prednisolone and skin blotches

[craighead72]

Can long term use of Pred cause thin skin and red blotches?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Absolutely -now you have posted you will see loads of related posts. Can be found on right hand side of screen or below current posts -depends what device you are using…

Does get better as you reduce the dose.

We do suggest keeping skin moisturised as much as possible (DoubleBase is good see link) and keep arms covered -certainly working in garden -that’s when most of my damage was done!

mydoublebase.co.uk/?gclid=E...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes - the blotches are called purpurae if they are larger and petechiae if they are tiny. They form because the blood vessels are weakened and leak blood if subjected to any pressure. Once one has occurred it is more likely to appear again and they leave a mark a bit like a freckle when they fade. The good news is they can go away as the pred dose falls - I had quite bad areas on my forearms but they have stopped since getting to 8mg and lower.

[Pass7 in reply to PMRpro]

thank you the good news! My forearms are in terrible shape. Those gardening arm protectors are a joke. I’m almost down to 10mg daily. I can’t wait for clear arms & working in the yard

[Louisa1840]

Oh my word it can! You are talking to someone who only has to pass a slightly spiky bush and I am bleeding. I am also covered in red blotches most of the time on my arms. Just another minor gift of being on pred and having PMR - could be worse!!!

[Tiggy70]

I get them constantly on my forearms and lower legs. Just as one goes another one appears somewhere else. The strap of my shoulder bag slipped down my bare arm last week and I had a perfect row of 10! Something else we have to endure I’m afraid🌸

[Missus835]

Yes and many. Petichae especially (little red dots). Bruises and marks of unknown origin. Hopefully will fade one day when the Pred gets down low enough. Keep a good moisturizer handy as well. I also have many little "wart-like" bumps in various places, especially across my forehead (lovely). PMRPro has called them carbunkles.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Missus835]

I don't remember using that term - keratoses maybe ...

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I had mentioned having dry, wart-like bumps and you said "oh the carbunkles", which is a very British word (my Nan). LOL. But I do have a lot of small, dry wart-like bumps and more appearing at random intervals. Across the forehead, unsure if it's actually moles from tanning bed days long gone by, but there are a lot. Oh well, part n' parcel of the whole thing.

[Jigsaw21]

I have been taking Prednisolone for over 20years, and have not noticed thinning skin or red blotches.

[Wouldlovetorun in reply to Jigsaw21]

😟💐poor you, Jigsaw21, what a very long time to be taking Pred.X

[Dambusters]

I am down to 7mg.I have always kept arms and legs well moisturised night and morning. Also my black, although it does not have thin skin like my limbs.

I also drink a lot of water.

As I am reducing preds, the red areas have reduced

[kathyrob]

I am 82yrs and get lots of red blotches I know my sin has thinned as I bruise very easily too. Tried to lower dose from 4to3 but after 3weeks or so I am back to 4mg. I've been on steroids for about 6yrs could be more.

[Blindauditiom]

I used prednisone for many years but it didn’t effect my skin.

Good luck.

[Kingfisher489]

Prednisolone can definitely contribute to thinning of the skin. Not sure about red blotches.

[dandeliondreamer]

It can indeed. Any slight bump causes bruising. The skin tears easily too so be extra careful! I carry steristrips just in case!

[GrandmaPirate]

Your skin will be much dryer and therefore you should look for a good cream, especially when exposing yourself to the sun you should look at protection factor 50 of a good brand . And do not forget to cover your head. You probably became award that your hair is dryer too, so also the skin of your head under your hair. Take that in wonsideration when choosing a shampoo. Enjoy the summer!

[craighead72 in reply to GrandmaPirate]

Thanks for the advice. I have started using a good skin moisturiser and am careful in exposure to the sun, You are right that I have noticed that my hair has become much drier and frizzy so will find a suitable shampoo. I am on a slow taper from 16mg a day and will have reached 12mg next week after being on pred for over a year and hoping that the side effects of weight gain, puffy ankles, thin skin and the rest will subside as the dose reduces.

[48er in reply to craighead72]

Additional I got all sorts of wierd ski lesions, lumps and bumps but put these down to Covid

Pam

[48er]

Hi Craig I was given a diagnosis of PMR 3 years ago and prescribed 30mg of Prednisolone and immediately felt great. Told to taper but when I reached 20mg symptoms re-appeared even though inflammation markers were normal. I came off prednisolone about 4 months ago when I was on 2mg as symptoms have got very much worse and my rheumatology consultant thinks I may have been mis-disgnosed

So conclusion prednisolone was great to start off controlling pain and stiffness with PMR but I developed high blood pressure, weight gain and other bad effects so mixed blessing for me all in all

I think, having read a lot of posts on this site that everyone has a totally individual experience

Sorry I can't be more helpful

Good luck Pam