"Thin skin" - anyone know what might cause this?

[Ringsender2]

My skin seems quite thin /fragile, and if I itch my back I'll often cause a scratch. This might be at the location of a small blemish, or nothing at all.

Also, if I scratch a small blemish on my arm or leg, or knock a scab, it'll often bleed quite a lot.

Any thoughts as to what this might be related to? Vitamins? Minerals? EFAs?? My diet is probably pretty lacking in all the nutrients, including proteins.

My mums skin was very thin, and we put it down to the steroids in her asthma inhalers which she used for years.
No idea if that is even right.

Steroid use does thin skin.

I would recommend seeing your GP and getting some blood tests taken (eg full blood count, vitamins, thyroid etc).

I used to go through something a bit similar. I would always bruise really easily, and any sort of minor scratch/nick would end up leaving scars. I ended up having low vitamin d and once my levels improved I stopped having these issues.

Thanks both. I have inhalers but I barely use them. I don't use topical steroids. In fact I rarely use body cream. Just use regular soap in the shower.

The skin on my back does get itchy. I'll subconsciously scratch, or scratch in my sleep, and end up with small weals and scabs. It's annoying

Have you always been like this? Are you hypermobile? Ehlers Danlos Syndrome can cause fragile skin- its genetic and there are a few different types. There are many other symptoms that go hand in hand though.

Hi Pananay no, definitely not hypermobile. I used to be quite flexible back in the day, but more in a 'touch your toes' kinda way, not a 'wow, really?!' way. Not very flexible at all now!