Dry, flaky skin

[NursePeggy]

Have been on Pred for 4.5 years for PMR. In the last few months my skin has become very dry and flaky. If I wear black underwear it looks horrible as though I have dandruff ! I am now reducing from 6.5 mg to 6.00 mg, the lowest I have managed to get to. I put copious amounts of cream on, which helps for a few hours. Is this a side effect from the Pred and does anyone else have the same problem ?

[SheffieldJane]

Mainly on my feet. No amount of cream lasts long. In the summer this becomes bad Psoriasis. I use body lotions and moisturise shampoos etc. There is a sense that one is constantly battling dryness. The doctor will give you an ointment on prescription, but you still have to apply it several times a day.

[NursePeggy in reply to SheffieldJane]

My feet seem to be ok as far as dry skin. My face is also ok, presumably because I moisturise it and wear a tinted moisturiser daily as well. But my whole body including legs sheds tiny bits of skin !

[Constance13]

I have it big time. They gave me a very good cream in hospital, to be used three times a day. I can’t give you the name on here, but if you send me a personal message I can.

[NursePeggy in reply to Constance13]

Thanks Constance, I will send you a private message, I jist have to remember how to do that !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Of course you can name names...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I thought you couldn’t name products. Isn’t that advertising?

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Constance13]

You can't offer products for sale. Recommending a product that works for you is something we all do from time to time.

For instance, I use Neutrogena body wash. It cleans even the most sensitive areas, doesn't make me itch, and leaves behind no residue. I use Eucerine moisturizer all over my body for dry skin. It doesn't feel greasy, doesn't have a strong scent, lasts all day, and doesn't stain my clothes. If I am experiencing some muscle aches from compensating for something else that hurts from PMR, I also use Aspercreme. It seems to help without having to put something else in my body.

Whatever you try, you should do a test patch for a few day before putting it everywhere. The last thing you need is to try something new, and wind up having a reaction, especially in places that are tough to reach (or tough to scratch in public).

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

You being paid for it?

[Twopies]

I have it unbelievable, just like you. From the pred, my doc says that when I get off the pred, my thin dry skin will not recover. I am hoping he is wrong but if I can get shed pmr, I don't think I will really care,

[NursePeggy in reply to Twopies]

I have very thin skin as well. I remember my mother with her fine skin kept banging her shins and they would take months to heel. She said it was so painful. I, too, hope that our skin recovers. My veins on my hands, arms and legs seem to protrude so mich now, which my doctor said was due to the thin skin.

[Constance13 in reply to NursePeggy]

Same here!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Twopies]

It will recover somewhat, but probably not back to what it was pre illnesses - but then we’ve all aged a bit as well, which doesn’t help!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Something like Diprobase or Doublebase as used for eczema applied after your shower/bath while the skin is still damp will probably help. I use a loofah in the shower on all the areas that tend to be dry and that helps a lot - I can really see the difference when I don't. And I NEVER use soap products of any sort on arms and legs - then I can see the skin drying out! Not even the so-called moisturising stuff - it's all just marketing!

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

A loofah? I’d be red raw just ‘touching’ my legs with one of those! I have to use a very soft flannel and definitely not ‘scrub’.

I agree with “no soap”. I was ‘ordered’ not to by my doctor when I was in my teens.

[NursePeggy in reply to PMRpro]

The name Diprobase rings a bell ! I think I can remember using it some years ago. Will get some tomorrow, thanks Eileen.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to NursePeggy]

If you are lucky you MIGHT get it on prescription - they can only say no!

[Twopies]

My veins are unsightly too. I have lots of bruises from the least little touch.

[piglette]

I find that my sweaters are covered in flaky bits inside, as you say like dandruff. I think I would need a bath of cream every few hours to sort it out, so I just use cream on my legs and arms.

[Hidden]

Try a good quality body oil... I gave up creams a long time ago as they just got absorbed into my skin but the next day I was just as DRY! I now use Neom Organics, of London, or "This Works," Skin deep dry leg oil, after I shower at night. I also use L'Occitane Almond Shower, instead of soap. Good luck.. it is a never ending battle!

[NursePeggy]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I shall write them all down and try one at a time for a week until I find the one that helps the most. Some of them sound lovely .....

