OH (dx PMR/GCA july 2018 and started on 40mg daily - now starting on 5mg as from tomorrow having followed DL's taper since 10mg).
Experienced fragile skin and scrapes on lower shins from commencement of Pred. This tendency does not seem to have lessened as dosage decreased and he's somewhat unhappy about this (have to say that he's never had good tolerance levels re annoyances). Is this tendency likely to decrease or is he going to have to be even more careful?
Hi nuff1, I am 58 and find my skin is thin and crinkly and my lower legs bruise. There was a post a few weeks ago about some protective bits and bobs to can apply. The 2 things I would advise if water or other fluids and doublebase gel rubbed in every day. It makes a difference to mine. I think my will remain but if they get elastic and non. Bruisy it's a bonus!
Thanks P but his skin looks quite smooth, in fact he would prefer a small bruise to the area lackin skin - only small but it's weepin and previous ones have taken some time to dry off.
Inadine swab with none woven swab held in place with micropore type adhesive tape which fortunately does not adversely affect his skin.
He was expecting skin to become less fragile as the Pred dosage decreased and is put out that it hasn't.
I presume he know why they weep? Needs sorting. Good luck!
Hello. Hmm if the weeping is ongoing it may be due to infection or too much fluid in the tissues which need a medical eye. Inadine is a good topical dressing though. Are his legs a bit puffy?
Ta, Inadine has been successful in past but there is some slight oedema - late evening when I saw the sore. I'll see how it is when I change the dressing as getting him down to surgery/health centre is not an easy matter.
Trouble is this abrasion has occured through his jeans, he spends time in the workshop with classic tractors.; goes for motorbike ride in fine weather (not winter if roads are wet and salty) and can catch his shin on footrests if not careful.
Has he thought of wearing those motorbike under suits or leggings and tops under his clothes / overalls, especially good in winter in the workshop .
My Uncle used to swear by them to stop his clothes rubbing his delicate psoriasis skin.
Or the thermal protective leggings and tops with a bit of padding in easy knock areas used by rally bikers , and sports men of all types.
Uncle also used his zinc cream each day , especially on dry spots , underarms , toes, shins etc. before putting on the clothes to help stop dry , damaged skin flaking and rubbing and breaking .
He put vaseline on his fingers or on any open sores after any medicated ointment had dried in as a protective semi waterproof layer and always wore gloves for work or riding after he began to get deep regular cuts.
He got longer socks so he could turn down the top and have double clothing protection inside the top of his workboots.
He had a bit of ( what my Auntie said , ' totally disgusting!!' ) sheepskin to throw on funny metal seats to cushion him on bumpy field rides.
And always washed and moisturised his hands after working even with gloves.
My Cousin , whom was a semi professional superbike racer , often wore light ankle bracers in his boots over socks to prevent the ankle scraps , they had a small strip of Flexi support ( much like my current ankle braces ) which kept ankles stable but also prevented scrapes from pedals or road clips when he leaned .
It became habit for my Uncle , over time and testing, he is much better now using these long , hard learnt strategies.
If there is oedema then progression to leg ulcer is more likely. The least he needs to do is put his feet up when sitting down or even wear light compression hosiery. However, the underlying cause of the oedema needs to worked out. Football shin pads suggested sound like a good idea because repeated trauma to this notoriously tricky to heal area needs to be prevented.
These were recommended and to be honest I saw a bloke with football shin protectors on in a disabled base and though that's a good idea.
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Those would go nicely under his jeans - if he could get them on easily enough.
thanks for the info, I'll go take a look.
I think it should gradually improve but it may take a very long time. Yes, make sure skin is well moisturized. And protective clothing helps.
I am 56 and moan that i bruise easily and i know lots of people on the forum have problems with the thinness of their skin. I find my skin doesnt heal as quick after just a slight cut. I try to keep my skin moisturised in the hopes it helps avoid it tearing too easily. Make sure he has them checked out if they are weeping though. Let us know if you discover something else that works. YBB
Hello Nuff1, I asked a similar question about a week ago and got good advice. Your situation sounds a bit different to the crepey, wrinkling, thin skin many of us seem to experience on pred. I have a friend with weepy sores and it really is quite important that these are treated to avoid serious infection.
Different doctors say different things - some say it never recovers but some patients say it does. My shins are very smooth and a bit shiny now - but that is after over 10 years of pred and aging and several years of anticoagulant therapy which contributes to bruising and that doesn;t help.
This
has been recommended.
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