Wound healing and Steroid Use: I have been on... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

21,317 members40,425 posts

Wound healing and Steroid Use

lovemylife23 profile image
10 Replies

I have been on Prednisone for just over a year. I am down to 10mg and cannot titer down without flare. I am waiting for approval for Kevzara. I have noticed that when I get a small cut or skin abrasion (which is more frequent since my skin is thinner with steroid use) It gets very red and takes a long time to heal. I used to get a cut and it would heal and be done in a couple of days. Now I have to dress the wound and it takes up to a week or more to begin healing.

I read that steroid use can affect healing, but was wondering if anyone else experienced this. I had surgery last week and I am feeling its effects longer and worse than I should. I'm wondering if I am going to take longer to heal because of the steroids and if there is anything I can do to speed things up! My body has always come through for me. I have always been strong and resilient with no physical issues. This is miserable!

Written by
lovemylife23 profile image
lovemylife23
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
10 Replies
SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

It is a miserable way to think which doesn’t help healing either. Slower healing can be a side effect of Pred. You have been lucky in life thus far, you will be lucky again - a better mantra.

lovemylife23 profile image
lovemylife23 in reply toSheffieldJane

Don't get me wrong... I am blessed beyond measure! Just having a down day I guess. I believe we are allowed those from time to time.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply tolovemylife23

Of course we are… part of life.. with or with PMR/GCA .. and we probably understand it better than most…

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane in reply tolovemylife23

I hope so! I have them quite often. I didn’t mean to sound preachy, I sometimes spiral and hoped you weren’t.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Your body will come through for you again… but at the moment you have to accept because of your illness and your medication it’s nit as it was.

… Skin does take longer to heal… and to be honest not a lot you can do to hurry that along… apart from using emollient to make it a bit more supple, and protecting it as much as you can with long sleeve lightweight tops and trousers - and if doing outside chores then maybe something like long gardening gloves etc…

Mfaepink1973 profile image
Mfaepink1973

I’m sure the pred does slow down healing. I used to be like you, very fit and any cuts I had healed really quickly but I had a bunion operation 10 weeks ago and the wound has only just healed!

Jigsawlass profile image
Jigsawlass

Pred definitely slows down healing and I notice I bruise more easily too as skin is thinner. Pred....the gift that keeps on giving ! Saying that , I'd rather pred and its side effects than the agony of PMR without it !

lovemylife23 profile image
lovemylife23 in reply toJigsawlass

Agree, just couldn't live without it. I tried and it just wasn't living! I'll take the side effects, but hopefully life without either is right around the corner!!

random901 profile image
random901

I'm more prone to bruising and cuts which take a long time to heal - cut my knuckle instead of my fringe last week - just had to apply plaster upon plaster! Gloves vital, especially in the garden 🌺

Tiggy70 profile image
Tiggy70

Unfortunately thinning skin, cuts and bruises seem to go hand in hand with taking Prednisone. If you are a gardener then it may be advisable to purchase some Kevlar sleeves to wear to protect your forearms (available on line).🌸

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Healing cuts while on Prednisolone

I have been on Pred for 5 years and now slowly dropping to 6 mg. Twelve months ago I knocked my...
hwigston profile image

psoriasis and steroid dose

Over the years my consultant has always asked me if I had any signs of psoriasis and pain and...

Thin skin wound risk

This post is mainly a cautionary tale. Many of us have thin skin; steroid age related etc. My...

Sense of Healing and Tapering

I'm on 15 mg of prednisone after recently been diagnosed with PMR. I tapered from 20 mg after about...

Silly question about steroid use.

I am down to 7mg per day for GCA in all my major arteries. Feeling OK and crp is pretty constant at...
granny-b profile image

Moderation team

SophieMB profile image
SophieMBPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.