steroids make you bruise? - Allergies Message Board

singer1 · 02-18-2004, 05:05 PM

My Mother has been on steroids since July of last year. When she scratches her arms, she gets spots that bruise. She says that her Dr. said that steroid usage makes the skin thinner thus, making her bruise more easily. I don't buy that theory at all. Has anyone ever heard of this? My Mother is 65 years old.
Thanks for your responses!!!!

PinkBanana · 02-18-2004, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singer1

My Mother has been on steroids since July of last year. When she scratches her arms, she gets spots that bruise. She says that her Dr. said that steroid usage makes the skin thinner thus, making her bruise more easily. I don't buy that theory at all. Has anyone ever heard of this? My Mother is 65 years old.
Thanks for your responses!!!!

Her doctor is right though. Steroids DO thin the skin..believe me, I have been on every different kind of steroid there is out there I think lol. This is why one cannot use strong topical corticosteroids for a long period of time..you'll get skin infections and stretch marks. I'm not sure of exactly why, I know your skin is considered a part of the immune system though..but it does happen.

Blue-eyedBelle · 02-18-2004, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singer1

My Mother has been on steroids since July of last year. When she scratches her arms, she gets spots that bruise. She says that her Dr. said that steroid usage makes the skin thinner thus, making her bruise more easily. I don't buy that theory at all. Has anyone ever heard of this? My Mother is 65 years old.
Thanks for your responses!!!!

Yes, the dr. is definitely correct. Steroids are one of the medications that can thin the skin. And thinner skin leads to easier bruising.

CheerAngel · 02-19-2004, 09:28 AM

Hi there, I guess you gotta believe the doctor. Steroids does thin the skin especially if one is on long-term steroids, he/she will get bruises easily. ~Patients on moderate to high doses of prednisone often notice that they bruise easily, even with only slight trauma cause Prednisone causes "thin skin".~