skin thinning - or tendency to bang skin more - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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skin thinning - or tendency to bang skin more

Doraflora profile image
28 Replies

hello everyone

a silly thing on Friday, but I was merely changing the bed covers & I caught my arm on the mattress seam. I couldn’t believe the blood! It was flowing profusely and today bad bruising has appeared on my arm. The cut was pretty deep and was so close to a main vein!

Are skin problems like this associated with the PMR or is it purely a sign of me reaching 70 in May?

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Doraflora profile image
Doraflora
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28 Replies
Hunter134 profile image
Hunter134

I was asking that about a month ago.I rubbed myself dry aft a shower which was a rough one.I walked out with blood rolling down my hands.It was like I rubbed the skin off Also had red bleeds under skin.Gone now but I scare easy.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Usually associated with pred. I got glorious bruises and in the last year or so have had a few very bloody cuts. One on my shin where I crossed my legs and scraped the skin with the sole of my snow boots through my sock needed to be stitched and the surgeon commented on the think skin. It has improved a lot since I have been able to reduce the pred dose thanks to Actemra.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Certainly connected to Pred - but age doesn’t help either -.plenty of related posts on the subject.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

Oddly enough I never had this problem at higher doses of pred, but I do now that I'm back to 2 mg, and did the last time I was this low. Go figure.... I suppose that means in my case it's age related and pred actually helps. 🤔🤷‍♀️

piglette profile image
piglette

I caught my leg last week and thought it was a tiny cut. The sheets looked like a horse’s head had been dumped there!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply topiglette

A little blood goes a long way!!!!

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toPMRpro

I look forward to the full moon when I go out at midnight and …..

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply topiglette

🤣🤣

calicojoy41 profile image
calicojoy41

I so agree with you all!!!!👍😊

KASHMIRI1 profile image
KASHMIRI1

I have found since taking steroids that l have the problem you mention. The slightest knock brings up bruises or a skin wound that bleeds a lot. I am 67

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora

thanks everyone. It’s good to know I’m not unique in this issue🤣

Karenjaninaz profile image
Karenjaninaz in reply toDoraflora

I had numerous jabs and tears. Since I take daily Vit A ( dr. Recommended) I still bruise but seldom tear and bleed. On 9 mgm pred going to 8.5 now.

EdithWales profile image
EdithWales

Sadly it is and the damage is disproportionate to the injury. Mine is always worse when I am away, I seem to bang into everything. I always have plasters in my handbag and a little set of dressings when I go further a field. The bleeding looks alarming but it’s not, as PMR Pro says a little blood goes a long way.

If it’s just bruising I cover it up with concealer, if I can’t see it I stop worrying about it.

Take care

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toEdithWales

thanks, EdithWales. You’re all so right: blood looks worse than what it is. I was just being wimpish as it was so close to a vein.

It’s finally stopped bleeding today thank goodness.

EdithWales profile image
EdithWales in reply toDoraflora

That’s good. It’s a dreadful nuisance and always looks worse than it is. I am expert at sticking skin back and it usually heals very nicely. The panic reaction of others needs managing though

Take care

Yorksman profile image
Yorksman

Your not unique, it happens to me all the time. Skin thinning and bruising is one of the many unfortunate side effects of Pred. The back of my hands are a mess of bluey red marks and sometimes even the slightest rub against a towel can cause bruising. Catching anything rough or a solid surface makes them bleed which then takes a long time to heal so much so that I wear protective fingerless gloves for jobs around the house which helps a lot.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toYorksman

oh dear, you sound worse than me, Yorkman.

Maybe I should wear protective clothing all day then I wouldn’t be at risk 🤣

Alebeau profile image
Alebeau

I like many others on this forum have that same issue.I can get a cut from brushing against the simplest of things.

They also take forever to heal.

Just try to be careful and take things slow.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toAlebeau

me slow? That word doesn’t exist 🤣. I do tend to charge about like a bull in a China shop.

I wouldn’t mind, but I was only changing the bed covers….

Poshcards profile image
Poshcards

I get this, apparently its thin skin, and is an age problem. I have been told not to use a plaster but to use a bandage now as my skin could come off with the plaster xx

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPoshcards

my old mum had very thin skin too, but not until well in her 80’s. I’ve only just turned 70 and moisturise my skin thoroughly every day.

Poshcards profile image
Poshcards in reply toDoraflora

I'm 70 too and had thin skin for about 6 months xx

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPoshcards

must be the big change getting to the ripe old age of 70. But I certainly don’t feel any different to when I was in my 60’s, apart from looking older🤣

luv2read profile image
luv2read

I’ve been aware of this since my diagnosis in 2018. I’m currently not only still on prednisone and Actemra, but just had an increase in my blood thinner med due to a blood clot in my leg! I look like I’ve been beat up half the time. Bruises on thin skin make me love being covered up during these cold months. I’ve tried everything and I hate to say it, but it’s very embarrassing showing my skin. On the plus side, I’m still breathing and able to do what I love.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toluv2read

that’s the main thing, luv2read. We’re all still breathing and I consider myself very fortunate. Make the most of every day…

Shiba64 profile image
Shiba64

I'm the same but what's weird I get the bruise spots by just scratching my arm(and not hard either) And the stranger thing is that it's only from my wrist to my elbow the top. Thankfully I have lots of freckles so doesn't show too bad. If I scratch the under/inside it doesn't mark (and I can scratch as hard too!) - very odd but guess skin must be lot thinner on top? But only got it since been on steroids (on 7mg) 😊

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toShiba64

I suppose the skin on the top of the arm has been exposed to sun and has more sun damage.

Shiba64 profile image
Shiba64 in reply toPMRpro

I've always had delicate skin being a red head 😁 But yeah that's the area thats exposed more to the environment I guess. I just have to teach myself not to 'scratch' as I'm very much a scratcher 🤣🤣

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