HI FOLK, I'M A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

A really good tape for putting dressings onto fragile skin or anything that needs re-dressing frequently is Micropore tape - that's what the hospitals use. It's sort of papery, has a moderate strength adhesive (which is important in this context) and is hypoallergenic. I've used it for years because I come out in a seriously itchy rash with almost everything else. You get it in various widths and it isn't terribly expensive. For larger areas on limbs the stockinette tubigrip stuff is ideal and can be taped in postion using the micropore.

I tell you this - but it is a matter of family amusement that I NEVER had plasters around when the children were small and my husband uses more in a year than I have used in a lifetime :roll: :lol:

Eileen

Hello Hilary

It seems that quite a few of us steroid takers have this problem doesn't it. I am on 1mg now endeavouring to taper to 0.5 ever so s l o w l y! However, I have been on 1mg for the about the last 9 months so that is probably why I have noticed a bit of an improvement lately. The body definitely starts to recover and return to its pre-steroid condition on the very low doses - I've even managed to lose 10lbs! :D

I have wondered whether Vit E supplements would help the skin - I don't have Vit E in the form of pills but do have a big spoonful of wheatgerm daily on my muesli - it contains folic acid and Vit E.

Hopefully, you will find you bruise less easily as you reduce - but I always think that 5mg is a good goalpost to reach and as long as you are feeling relatively pain-free then that is all that matters.

Take care,

MrsO

Just a word

I use Micropore all the time and it is good. The practice nurse uses it when I have a blood test and the little round plaster things always tear the skin, even when I leave them on in the shower and drown them in hot water.

Arnica - are you just dabbing it on - I find the tablets help better.

MrsO recommended 'Double Base' cream and it is fantastic for helping the skin, it even said in the leaflet to put it on before you was bath or shower.

MrsO did also tell me, after I bought the first lot, that it is available on prescription and yes, my GP now prescribes it.

Oh and for those of you, after your 20 mins in the sun without slip slap slop can also be prescribed 60 factor sunscreen.

And I now have less bruises as I have come down in dosage. But please remember that easily bruising happens as you get older anyway.

I have micropore in two widths but I don't find it any kinder to my easily torn skin than bog standard elastoplast. Guess I'll stick with the ironed bits of old sheet but thank you for all the responses.

Actually it's not my whole arm that is so tender, I realised, when I read Mrs.K. saying her nurse uses it after taking blood. So does mine and it's no trouble on the inner arm. It's the outside arm surface that is the problem and, of course, that's the side that gets damaged mostly. Strange.

Thanks to all of you for the replies and encouragement.

I didn't know you could get arnica in tablet form - might just give it a try - not that the bruises hurt it's just that they hang around for such a long time.

Betty E - yes - for me too it is only the outside of the arm that is so fragile and also the front of the shins is just as bad - these of course are the areas of skin that have had the most sun exposure over the years, so I guess they were already damaged before I ever had to take steroids.

Ciao - Hilary.

Arnica in tablet form is usually in homeopathic doses, can be taken acutely for an injury or longterm in a different dosage. Ask the pharmacy that sells it which you need.

Eileen

I've had this problem for a long time, I now use Melolin. I was always allergic to old fashioned sticking plasters - and micropore (as they found out when I had a hysterectomy - you have never seen such a mess) - and for years I was given the knitted sticky stuff which worked ok. I have now found that I can use some of the plasters for 'sensitive' skin. They don't stick all that well, but are useful in an emergency.

Nefret

EileenH

I started on the Arnica (longterm dose) 3 weeks before the operation on my foot. Also took Bach's remedy.

The surgeon was so surprised at the light bruising and asked if I had taken anything. I then told him - he asked for the Bach's remedy and noted down about the Arnica.

I often wonder what he did with the information!!!!!!!!

I used arnica on the recommendation of a friend, starting a few days before the operation to remove the plate from my leg. The nurses and physios were amazed at how little bruising there was post op and also how little pain relief I needed. Usually they expect more bruising to take the things out than when they were put in - I was out in the garden with my mother pruning 2 days post-op. Certainly achieved something however it did it!

Eileen