Skin problems and discoloration on prednisone

I've noticed for a few weeks now that my chest is always flushed. It looks like I got sunburn 3 days ago every day. And now the tops of my arms look flushed/purplish. I haven't gained weight, but I'm worried about getting stretch marks on my thighs because I think I see little striations. Maybe I'm just being paranoid though. I heard that it can make your skin thinner and I feel like I can see my veins a lot more prominently. It doesn't help that I'm kind of pale anyway I'm sure.

But I found 2 different small spots on my legs were I have these spider vein looking things. I don't know if maybe I hit myself or what. And I think I can see the hair follicles on my leg more even after shaving.

I'm almost 19 so the spider veins are not something that should be happening. My moon face started about 3 weeks ago and my face stays flushed longer when I wake up in the mornings.

I've been on the pred since December, 30mg with a slow taper down to 10mg. Started having problems off and on and then it got to the point that my doc put me up on 40mg at the end of June. No taper yet :-( I will probably start 6-MP or Remicade in a few weeks if I don't improve.

40mg pred

9 colazal (switched from 12 asacol about 5 weeks ago)

1 canasa at night (no improvement yet...10 days)

yaz for cramps (I think i'm going to stop it after my next cycle to see if that helps anything)

folic acid

vitamin a/d supplement

allign probiotics

Yeah. I'm always red. I look like I've been exercising or in the sun. Always flushed. I have gained weight on pred and definitely got stretch marks. First time I took it, after my son was born, I gained 80 lbs in 4 months. Can't avoid them that way. No one warned me about the weight gain. It was really depressing. I'm happy you haven't gained weight. You probably won't get stretch marks unless you have some type of rapid weight gain. Make sure you use lotion to help keep your skin elastic.

I've been on it since April this last time, and am ready to be off of it. I am trying to get Remicade started, too.

My face is so fat and round I want to rip it off. I haven't really notice spider veins as much. I do have some. I have noticed some in my face around my cheeks and chin. My complexion is really horrible and the last few times I have been on pred I have gotten really oily skin and blemishes.

I've got the fat face and a hellacious case of acne on my forehead and shoulders. 12 more weeks and I'll be off this stuff.

My son doesn't really gain much weight on prednisone, but it makes his legs look like he has been attacked by a weed whacker with all the stretch marks from his ankles to his waist. Sometimes he even gets them near his armpits. I wish he would let me take a picture as it is unbelievable. It is because Pred thins the skin, not because of weight gain (at least in his case).

This time he was on it for a short time so it's looking like he'll not get the stretch marks - either that or there is not room for more :-(

He does have a bit of flushing, and had a breakout of small bumps/acne on his chest.

Hope you are able to get off of it soon.