Ever since I started HRT, I realized that my skin has gotten really soft. As a result, I get cuts and scrapes REALLY easily.
What would have been a light (non bleeding) scratch before, now skin is being ripped off. Literally, I've been putting bandaids on my hands every 2-3 days for the past couple weeks! It's driving me nuts! Is this normal? If it is... omfg... it's going to be a hell for the rest of my life!
yeah, the outer layers of the skin get thinner, making cuts and bruises easier :|
You just need to learn to be more gentle with yourself.
While the tow replies so far are good, I urdge you, as strongly as I can, to go back to the Dr who is treating you and ask for advice.
It may well be something you will need to accept. But equally, the importance of intact skin is so great that you shold not risk this.
Moreover, tearing skin may be a sign of more serious problems. I've seen it often in elderly people.
You may simply need a vitimin suppliment, or you may need a different hormone.
Thanks for the quick replies... My latest scrape just happened when I was clearing a paper jam from a printer today. On Friday, I accidentally scraped my thumb with my own nail! Yesterday, I noticed a long finger nail scratch on my chest... I'm such a klutz... haha.
I'll try to be a little more careful with myself and talk to my endo at my next appointment in April. Nexcare waterproof bandages are my best friend now!
oww, sounds like a use for liquid plaster stuff
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=13279 (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=13279)
(shameless plug)
I can't guarantee that the extent of the softening is normal and you should definitely talk to your doctor, but in the meantime, you should know that estrogen does lead to softer, more delicate skin.
The best thing you can do in the meantime, whether your situation is of serious medical concern or not, is to be more gentle with yourself. But it is pretty normal for women and female-bodied people to get mild cuts and scrapes from things like copy machines and other hard objects. I'm not a Band-Aid user myself (my skin heals better when it can breathe and is kept dry), but if I were, I'd probably have gone through thousands in my adult life.
If you have nails past the ends of your fingertips and you are developing feminine skin (also good advice if you're frequently touching someone with feminine skin) make sure that you're not just clipping them off sharp - filing and buffing the edges and corners isn't just for looks, it's for safety. Lots of girls do nail maintenance daily, and most seem to keep at least an emery board with them most of the time in case they break or tear a nail. You could also just have them done at fingertip length.
As the others have said, estrogen will give you softer skin. And you should check with your doctor.
Are you using lotion regularly? Are you hydrating enough? Estrogen can dry the skin. By staying well-hydrated and using hand lotion, you can keep it resilient from the inside as well as the outside. I also use cuticle cream and a special extra-strength lotion on my hands before going to bed.
You are finally becoming who you always wanted to be. Take care of the new you. :)
- Kate
you must love it even just a little bit? ;D
my skins a lot softer and i bruise and scratch a lot more easily
and before hrt changes i never blushed or went red in the cold but now im like rudolf the red nosed reindeer whenever i leave the house :S and if i get embarased well i go rouge from the chest upwards...
were so much more delicate! ^o^
xoxo
Quote from: K8 on March 01, 2010, 06:25:38 PM
Are you using lotion regularly? Are you hydrating enough? Estrogen can dry the skin.
Oi, I never knew... lotion! I told my sister how my skin is so fragile and she gave me a big bottle of body lotion from Costco in response. D'oh!
This dry skin stuff is high maintenance!!!