Red face

[Navion]

Is a red face a common side effect of prednisone? I have always had a nice complexion and now my face just looks red all the time. It also seems more sensitive. Will it go away when I get to lower doses of prednisone? It got worse when I moved up to 15 mg from 10.

[Navion]

Oops see there is a typo. Should say face looks red all the time, not tired.

[Dancingrosie in reply to Navion]

Hi Navion. I had a red face to.I have gca&pmr and when started on pred my face was permanently red. Once started reducing it got less and less now it’s just my cheeks and I can’t stand the hot weather. I started 50mg pred and got down to 3mg and have had a flare so gone to 10mg.

[HeronNS in reply to Navion]

For future reference you can actually edit your own posts and replies on this forum. Just click on the "more" link.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Lovely farmer's wife cheeks - yes, lots of people get them. It's part of the cause of the "Oh, you look so WELL - how can you still be ill!!" comments.

I had it some of the time earlier on but not aware of it as much now. I do find down to the neckline of my summer t-shirts gets red in the summer but never turns brown now, that is also a common effect. But when I remember to use sunscreen on that area (I always wear shirts and a sunhat and keep out of the sun as much as possible) it doesn't get red. It's just that area - my arms just go browner!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that. Been stick sunblock on my chest. If I touch it it's vivid and livid!

[Lonsdalelass in reply to PMRpro]

Me too PMRpro!!!

[SnazzyD]

Yes, I looked like a cross between a polished red apple and a panda due to the dark rings round my eyes. Im pleased to report that it does go.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes, redness on upper chest and dark rings below eyes... I can relate to it all!

[Blearyeyed in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes , on days of having the red face with usually dark ringed eyes my daughter ( the eldest , known as Eric , not the nice one you know as Grandma 😋😁) calls this my " Evil Panda Look" !!😋😂😂😂

I know , it's either love her or find yet another spot to be able to bury the body!!

[Thelmarina in reply to Blearyeyed]

😂😂😂

[fishingnut in reply to SnazzyD]

Oh my gosh, I didn’t realize the dark circles under my eyes could be Prednisone-related. Good to know, I thought it was from feeling tired so much. One thing I have wondered...do other PMR patients have heavy legs, like carrying around bags of cement. Some days are worse than others, but being in water, ocean, etc. takes that weight away. It’s like heaven...until getting back on shore. 🤪

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to fishingnut]

Oh yes - loads of posts about cement legs, concrete overcoats in general and wading through treacle ...

[Hidden]

Yes. Lovely red cheeks in particular after a life time of sallowness. You can buy green based foundation creams that will reduce it if it really bothers you. I can't use anything cos it starts me sweating.

[Navion in reply to Hidden]

I haven't worn makeup for several years so I'll just have to hope it eventually goes away.

[Hidden in reply to Navion]

Me neither. It does.

[Wayfair]

I am just the opposite. I became so pale and my doctor was concerned, he actually mentioned this to my Rheumatologist. Test for anaemia was negative. So I have resorted to bronzer and blusher as I was looking so washed out, and this saves me from family and friends getting concerned.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wayfair]

I was absolutely grey with untreated PMR - I even bought makeup to see if I could look as if I was alive. What a waste of money!!!!

[Navion in reply to PMRpro]

I was really pale before treatment also. So this is quite a change.

[SheffieldJane]

My face has become sensitive to products and I have found Clinique moisturiser and costmetics suits me best and gentle cleansers. I have the suggestion of Roserea ( not sure how to spell) on one cheek. I also use E45 cream on my feet and body. I often have inexplicably pink cheeks in the evening. It’s like painting the Forth Bridge - never ending.

[Daffodilia]

I think it is normal with Pred - I have it and I am down to 10mg - shame but better than pain and stiffness of PMR. I think it goes once you stop preds.

[mtrafter]

I also have red rosy cheeks and nose not quite so florid on 6.5mg but have found that green based cream under foundation tones it down a bit.

[Maddy42]

Navion, I get the same thing, people always say I look flushed or sunburnt. It’s weird how it only seems to be the face and neck though. It did get better when I dropped to 11mg from 15, so I think it’s something to do with the dosage at that level. Hopefully you can work your way down from 15, but not too quickly 👍

[Oumaof2]

My cheeks at night would make the ugly sisters rouged on colour look washed out!... A hot flush and redness down to chest every night🤭 As my American DIL would say, suck it up🙄

[Woolyhead]

My aunt was taking them for a number of years. She had a moon face and red cheeks. In fact she looked much younger than her 67 years. When she came off them her complexion was pale and her face had lost it’s plumpness, she looked really old.

[OutdoorsyGal]

I noticed I had rosy plumper cheeks on the higher doses. The one side effect I wish I could have kept!

[Phalo4]

Amazing! A few days ago, I mistakenly used an alpha hydroxy moisturizer — I’d run out of my usual Neutragena SPF 30 — it felt uncomfortable for a bit and I made a mental note then forgot about it then a few hours later went out and about. I’m not a hat girl except at the lake or ocean. Well boy oh boy, by the end of the day and for the next 3 days, my face and neck were swollen and en-flamed. It was awful! I tried Benadryl with minor positive effect and then a fancy French cream, cold compresses, ice packs, until finally my conjoint brought out the aloe vera, which helped a lot. I still am not sure if it was an allergic reaction to the alpha hydroxy or the effect of prednisone on my aging skin (I’m 67 years old and 3 years into the PMR hike at 6.0 mg and tapering) — thanks to your post now I know: it was both! Synchronicity or what!?!

[daworm]

must be cuz I got one and it gets redder at times with activity or cold or a beer...true fact, Doc said its prednisone not the butterfly rash..

[Hidden]

Hi Navion

I’ve had issues with my face going red, usually in an evening, always more morales on the left cheek, it also feels bumpy too.

I used to think it was the gas fire or worse Wine but that theory has been well tested, l’m not sure if it’s the PMR or the Pred but for me it’s part & parcel of PMR!