Brown small patches to scalp

[Rymer]

Just noticed lots of small brown patches on my scalp. Can you kind and knowledgeable people give me your thoughts as to if this is a Pred thing. I have noticed that on a hot day my head has felt like it was burning and I would need to cover it and this has only been the case since taking Pred in April. Also if it is do I have to do anything about it and/ or will they fade. Feeling a little freakish!! Many thanks to all in anticipation. (I did try and post a picture but couldn’t upload it)

[piglette]

A side effect mentioned is Large Purple Or Brown Skin Blotches. I have purpura on my arms which are small purple blotches that do fade after a couple of weeks. How long have you had the blotches?

[Rymer in reply to piglette]

My partner just noticed them but I am checking with my friend who is also my hairdresser to see if she noticed them when I had my hair done a few weeks ago

[piglette in reply to Rymer]

Do they hurt or cause you problems? Is it only your hairdresser who can see them?

[Rymer in reply to piglette]

No they don’t hurt and I didn’t notice them at all but my partner is taller than me and just happened to glance down and see them when my hair parted

Brown spots on scalp

[piglette in reply to Rymer]

They do look a little like my purpura but they could just be another thing. You can always ask your doctor if you feel worried. I must admit I tend to be a bit gung ho and ignore things that don’t hurt!

[Rymer in reply to piglette]

Me too. I think I will make sure I wear a hat more and just hope I can cover them up with my hair until they fade. Going to a wedding in 2 weeks time / thank goodness I made a hat to wear for part of it and for the rest I guess I will have to just avoid people who are taller than me standing behind me!!!! Thanks for your input

[piglette in reply to Rymer]

Hopefully they should have faded by then if they are purpura.

[Noosat in reply to Rymer]

I get the purple spots, but also wonder about my once vey nice skin becoming coarse and very dry. Anyone notice this problem

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Noosat]

Skin does tend to make skin dry - not using soap products helps there.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to piglette]

I have these blotches on my arms, they’re fading but very gradually. I’m currently reducing Pred.

Blotches on arm.

[Rymer in reply to Rachmaninov2]

We could change our ‘handles’ to the ‘Spotty Maldoons’

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Rymer]

Yes, very apt. Thanks for giving me a laugh. 😁👍

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It could be sunburn. Pred does make us more sensitive to sun.

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

I agree...I have to be really careful as my scalp burns very easily since on pred...particularly along my centre parting.

[Koalajane in reply to Kendrew]

I wear a baseball cap a lot when it is sunny. It protects my head and helps slow the progress of my cataract. (I also wear reactolite glasses)

[Rymer in reply to Koalajane]

Good plan.

[Kendrew in reply to Koalajane]

I have a special UVA/UVB protective tint on my glasses too as I also have cataracts. I've also invested in a sun hat!

[YuliK]

I would suggest to go to a dermatologist.

[HeronNS]

I agree with Yulik, unless your partner observes that they clear up quickly as the red patches we get on our arms tend to do. Even so, worth mentioning when next you talk to a physician.

[Rymer in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks

[Linlang]

After a year or more of pmr I went to a dermatologist- had increase of blotches on face chest. She said tiny pin types on hairline were something age brings. She removed some skin tags and other horrid lumpy brown lesions . Need to go again!

[Viv54]

Hi Rymer ,could it be that your hair is thinning atm?I remember the first time i noticed my scalp while brushing my hair ! i was distraught to see my hair was falling out . My hair started to thicken as my dose of pred lowered.Maybe thats why you never noticed before.

[Rymer in reply to Viv54]

Hadn’t thought of that. Thanks.

[Pr0jection]

Do you sweat a lot on your head during the hot weather? The reason I ask is that I come up in rashes sometimes in areas where I sweat. Just a thought but I would see a dermatologist if possible. Good luck

[AdoptMeow]

Purpura and other odd rashes can be caused by vasculitis, so you may get more information from posting on the Vasculitis forum. GCA is a form of vasculitis and the lupus.org page on vasculitis states that PMR can cause it. Also search on vasculitis rash images.