@A MyCOPDTeam Member, I did not get them on my legs, but my arms were not only covered with purple blotches; they were also so fragile that even a casual brushing up against a hard surface would tear off several layers of skin. In my case -- and I'm stressing this because I understand that disagreeing with a doctor is considered treason worthy of death by firing squad by some -- the inhaled corticosteroids in Dulera were the culprit, causing not only the bruises but a number of other aggravating symptoms, including gastritis and weight gain. This was not something I cooked up on my own -- I found supporting documentation in the New England Journal of Medicine, and the gist of it is that some of us really need those drugs and, sadly, must suffer the side effects, but for those of us who are not having exacerbations (i.e., flare-up of symptoms requiring hospitalization), they aren't necessary. When I weaned myself off of them (doctor prescribed a substitute drug without steroids that works just fine), my arms are now completely normal. My stomach still hurts, but not like it did, and I'm gradually shedding the weight. What bothers me is that the same amount of drug seems to be prescribed for everyone, despite our age, size, or condition, and I've been especially outspoken about my being miffed that I was the one who had to tell my doctor what was causing the problem and not the other way around.

Mentioned Users

A MyCOPDT...

@A MyCOPDTeam Member, when that started happening to me, several doctors insisted it was because I am "elderly and fair-skinned." I've always "bruised easily," but these marks are not bruising. They are broken capillaries that have nothing to do with being bumped. I understand that many of us have inflammation severe enough to need those "inhaled corticosteroids," but I'm willing to bet not nearly as many need it as are using them per advice from their doctors. In addition to having arms blotched so badly that I looked as though I had one-color tattoos all over both of them, I had a number of irritating symptoms with no apparent cause. After much research, I weaned myself off of Dulera (Advair, Symbicort are similar drugs). I'm still old and I'm still fair-skinned, but the marks on my arms now are only freckles. Doc substituted Serevent (no steroids) as a substitute, but apparently it isn't prescribed often and my pharmacy has to order it.

BTW, if you look at the picture to confirm my claim of being fair-skinned, I'm 72, my PFT numbers are in the Very Severe range, on 02 24/7, and when my cousin surprised me with her camera (I had hidden from cameras for four years), I held my oxygen tube out of range for those few seconds. Am I being vain? Yes. I'm also breathing no better or worse than I was before getting off those steroids!

Mentioned Users

A MyCOPDT...

Using steroids weakens the walls of your blood veins so you tend to rupture blood veins easy so you bruise easy.

For those who are remarking about their skin getting thinner or sloughing off more - this is a side effect of steroids. Some of the puffers we use have steroids in them, so even if you're not on prednisone you may be getting some steroids in your inhalers.

If you are taking the 81mg aspirin you will definitely bruise easily. If you bump yourself just dab a bit of castor oil on the place you bump...it often will not bruise or will be just a slight bruise. I keep a small bottle in my purse for that reason. Castor oil keeps the bruise away when you get a shot at the Dr. office.