think we’re in the mire as well - maybe just not as deep as you! 🤔

My late hubby always said he was always in it (with me) it was just the depth that varied! And he didn’t say mire! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to DorsetLady]

The only thing I can add to that is that the stink of mendacity thickens...

[Purplecrow in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Yes! What you say! Sane would be good, I wouldnt even be picky😕

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

I have no thin skin problems either - but I NEVER let soap come into skin contact except the foam that runs down when you wash your hair in the shower If I do - the top layer of skin shrivels up and flakes! Which is as good a reason as any not to...

[yogabonnie]

My skin is terribly thin now and horrid tears happen if I bump something. It does take quite a while to heal if torn. The bruises appear out of nowhere but heal up and none of them are painful. I was shocked at how quickly this happened. (8 months in and down to 8 mg.) BUT I was so in AWE of the appearance of soft beautiful skin the first 6 months or so. I had EXTREMELY dry skin all my life (think alligator) and hated it and all the cream in the world didn't help (although mosquitos didn't like me!!! always that silver lining!) and perhaps the state of your "original skin" (haha) is key to what goes on. I hope a little thickness returns someday..but not the dryness. My hair is also now baby-fine and thinner..but still okay as it was really thick before. I'm taking Biotin too. Bad skin but NO PMR pain..and isn't that lucky!

[chillipeppergirl32 in reply to yogabonnie]

You could be right, it may depend on how your skin is to start off with & maybe age is a factor too , who knows ... .

I have really good skin and I’m trying to do everything I can to keep it that way .. time will tell ..

[piglette]

I was told by my doctor that your skin never really recovers once it is thin, although some people say theirs does. Mine is very thin and my GP was quite worried about it, not that she knew what to do! I also have purpura and bruising all the time. I have a huge purpura spot today that just appeared this morning it must be nearly an inch long with lots of smaller ones from the top of my arm right down to my hand.

[HeronNS]

healthline.com/health/thin-...

[HeronNS]

Coincidentally read a newspaper article this morning by a dietitian discussing whether food or supplements help skin. The consensus seems to be, concerning biotin, is it will only help if you are deficient in it. If you already have good levels, but still have the skin issues, it won't make a difference. The article, by the way, concluded that the right kind of food and a few of the supplements probably do help a bit. Makes sense. We are what we eat! Whatever builds collagen seems to be the key. As the article may be behind a pay wall I'll copy and paste part of it: theglobeandmail.com/life/he...

Water. Drink 2.2 litres (women) or 3 litres (men) of water daily, and more if you exercise. Water helps keep your skin moist, delivers nutrients to your skin and flushes out toxins.

Linoleic acid. An essential fatty acid abundant in nuts and seeds, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and canola oil, linoleic acid is used to make ceramides, fats that help build a strong skin barrier. Research also suggests that higher intakes may reduce skin aging.

Vitamin C. The nutrient is used to build collagen in the skin and helps prevent skin damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Exceptional sources include bell peppers, citrus fruit, strawberries, kiwifruit, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and tomato juice.

Vitamin E. As with vitamin C, this antioxidant helps neutralize free radicals generated from sun exposure. Sunflower seeds, almonds, avocado, wheat germ, sunflower oil and grapeseed oil are good sources.

Selenium. The mineral, found in Brazil nuts, mushrooms, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, turkey and seafood, protects against free radical damage in skin cells and is also thought to guard against skin cancer.

Omega-3 fats. Eating fatty fish such as salmon, trout and sardines at least twice a week provides omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to preserve collagen and reduce inflammation caused by ultraviolet rays.

Flavonoids. Research suggests that flavonoids in green tea and cocoa powder help guard against sun-induced skin aging by reducing inflammation, improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles.

[chillipeppergirl32 in reply to HeronNS]

That’s a fabulous bit of info . Maybe I don’t need to take the biotin then, just stick to the healthy food . ...

[HeronNS in reply to chillipeppergirl32]

There's a lot more info in the article if you can access it.

[chillipeppergirl32 in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks, I just have ,and I have saved it for reference . I don’t usually jump on the supplement band wagon but I’m just getting my head round this PMR & it’s very hard to resist throwing everything at it 🙂.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to chillipeppergirl32]

In general, apart from vit D, it is felt that most supplements only benefit the pocket of the manufacturer! Otherwise you can get most from diet if you select well. Vit D not though - sun or, more reliably, supplements.

[HeronNS in reply to PMRpro]

The list in the article actually points out the foods which could be beneficial, not supplements.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

Exactly!