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Bleeding Under The Skin

Posted , 10 users are following.

ptolemy
ptolemy

I have purpura on my arms caused by bleeding under the skin. Most of them seem to be in long lines so look like I have been scratched by a cat while others vary in size from small dots to nearly a centimetre in diameter. They also itch and then sometimes break open, although the itching may be something else and the broken skin may be due to me scratching although I try not to. I have been on pred for PMR since January. Does anyone else have similar symptoms? My GP did not know what is causing it but plumped for the steroids. The purpura slowly fade and then new ones suddenly appear, one minute they are not there and the next time I look new ones have arrived. They are reddish to start with then fade and then disappear.

2 likes, 25 replies

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  • tavidu
    tavidu ptolemy

    Posted

    Hi ptolemy

    I have been on preds since being diagnosed with PMR in May and have found that I get the same bleeding under the skin as you although it tends to appear if I knock or scratch it. When my doctor noticed it at my last visit she put it down to the steroids but would be interested in others opinions as I am not the sure.

    Mine also fade over 4 or 5 days.

  • Nefret
    Nefret ptolemy

    Posted

    Yes, I get bruises and the purple patches even if I just brush something with my arm. I often look as if I've had a close encounter with a very large dog with large teeth!

    As long as the skin isn't broken, I have found arnica works well at helping them fade.

    • Steffiegirl
      Steffiegirl Nefret

      Posted

      Hi Nefret

      Hmmm yes, I get exactly the same. I brushed passed the bedroom door last night (only lightly) and WALLOP, huge red blob appeared on my arm.

      It's sooo annoying as they leave marks when they heal similar to sun spots, brownish in colour.

      I do use Arnica. But it's like there's no fat under the skin.

      Steffie

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy

    Posted

    I get bruises too, I haven't a clue when I get them, they just appear. I will try arnica for the purpura, thanks for the suggestion.
  • EileenH
    EileenH ptolemy

    Posted

    They can be a side-effect of pred yes. I get the occasional few purpura but never very much. Can't say I've noticed them itching though. Some people do develop very delicate skin but mine has remained fairly tough.- but I NEVER use soap (anything that foams).If you use soap it strips all the oils out of your skin and makes it very dry - and makes things worse. Diprobase or Doublebase have helped lots of people.

    But it is also possible that you have another vasculitis going on too.

  • shawn99
    shawn99 ptolemy

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I have been on Pred for a year now and just recently added azathioprine (2 months) to my arsenal.

    The bruising you have talked about, started with me about the same time when I started taking azathioprine. I don't know if this is a coincidence or not. The bruising appears very quickly and then goes away in a few days. There is no pain or itching, just some unsightliness. Having talked to others with PMR, it is fairly common for this to happen.

    Cheers,

    Shawn

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy shawn99

      Posted

      Thanks shawn99, it is nice to know that it is some sort of side effect probably from pred not something unknown. I hope it goes away eventually when I stop / if I stop taking pred.
  • Light
    Light ptolemy

    Posted

    Yes, I get them. Small purpura under the skin about half a cm in diameter. But I only get them after I have scratched my arm due to mosquitoes or eczema. And I only seem to get them on my upper arms – so far! – and not often.

    My skin has always bruised easily and in that I don't see a lot of difference. But it has also thinned out considerably after having been on varying doses of preds for seven years.... Worse has been when I've actually found myself breaking the skin with my own fingernails (by mistake, of course). Very concerning!

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Light

      Posted

      I had a couple more "cat scratches" appearing this morning so it happened when in bed so I am not sure if I am doing something or not. About four inches long with lots of spots. It is on my forearms only so far. I do occasionally break the skin with my nails, perhaps I should cut them more often!!!  I am so glad I am not the only one with this problem.

      I do have a lot of the round greyish bruises too, goodness knows what I am doing all the time!

    • tavidu
      tavidu ptolemy

      Posted

      Me to, forearms, shoulders and chest always seem worse at nightime. Normally I shower at night so am going to change my routine to see if things improve. Good luck, I am sure things will get better.
    • EileenH
      EileenH ptolemy

      Posted

      I wonder if "scratch mitts" might help? It is all too easy to scratch yourself at night and that's what we do for babies ;-) It doesn't take much to bruise when you are on pred - I'm sure I used to catch my shins with my feet at night.
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy EileenH

      Posted

      A thought, I suppose winter is coming so I will have long sleeves soon. I wonder if it will improve, I will test it!
    • tavidu
      tavidu ptolemy

      Posted

      Mine seems to get worse as soon as I wear long sleeves and the itching seems to increase as well, I have been putting it down to a lack of fresh air on my skin but we will see how it goes. Good luck.
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy tavidu

      Posted

      I scratched my arm as a trial yesterday and it did not cause a "cat scratch" , it must be the latent scientist in me. I will go on testing. I did think it was

       caused by aloe vera hand cream if I also rubbed it up my arms, but I think that was a false lead?

    • EileenH
      EileenH ptolemy

      Posted

      Ptolemy - I thought I was a bit nuts, it's lovely to meet someone else who is apparently as nuts as me ;-)
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