Wound healing and Steroid Use

[lovemylife23]

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!

[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 in reply to SheffieldJane]

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 PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to lovemylife23]

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

[SheffieldJane in reply to lovemylife23]

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

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk 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]

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]

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 in reply to Jigsawlass]

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]

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]

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).🌸