[Grants148]

There are many different moisturisers for dry skin,one of the best l have found is ‘Avon care moisture lotion for dry skin with coconut oil ‘This is very scented but it has not caused me any skin irritation ,and it leaves my skin feeling really soft .

[NursePeggy in reply to Grants148]

Thank you Grants, I shall add it to my list. I am rather looking forward to trying something new.

[teesher]

E45 is dirt cheap and excellent.

[NursePeggy in reply to teesher]

I hadnt thought of that one. Good idea !

[S4ndy]

Zeroveen is what my GP has prescribed for me. Its done the trick in mitigating the dryness so that I no longer itch myself and cause my skin to bleed. Its wonderful stuff, better than diprobase for me.

Hope you can get it sorted xxx

[NursePeggy in reply to S4ndy]

Thanks S4ndy. Mine doesnt itch, thank goodness ! Unless I still have that to look forward to !! I am very pleased that it works for you.

[Noosat]

When I know I will be home for the day, I rub some good quality olive oil on my legs.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Noosat]

Noo - not my quality olive oil!!!!!!

[Carrollee]

Thanks for putting up this post nursepeggy. I am In the same boat as you. Have never had dry skin to this extent. Although I can get it all over it is mostly concentrated on the legs especially calves and ankles. Like you I find it strange that it’s suddenly appeared after nearly 4 years on Pred (pmr/GCA) and getting down to 6mg. I did wonder if it might be tied up with adrenals. Will look thru some of the suggestions for relief. All the best cc 🤗

[NursePeggy in reply to Carrollee]

Hi Carrollee. I have it all over, but more concentrated on my body. I am amazed I have any skin left to flake away !!!

[Carrollee in reply to NursePeggy]

😁 I know what you mean. I have had it all over and it feels like a snow storm when you undress! 🤗

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do hate to mention this - but this dry skin thing is something that accompanies advancing age. Ask any nurse/care assistant who works with the elderly about the shower of skin flakes when undressing them. And pred does speed up the aging process.

Sorry...

[Bronni in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks a lot pmrpro 🙄. I have often wondered though if there’s any kind of reversal when we’re off pred like maybe hair and skin will get a teeny bit thicker? Wishful thinking probably!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bronni]

My hair has had some interesting variations (curly, brillo pad, thinning a bit and simply not growing) and the most recent was coming out in clumps with methotrexate. But I can honestly say it is almost back to normal. I have dry skin - often vacuum the bed - but it does vary and isn't as bad at present as it has been.

[Bronni in reply to PMRpro]

That’s a lot of changes! My hair is dry too, so every couple of weeks I soak it for an hour in olive oil ( and no, not the good stuff) and I also vac the mattress when I change the sheets! Can’t bear to think of feeding those dust mites 😬

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bronni]

Better to vacuum the sheet between times!!!!

[Bronni in reply to PMRpro]

My vac is an upright! So I stand on the bed and vac it like a carpet! It would suck the sheet of 😂.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bronni]

So is the best to use on the bed I have - but it drops totally flat and the suck is adjustable. One tiny positive about a Dyson - it is the last I'll buy with that name on it...

[Bronni in reply to PMRpro]

I’m assuming your objection is with the man, not the machine?! I have a cheapie ‘dirt devil’, which lifts the carpet off the floor! The only other investment I’m prepared to make in the cleaning department is for another human to help when things get out of hand! 😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bronni]

Absolutely!

But I do like my iRobot for floors - better than another human in a lot of ways!

[Bronni in reply to PMRpro]

If they clean in corners, I want one! Otherwise it would be like my OH - everything in a circular motion!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bronni]

I can cope with using a brush to bring the dust out of a corner I can see! I marvel at the colour change in the persian rug every time - I don't use it every day though I know I should...

[Bronni in reply to PMRpro]

I might have to rethink my expenditure. Sounds good!

[NursePeggy in reply to PMRpro]

My hair is starting to grow back, so I am hoping that my very dry skin will improve as well ! I am takng comfort from the fact that dry skin is a side effect of Pred. I am thinking positive thoughts and telling myself that 73 is not old and I make sure I am not looking in the mirror while having these positive thoughts !