Covid long term effect taking prednisolone

[Krissy39]

Caught covid mildly in April 2020, came out in terrible skin rash around stomach,, legs and arms and odd patches on trunk. Tried Betnovate no good. Doctor put me on prednisolone started on 6 a day for a week then tapered down to 2 and then off them. Have had several courses of prednisolone. Saw dermatologist who just prescribed more betnovate. And then trimovate. Rash and sores started to recede but still left with sores around my derriere and creases between buttocks and back of thigh. Also on the heel of my left hand near wrist. Have had to use lint in panties due to bleeding sores, very painful. Dermatologist said she’d take biopsy but didn’t as some of the rash started to go. Have been in touch with my GP had to wait 3 weeks for appt. Telephone conversation only. She said dermatologist said I had dermatitis but never had this before. She’s put me on prednisolone 6 tablets a day for one week only. I have osteoporosis/osteopenia and coeliac disease. I sometimes get a flare of dermatitis herpetiformis but only if I’ve been gluttened. Little itchy rash on odd parts of body. This was ruled out as meds for that didn’t work. Prednisolone was the only thing that did help but GP worried re my osteoporosis getting worse due to prednisolone hence only letting me have for 1 week, 6 tablets a day. Already after 2 doses of 6 itching stopped and no bleeding today. Just feel a bit warm from prednisolone side effect. Nothing serious but have put on a bit of weight from other courses of prednisolone. Trying to lose that but only around abdomen. Look pregnant but at 73 it would be a miracle if I was! Has anyone had any rashes if they caught covid or know anyone. My immune system sensitive due to coeliac and I have to watch what I eat due to bloating and abdominal pain. Hoping this short course of prednisolone will help with rash etc but otherwise not sure what to do. GP given me more betnovate and dermal 500 skin wash. Dermatology told n]me to wash my clothes in non bio detergent. Did that for ages and no improvement. Even put my automatic washer on extra rinse and medic rinse to make sure all detergent gone. Then in tumble dryer. I think it’s a case of trial and error to see what works so if it glares again I shall insist on seeing dermatologist again but have to wait weeks for appointment. Had all my covid jabs and booster, Pfizer vaccine. Some side effects and rash around injection site on booster jab. Some flu like side effect for a few days. Had hoped the booster might kill of the remaining ‘rash’ in the delicate areas as painful to sit and sleep and slight bleeding and weeping sores. This is going on too ling but on research long covid can go on for ages and all sorts of effects after initial covid even when mild. Prednisolone does seem to make me feel generally better in myself but understand that can be a ‘side effect’ of prednisolone. Please make sure you wear a mask and practising social distancing as covid even mild can cause long term problems. I’m apprehensive of catching the new strain so very careful if I go shopping as still some people not wearing masks in supermarket even though they should do. I know government ministered flouted covid rules but remember covid is no respecter of persons or position.

[May7]

Oh you have been through the wars Krissy. I haven't had covid or any of your skin problems, but am concerned about your osteoporosis. I'm glad your doctor is aware of it in relation to the prednisolone, but I can't tell if you are taking anything for it. You need to be taking Evacal or Adcal; chewable calcium and vitamin D tablets every day. And you need to be very careful not to trip over, especially when there are wet leaves about, and not walk out in icy weather. It's no fun living with fractures on top of everything else. And don't worry, everybody on here is very Covid cautious. Best wishes.

[PMRpro]

Rash is now being mentioned as a symptom of Covid.

Is the rash infected do you think? With all that pred - oral and topical - a fungal infection is all too possible and what you describe is similar to what I get at times on an old abdo scar and then in other creases that are warm and damp. Sometimes it develops a bacterial infection. In the UK I was given trimovate, a combined cream, and it worked minor miracles. Here that isn't available (may not be anyway) but I get 2 creams, antifingal and antibacterial. It's a vicious circle - I also have something, not coeliac we don't think as rye gluten is fine, something in wheat starch that does this to me or at least makes it worse.

If you are coeliac, do you use a lot of g/f products? They are very carb dense (I know from experience looking fr wheat-free stuff) - and if you want to avoid weight gain with pred, and even lose weight when on pred, cut your carbs drastically, especially processed ones (also less salt) and added sugar. If you want tips - come and ask over at PMRGCAuk.