thin skin | Arthritis Information

Having been on MTX for about a year now, and in the throes of a flare, I have just upped my dosage to 25 MG. However, over the last few weeks I have been bruising easily, cutting easily, and now the slightest scrape of my nail on my face opens a wound that scabs. All these blemishes take forever to heal.

I am enduring extra pain as a direct result of my refusal to take prednisone, in an effort to avoid just such steroidal side effects as thinning skin and hair. I am upset that I have developed thinning skin anyway. Is this the cumulative effect of a year on MTX? Would it be even worse if I were on a steroid? Is there anything I can do for myself to make my skin more substantial and less prone to injury?

Thanks for any help.

Blue,

I think that methotrexate as a cancer drug, mtx attacks fast growing cells. Cancer cells are fast growing cells. So are skin cells, bone cells and gi cells. I'm not sure what your big concern is with prednisone. Low dose prednisone is more benificial than detrimental. I have used it for about three years and my biggest problem is the gaining of weight. I have fluctuated my dosage depending on my pain. Keep in mind that if you have pain, you probably have bone erosion and joint destruction going along with it. I am not advocating the long term, high dose prednisone but certainly think that you should discuss it with your doctor and give good consideration to using it until the Doctors have your disease under control. Just my opinion. Good luck with any path you choose.

LEV

I have been on Methotrexate for a number of years--3-4(?). I always bruised easily but I really do not notice any big difference. At my age, thin skin, bruising, abrading, tearing, and generalized skin discolourations and "barnacles" and simply part of the daily process of living. My dermatologist prescribed Vitamin K cream that has helped, especially those spidery veins and bruising on my face and forearms. However, it is not the cure-all often seen in advertising and it takes a very long time to actually see results.

http://www.beautysurg.com/learn/general_healing6.html [quote]Vitamin K Cream
Vitamin K cream applied twice daily can help minimize bruising, as well as spider veins, rosacea-caused redness, and dark circles under the eyes. (If used under the eyes, it works best when combined with a skin lightening cream such as kojic acid or hydroquinone).[/quote]YMMV

Best wishes, Shug
Levlarry, I'm sure you are right about the MTX causing this by attacking fast growing cells, and skin cells certainly qualify. I am comfortable with my decision to avoid steroids for the time being.

SnowOwl, I too am taking 4 mg folic acid and very recently started 3000 mcg of biotin. I take vits, calcium, fish oil, and C. I suspect I am doing everything I can and just need to be gentle with my skin now. A dermatologist is a good idea. Honestly, I hate to whine but right now, after seeing my GP, eye doctor, dentist, and rheumy, I am so sick of specialists I could scream. If there is an area of my body not affected by this stupid disease I don't know what it is! I was looking for a Magic Solution. Thanks to all.

I was hoping you would find the Magic Solution because I also have this problem BIG TIME and I'm not on MTX. I've blamed it on Medrol and have been weening off that. In the meantime, my skin is like tissue paper and I have red/purple blotches all over my arms. When I get a tear it takes forever to heal up. Maybe this is just part and parcel of the RA. I'm also beginning to wonder if there is a part of the body not effected by RA! No fun!MTX also slows the healing process so these little scratches and sores take forever to heal. Make sure to use sort of antibiotic cream on all these broken skin places. It does help speed things along and helps avoid infection where the skin is broken.

I'm no longer on MTX but I was for many years and know all to well what you are talking about. I still bruise very easily; but I've noticed that my sores do seem to heal somewhat faster....although Humira has a simular effect on the healing process.

oN MTX for two years and I don't really feel thin skinned. I dont' bruise easily either. I take 1000 mg vitamin C and rosehips

I have been on 15mg Methotrexate since I was 16yrs olf. I'm 38now. My skin does bruise but not tear easily. You take 25mg a week which is 10more than my dose. But, i think steroid is worse for your skin anyhow.
[QUOTE=Bluehour]...I am so sick of specialists I could scream. If there is an area of my body not affected by this stupid disease I don't know what it is! I was looking for a Magic Solution. Thanks to all.[/QUOTE]
I absolutely, positively, and whole-heartedly agree with the screaming scenario: maybe we could have a joint yell?

Much to my dismay I learned this past summer that NO, there was not any area of my body that was unaffected. Not any area...

Keep searching for the Magic Solution; promise you will share it with us!

Cheers, Shug
I've been out of town and missed the last couple posts in response to my complaining. Shug, nice to hear from you. I promise if I find that solution you'll be the first to know.

Hmm...hey, wait a minute! My ears don't hurt! How about you guys? Made of cartilage and without any joints, are ears safe from the depredations of RA?