Fragile skin pred related

[Lejazzhot]

Sent from my iPad

Hi. I have been on pred since jan 2019 when diagnosed with PMR. Totally ignorant of this and every other rheumatic disorder, I was so lucky to find this patient forum.Your collective knowledge and experience and generosity in sharing have been an invaluable resource in terms of correct information and unfailing support. I’m forever grateful. Presently im taking 10mg of pred which i take in two doses. I have followed closely articles and posts abt pred side effects. Whereas I’ve seen discussions about the pred moon-face, I have not come across much on other pred induced skin problems. Recently my skin has become very fragile, like cigarette paper, bruising very easily and quickly. Not the usual black & blues but bloody scabby sores that seem to take a lot of time to heal. My drs agree this is pred related and aren’t particularly concerned. Just wondering if others have similar skin issues. Thanks again all of you.

[jinasc]

Yes, you skin can and does thin. Your GP can prescribe Double Base Gel, if not you can buy it OTC. Make sure you follow the instructions to the letter.

I bet you shower everyday.............if so you are stripping all the natural oils out of your skin so you need that Double Base Gel as you put it on before you shower and then after.

[Mary63]

Yes definitely, but this does improve as you go to lower doses.

PMR Jan 2016. Presently on 7mg trying to reduce to 6.5

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I've no doubt you will get plenty of agreement!

I've not had much of a problem - but as jinasc says, I never use soap/foaming products on my skin. I do bruise - but I'm also on anticoagulant therapy so it isn;t surprising.

[Hidden]

I followed jinasc's advice and bought doublebase Gel. It has made a big difference. I put it on pre shower and post shower on damp skin. I use it on the back of my hands and dry skin like elbows and it works. I paid 8£ and must have been using it daily for about 6 to 8 weeks minimum and there's loads left. I noticed a difference in the feel if my skin within a week.

[Yellowbluebell]

Same here. I have dry skin now whereas it was greasy before. I bruise very easily and a skin biopsy taken a couple of months ago is slow in healing. Moisturising is the way to go.YBB

[Hellyowl]

Since starting on pred I have kept the moisturising industry going. I am lucky I can use anything, scented or not. But double base fell for the extra dry itchy patches is brilliant.

[FRnina]

Yes. Thin skin and bruising. I can see all the blue veins in my legs. I'm at 6mg of pred so I asked my rheumatologist if it would get better with tapering. I got a shrug and a smile and a 'perhaps'. Moisturizing was what she advised.

[Thelmarina]

Sadly yes - plus mini facial rash, hideous in the heat 😀 Not a lot we can do apart from keeping skin well moisturised. You are not on your own! I’m hoping this will decrease as I taper 🤞

[Fifelassieo]

Yes l bruise very easily, also l have pred moon face, l also have breakouts on my face, these are a mixture of redness and bruising, l am on 20mg pred, dr says with lower doses of pred it will stop

[castingcollectives]

Yes I have same problem on legs and tops arms.

Some of mine are still there after weeks on 17.5 pred.from today started on 60 in January for GCA.They just appear without any bumping or knocking them on amything.My consultant doesn't seem worried either. I use doublebase gell twice a day and Bruise M D which helps on internet..consultant said could help and seems to.Hope that's some help.I also have leg protecters under trousers sometimes.

[Grants148]

Yes,l have been taking pred ., for three years now and the skin on my arms and hands is very thin, and if l rub the skin too much a red patch appears. It is one of the side effects .l alwaysmake sure l use plenty of moisture cream after showering .l did get a moon face on my highest pred dose,but that did gradually improve as l lowered the dose .

[MKCOregon]

I can attest to the skin problems brought on by Prednisone. I happen to be one that has arms and hands full of the dark purplish bruising and skin that rolls back like tissue paper. The more I do around the house the worse it is as I bump and scrape myself all the time. Must be clumsy!! I try wearing long sleeves when they are particularly bad but as summer is here it makes it hard to do as I also perspire a lot from the Pred. I’ve had PMR for 4 yrs+ and still sit at 14 mg dose. My tapering has been slow and trying but I sat at 20 mg for a long time so for me 14 is a good thing. This Double base gel suggested by some here...is there a brand name or do I just go to a pharmacy and ask for it. I am in the US.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MKCOregon]

You might have to try Amazon - just google it. Double Base or Diprobase is the same.

[MKCOregon in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks I will do that!

[Hidden in reply to MKCOregon]

I looked at pharmacy websites and did a click and collect from a local one. I presume it works in US too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I'm not sure it is generally available in the US. I just know people in the US have got it though Amazon in the past - not so bad if you or a friend have Prime

[Hidden in reply to MKCOregon]

It looks like you can get it but 2 small tubes under 20 so you can see if it helps.

amazon.com/Diprobase-Emolli...

[MKCOregon in reply to Hidden]

I appreciate the link. Thanks!

[Lejazzhot in reply to MKCOregon]

My bruises are more like pustules. I have both dark purplish bruising but worse are the bloody scabby sores with skin that does exactly what you say/ rolls back like tissue pPer.