Thinning skin making me feel ancient.
Hi all.
New to the forum. I have been taking a low dose of Fostair twice a day for adult onset asthma and copd. Also Spiriva respimat In the mornings.
I’ve been taking these for approx 3 years. I stopped the cigarettes at the same time. I am a 58 year old male. I have always kept myself in good shape and reasonably fit, despite the cigarettes. I work out after work every day of the week. With lots of cardio and weights at the weekends. Things are pretty good, apart from the damage the inhalers are doing to my skin. Blood spots under the skin almost continually, as well as crepe paper skin that tears easily. It’s really getting me down lately. I try to keep my arms covered as much as possible but in the summer it’s not really possible. My GP has asked the dermatologist team if they can help. They just replied that it’s normal. Another caveat to this is that I was born with a defective heart valve and will need further surgery in around five years time, after which I will be placed on warfarin blood thinners, so I have a fear of being cut and being unable to stop it. From what I’ve read, it seems all I can do is moisturise the skin, but this doesn’t help at all. Has anyone had any help with this kind of thing please. Or any advice or thoughts please. Thanks.
I don’t have an answer other than to let you know that I’m in the same camp; 57, adult onset asthma (likely inherited from my mom) using Trelegy. My arms bruise easily … got my right arm stuck in a grocery store freezer door (reaching for my favorite pizza) on Saturday … you should see the huge bruise on my right forearm. I am extra careful not to bang into anything, and moisturize arms after showering. Other body parts seem unaffected.
Ouch - that sounds painful. I'm sorry you got your arm stuck. I honestly don't know if I had to avoid bumping into things to remain bruise-free myself. I feel like I hit the corner of a wall, smash my fingers in something like a drawer, and turn around only to knock my knees on furniture DAILY. I hope your bruise is quick to heal and not too painful. I certainly hope I don't need to be on skin-thinning or bruise-producing meds in the future. Just a warm thought sent your way. Rebecca (team member)
What a dilemma ~ needing asthma corticosteroids that cause bruising and skin thinning. It has been a known side effect for a while. Unfortunately, I haven't seen many ideas to help resolve this issue other than maybe switching inhalers. Here's a link to a forum discussing this very problem. https://asthma.net/living/bruise-easy-your-inhaled-steroid-might-be-to-blame Hoping others chime in and offer up ideas. Best of wellness. Rebecca (comm advc) 
Yes, I have the same issue with thinning skin, excessive bruising and tearing of the skin at simple touches! Was after my panels of Dr.’s for years to identify what the issue is. I’m 71, quite active, and otherwise healthy! What simple gardening would leave me gashes on my forearms and lower legs. Finally after 2 years of multiple testing they identified it as skin thinning from my corticosteroids inhalers. My dermatologist put me ammonium lactate lotion for my arms and legs, which made a huge difference in a week, and collagen power supplements. I still bruise but no where near what I did before…and more importantly my skin hasn’t been tearing.
Thank you for adding your personal experience here with thinning skin and asthma. Thinning skin and bruising -- as you can see by this link (https://asthma.net/living/bruise-easy-your-inhaled-steroid-might-be-to-blame) are common side effects of inhaled steroids. Thank you for sharing what works for you. Before your comment here I was unaware there was a treatment for this. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator. Hi. Could I ask which collagen supplements your doctor gave you, please. Thanks.
