Just an update following my GCA emergency trips to hospital a few weeks ago. Increased 2 weekly injections are working. However, I just have such, thin, vulnerable skin. My wrists and legs are covered in bruises. I just gently knock a wrist or a leg and huge blue bruises. Is this the drugs? My wrists look like I have been in handcuffs but all I have done is knock them getting stuff out of the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishes out of the cupboard x
Hi Hilary. I suffer from the same thing, I assume its the preds. I also find that if you cut them it is hard to stop the bleeding. Good luck and I hope you soon get over it.
My sympathies. I hate this. People think I have been beaten or some other atrocity, which I have not.
Rheumy advised to take Biotin, which is a B vitamin for this and for thin hair issues. I take 10,000 mcgs daily. 5000 in the morning and another 5000 in the pm. No side effects as it is excreted if taken in excess. Takes a while to work. Be patient. Also, stay out of the sun or cover up. Sun affects the skin negatively and tends to thin it. The combo of sun + Prednisone is not ideal.
All the best,
Paula
Hilary, tavidu is right, Pred can cause thinning of the skin and easy bruising - it is a common side effect experienced by many of us. Keep your skin really well moisturised - Double Base Gel is excellent - and keep a supply of arnica cream handy for the bruising. It will improve as you reduce the steroids.
I have been getting them, but as I taper healing happens much faster. Hoping now that I'm down to 5 they'll stop appearing altogether. 
I am always covered in bruises. I had a blood test the other day and the nurse was seeing how many bruise colours she could see on my legs! I am a sort of living Picasso. I don't know where they come from, I even have them on the back of my hands. My osteopath even leaves bruise fingerprints on me.
Yes, from me, also. Mine are mostly on arms and hands. I can get even without bumping that I know of. I have learned, also, not to carry a bag etc over my arm, which I a a multi tasked, LOL. recently diagnosed with GCA along with a year of PMR. was down to 10, now back up to 50, but I will do anything to save my eyesight! Hang in there, and know you are not alone
I take Biotin for my nails and hair - did not notice any difference on the skin though.
I make exercises for the arms to make the muscles more firm and massage them with a body cream.
This makes all the difference not regarding the bruises, but the texture of the skin what let me use short sleeves during Summer.
Hope you get your skin somehow better.
Hope you feel better in a general way !
🌸
Exactly. Bruising is one of the least concerning side effects, to me anyway. 
For me is a big concern because due my Ataxia, when I hit a corner of the wall or an iron guard rail it cuts my skin and an infection follows, then antibiotics, and even though it takes weeks and weeks to heal.
I have had several similar episodes
I dread them.
Well, it is what it is - there is a moment in life that patience is required ...
owch, that's not good. 
I don't know your age but this happens with the aging process in some
people. I started brusing years ago before PMR came on the scene.
I was told it was because my skin had lost it's elasticity. I usually just
get the bruising on arms and legs. I was told by PA working in the
dermatologist office to put coconut oil on my arms. It helps but
still get spots just smaller. I didn't see any of it get noticeably worse
when PMR showed up. You just have to be aware all the time about
where you put your hands and arms. Working in the yard is a
nightmare.....It has a name that I can't recall right now.
That's right it is a good size problem when it happens 😩
Hi Hilary I have the same problem with bruising since being on Pred for 8 mos. My skin is thin and damages easily on my hands and forearms. I'm not a Spring chicken any more but since Pred the bruises and broken veins on my legs have increased dramatically! Oh joy! The veins on the back of my hands break easily too and then I have more like a blood spot rather than a bruise. Sometimes I have multiple ones on both hands. Ugh! It's a trade off. Either the pain from the PMR or all these side effects of Prednisone. At least on the Prednisone I can have some of my life back. Hope things improve for you soon. I'm told the side affects diminish as you reduce the Pred so at least there may be light for us at the end of the tunnel 😊
Thanks everyone. I know it is nothing compared to the pain of PMR/GCA. It was just something that started after increasing my dose since GCA. Glad to know that is the cause. At least it gets me out of doing the gardening. I just scratched the back of my hand yesterday and it bled like crazy. The funny thing is I got married in July and by the way my friends are looking at my bruises, I suspect my friends think my lovely husband is kicking me around!!
Oh Hilary, there is never a 'good' time to have PMR and/or GCA, but what rotten timing for you so soon as after your marriage. Fingers crossed that you will have a smooth path to remission so that you can really enjoy the future with your new hubby. Belated congratulations.
No idea if it has anything to do with it - but I and another lady both swear our leather-standard skin and lack of bruising has been helped by NEVER using soap or other foaming products which strip the natural oils from the skin. We shower in water - the only soap that comes near my skin is the very small amount of shampoo I use when I wahs my hair every couple of weeks. OK, I know I live up a mountain and the air is probably cleaner but once you have worked your way to not washing your hair more than once a week or so it stays fine.
And if that is the difference it is fine by me - after all. I'm on anticoagulants too so you would expect me to have bruises...
I want to congratulate you for your recent marriage! Happiness and Joy.!
Yes, the skin thing - we are in the same big boat with other ones too.
My GCA came with Ataxia - lack of balance which makes it easy to get bruises all over some followed by infection if there is a cut on the skin.
As I make weight bearing to help my bones my arms have their muscles quite firms and it helps to firm the skin as well. I massage with proper body lotions. For many years I had been taking Biotin what may do some good.
Anyway the Pred Is responsible for the biggest part of the damage on our skin😔
Take care
🌸
Thank you. I am interested in the weight bearing exercises for your arms. Can you tell me what you do?
I use the dum bells and exercise with them daily because I have Osteopoenia and for many years I follow the recommendations of my specialist. The dumb bells I use are 3 pounds and others 5 pounds,
The movements with the arms carrying them are the basics and very simple. If I find a pic somewhere i will send it to you .