Thin, easily damaged skin

[HeronNS]

A common complaint amongst those who've been taking pred for some time is skin which becomes fragile and tears easily. I've just stumbled upon a product designed for farmers - rather attractive protective sleeves. Don't know anything about the company, where it ships to, prices, whether suitable for such as us, or anything, but if I'd come across this product when I needed it a few years ago I'd have been checking into it right away.

farmersdefense.com/en-ca

[Blearyeyed]

I think I suggested these types of arm gauntlets to people while doing garden jobs some years back.You can get these types of gauntlets or arm protection on Amazon and lots of DIY and garden websites.

For lighter work , or to give extra protection for skin under normal clothes as well as improving circulation you can get thinner light lycra arm and lower leg sleeves in various colours.

If you also use a good unisex moisturizer before putting on the protective layer it helps to stop your skin drying out and becoming less supple and likely to tear.

So you can use these sleeves or moisturising socks over night to improve skin for the day.

I've always found them very useful and after discovering them I've had far less issues with skin tearing or getting cuts, as I have a connective tissue disorder my skin still requires a lot of help , similar to the needs we can all have after 60 , even though I've been off steroids for sometime.

Thanks for the link, Bee

[Mstiles in reply to Blearyeyed]

Bee does prednisone skin ever recover once you are off prednisone?

[agingfeminist in reply to Mstiles]

I found at lower doses , skin is much less fragile. But still continue to use lashings of Nivea cream on hands and forearms to help.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mstiles]

Not completely [have proof after weekend gardening 🤦🏻‍♀️] - but you also have to remember you have aged during the Pred years and that affects skin as well.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Mstiles]

The better you manage to maintain your skin during the time you take steroids the quicker the improvement and chance that you will regain a similar skin condition to the one you had before taking them.That includes eating a nutrient rich diet and getting enough fluids because skin needs to be nourished from within , and then moisturizing with a unisex , unfragranced lotion each day , something like Epaderm 3 in 1 is a good , non sticky option which can also be used on the face, as a shower wash and make up remover. Using coverings in the sun and a high SPF sun cream is also important.

As DL says there are individual factors that might mean it won't be just the same as it was like ageing, hormones ( both male and female) and if you still take other medications or have other health conditions that affect your skin too.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This brand is available on Ebay in UK - and similar on Amazon everywhere!

[Sillydogsmum]

I agree, these are terrific, work best if I remember to put them on 😇! In spite of lashings of dermatological grade moisturisers skin still flaky and supper thinned......roll on 10mgs! As for oven burns 😱

[Sophiestree]

oooh I just looked and they are really pretty!

[Bridge31]

Limbkeepers UK have some nice lightweight ones. I use the forearm ones on my legs 😀 ( I have very short legs )

[HeronNS in reply to Bridge31]

I noted the absence of shin/calf protectors and wondered if arm ones might work for lower legs.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They are a lot more attractive than the ones suggested in the past!!

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

The unattractive thicker ones with the sharp protection inlays are better if you are doing heavy duty gardening or building. And they are more masculine.I've got so many of these lightweight ones in different colours they are great for light jobs or on a walk in nature but they aren't quite as good at preventing you getting stabbed by a runaway bramble or reducing tears if you are carrying heavy things with sharp corners.

[montebello]

Fantastic!! Thank you so much. My arms are COVERED in bandaids from simply scuffing up against furniture by mistake, and when I actually do work outside I come back looking like I've been in a battle.

[AtopicGuy]

Avoiding excessive sun exposure is also important, because ultraviolet light (UV) breaks down collagen and elastin. It is the main cause of skin ageing.

[AyJayBass]

I use Chamois leather welders' arm protectors. For example: thesafetysupplycompany.co.u...