DrupalWomenQ-#8538

I am 61 and have been taking prednisone for 16 years for Rheumatoid arthritis and my skin has gotten very thin. I just reached into a corrugated box and tore a huge chunk out of my arm with the corner of the box. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to thicken or strengthen the skin?

0 Answers

  1. lessalt wrote on :

    VJ
    I feel for you – I’m 68 and my skin has become paper thin in the last 10 years. From what my Doctors tell me, there is nothing to be done for it. I try to be careful but it takes so little to bruise or tear the skin. I’ve always taken care with my appearance but this is just one of those things. From my experience I will tell you that they do make bandaids now for Sensitive Skin. They are not always easy to find but seem to be more available lately. You can even order them online. When I get a bruise on my hands or forearms sometimes I can cover it successfully with leg and body make up.

    Reply
    • Vera Brasher wrote on :

      Lessalt,
      It is very scary. My brother, who passed away just a few months ago, had a terrible time with his arms. Any little brush against something would tear the skin. And I mean tear it! His arms were always bruised and raw. Sometimes the skin would tear so badly it was like a knife had been used to cut layers from his arm. I used to think how awful that would be and now mine are going in the same direction. I think that fingerless, elbow length gloves may be in my future.
      Thank you for your suggestion for the Sensitive Skin bandaids.

      Reply
  2. Longhornmom wrote on :

    Unfortunately, long-term steroid therapy has many effects on the body. Try to avoid cuts and often you will bruise easily. Vitamins A,B Complex, C and E can help strengthen your skin. Check with your physician before taking any over the counter supplements to prevent adverse reactions. If you do injure yourself wash it with soap and water or saline. Pat dry. Don’t use peroxide, it damages the granulating tissue the grows when healing. Try to align torn tssue and secure with steri-strips. Cover with a non-stick gauze and secure with a gauze wrap. Avoid tape and bandaids. They can tear your skin and cause more problems. I hope this helps and good luck! Tina RN
    L

    Reply
    • Vera Brasher wrote on :

      Hi Tina,
      I do take those vitamins and I try to be careful but I’m kind of a klutz and my balance is not good so I tend to run into things. I also refinish furniture so am always nicking myself with one thing or another. I was really hoping to find something that would actually help to thicken the skin. I tried wearing gloves but find them to get in the way.
      Thanks for your advice.
      Vera

      Reply
    • Cheryl Wilson wrote on :

      Excellent advice! I would only add that paper tape is the answer if one has to cover a wound for some reason. I cannot use any adhesive because of allergy and paper tape has been a lifesaver for me!

      Reply
    • Vera Brasher wrote on :

      I have not tried paper tape. And just this week I was removing staples from a fainting couch (that is being turned into a bed) and stuck a staple into my arm. Lots of bleeding and although I tried to cover it with gauze, I could not get it to stay. I finally just gave up and slapped a band aid on it. Well, when I removed the band aid it took a piece of skin with it. I will definitely purchase paper tape the next time.
      Thanks for the advice!

      Reply
  3. Jessica Krant, M.D. (Derm) wrote on :

    VJ, this is a tough one. Unfortunately, it’s true, long term prednisone does have a side effect of thinning the skin, making it more easily bruised and torn. There isn’t much that can really reverse this, especially if you are unable to manage the rheumatoid arthritis without a lower prednisone dose. One thing that might help is using a lactic acid lotion such as Am Lactin or Lac Hydrin. Check with your dermatologist before trying another product: over the counter retinol, or prescription strength tretinoin (Retin-A). These vitamin A derivatives may help thicken the epidermis layer, but absorption of vitamin A in the larger quantities that would be used for arms and legs (rather than face) should be discussed with your doctor. Good luck and take care.
    -Dr. Krant

    Reply
    • Vera Brasher wrote on :

      Hi Jessica,
      Is Am Lactin or Lac Hydrin something you can get over the counter? I will give them a try. At this point I am open to all suggestions. My arms and hands look as though I have been in a cat fight!
      Thanks. Vera

      Reply
    • Jessica Krant, M.D. (Derm) wrote on :

      Yes Vera, over the counter strengths of those are available. Stronger requires prescriptions.
      –Dr. Krant

      Reply
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