Skin problems

[Wenben]

I finished taking Prednisolone 12 months ago after 5 years for PMR. My skin problems started when I came off the steroids a year ago and I am wondering if there is a connection or if anyone else has had the same thing happen. Firstly during this time I visited two different pharmacies to ask advice and eventually contacted GP when the sores on my legs and hand got worse. Have not been able to get face to face appointment in all that time despite requesting one on several occasions. Have had several creams and antibiotics prescribed over the phone after being asked to send in photos. Having more recently also developed a nasty looking rash on my back which itches intensely and keeps me awake I finally rang the private hospital on Monday and got private consultation with Dermatologist today (no referral required). His diagnosis..... Discord Eczema on limbs but Foliculitis on back. He has taken swabs and prescribed Dermovate ointment and Lymecycline antibiotics for a month. Also a shower wash. Has anyone else experienced skin problems when coming off Pred ? Also is it OK to have second Pfizer vaccination (Next Week) whilst taking antibiotics ?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Can't help on the skin issues, but looks ok to have vaccine - antibioticresearch.org.uk/a...

[Wenben in reply to DorsetLady]

Thankyou

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I imagine the antibiotic question is one to ask the medics supervising the injections - it will have been part of the training module.

nhs.uk/conditions/discoid-e....

seems to suggest it may have appeared after being kept suppressed by the pred.

[Wenben in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I have emailed the vaccination centre. There is no direct phone number... I should imagine they get bombarded with queries! Have to go next Wednesday and if I still have any doubts I will mention it. Thank you for the link... will read through.

[tangocharlie]

Yes, my skin all flared up when I came off steroids in 2017. I subsequently have had to go back on them but the skin thing hasn't cleared up. At first I was told it was some kind of eczema on the legs (venous or discoid) more recently I have what looks like 'chicken skin' and one GP says it is folliculitis, another says keratosis pilaris, another says it's a cellulitis skin infection, and all suggesting different combos of potions and antibiotics, so I'm being referred to dermatology and considering going private as it'll be a least a year to wait for an NHS appointment. Personally I have a hunch it is something to do with mast cells as I have developed all sorts of allergies and histamine intolerance and feel there is something systemic going on. It definitely improves if I increase my steroids or put steroid cream on. There is also pitting oedema in the legs, again responsive to steroids. If I find out anything else I will let you know. It has also flared up in the legs since I had the AZ covid vaccine 2 weeks ago.

[Wenben in reply to tangocharlie]

Thanks that is very interesting. I wish I had gone privately last year but thought you had to be referred by GP. I was treated firstly for a fungal condition and then in December the GP said it was probably Impetigo (I was not convinced at all) all diagnosed over the phone without seeing me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wenben]

It depends on the doctor - some want a referral by a GP, others don't.

[herdysheep]

Lichen planus on the skin can be extremely itchy - another auto immune joy