Skin Problem

Hi, First time on here although I have been reading a lot of posts over the last few months. I am a 77 year old male taking Apixaban for Pulmonary Embolisms and first started with problems in about Nov 2020. As I now know I had all the symptoms of GCA and then by Dec2020 developed the typical symptoms of PMR and was diagnosed in Feb 2021 and although they did not confirm the GCA I was put on 40mg of Pred. I gradually tapered down to 0mg in June 2022 but unfortunately had a bad flare up and had to go back up to 7.5mg, I have been quite stable since and presently on 7mg.

My question is has anyone else experienced red, dry and itchy blotches all over the body (I started with them on my legs first then spread to arms chest and back). I am presently using medication prescribed by my GP and after 6 days there is a slight improvement just wondering if it could be caused by the long term use of Pred.

[piglette]

I seem to have managed to get an awful lot of side effects from the steroids, but I have not come across itchy blotches all over. If they don’t improve I would ask to see a dermatologist. You could of course have an allergy to something. When did the blotches start?

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Thankyou for your prompt response, I started with this about 6 weeks ago just on my legs and then it spread to the other areas. I have tried changing shampoo, shower gel etc to unperfumed products. One problem I do have is with taking Vit D I have tried all forms of it i.e. Evacal from GP, liquid, spray and tablets and they all cause some kind of issue such as losing my voice and soreness in my oesophagus.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Petechiae/purpurae are common with pred and are small red splodges but shouldn't itch I don't think. Keratoses are dry and scaly but rarely red, they can be brown or even black and they are more common when on pred

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con....

What did the GP suggest they are?

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou for your response, the blotches are very red when they appear and then go more pink and they are not small. GP not sure trying the meds first and says if they don't work will then recommend seeing a Dermatologist. I will certainly check out the mayo clinic link.

[Karenjaninaz in reply to PMRpro]

That's interesting about all these keratoses caused by pred. I have them all over/ I am like a mushroom patch. I just had one removed/biopsied. over my left shoulder blade-more under my boobs.

[Hidden in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Hi, Thankyou for your response but I have looked keratoses up on line and that is not the same as my problem. The red patches become very prominent after showering and gradually fade to pink as my skin cools down. I have a prescription for Hydromol to use instead of shower gel and an emollient to rub on afterwards plus antihistamine tablets and see my GP early January.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Karenjaninaz was actually commenting to me on my response.

[hwigston]

Hi ennerburn. Are you still on Apaxiban? If so I would say that is what is causing your skin problems. I have been on Apaxiban since 1 April when I had a PE and have the same problem. I have been on Prednisone for 10 years without any problems. I use E45 cream. I find the irritation worse at night and the blotches are worse on my arms and thighs.

[Hidden in reply to hwigston]

Hi, Thankyou for your response, yes I am on Apixiban for life 2.5mg twice daily and I find that after showering the blotches are very red and as my body cools down they turn more pink. I have been wondering if it could be either the Pred or the Apixiban so that is very helpful thankyou.