Awful purple spots

[diana1998]

I wonder why some people get the horrible purple spots and others don't. I get them when I alter my pred dose. Last a few days, then fade away. Noticed this one today on my arm, another big one on back of hand. Last week, knuckles on same hand were purple. Usually they are very small. Just annoying as unsightly.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Depends on how susceptible your skin is to damage - or maybe how deep your capillaries are under the skin. Usually worse on higher doses - and yes, as you say, unsightly.

Keep skin well moisturised and covered as much as you can even with lightweight materials, arnica cream/lotion may help as well - to paraphrase - every little (protection) helps.

[MrsNails]

What dose are you on Diana?

[diana1998 in reply to MrsNails]

Between 6.5-7mg. Dropped slowly to 5 last year for a few weeks but had to creep slowly up to 7 again. They'll be gone within a week but much larger this time 😩 I'm very sensitive and my body will sometimes take the drop and sometimes not.

[MrsNails in reply to diana1998]

Oh Bless, Diana, my Mum used to get the bruises, the petechia & purpura plus her skin would tear with even the slightest touch.

I do hope it improves soon 🌺

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That looks like a bruise - too big for petechiae or purpurae. I am now developing bruises on my shins with the slightest knock - has never happened before. But they last more like a few weeks - jealous!!!!

[RiverKings]

Like you, I had the spots at higher dose and occasionally one still occurs even though I’m down to half a mg a day in Prednisone. There are two creams made by DerMend that really helped me: a fragile skin formula and a bruise reduction formula. Available on Amazon or in drug stores OTC.

[diana1998]

It's the ladt one for me. No other drugs, just pred and teetotal

[Vaggers]

I get these spots which come and go and fade fairly quickly. They started when I was on a lower dose of Pred

(Now on 5 mgs) I assume they are the Pred but was a little puzzled I didnt get them when I was taking higher doses. They are possibly a but age related as well ?

[diana1998 in reply to Vaggers]

Nor me on higher doses! No worries, just annoying

[Vaggers]

No, Im not concerned either but bit strange the spots waited til we were on a lower dose!

[Katiecatweazel]

Morning Diana, I am currently sporting one on my arm about an 1" wide. I see from DadCue they can have several causes but at medical appointments the doctors say 'oh that's steroids' when I display blotchy legs and arms. Also beware shopping basket handles on thin skin! All the best.

[diana1998 in reply to Katiecatweazel]

Never get them on legs

[Kendrew]

Hi there. Concur with all above. My skin has become very fragile whilst on steroids and rheumatologist explained that steroids cause thinning of the cells lining blood vessels under the skin which means the slightest trauma causes them to 'leak' which forms a bruise. A bruise is simply blood that's leaked into the surrounding tissues. Wounds, scratches etc also take longer to heal, but sometimes my legs and arms look like an abstract painting with all the bruises! Haha!