Side-effects of steroids

Steroids can make you more likely to catch viral infections, such as chickenpox, shingles and measles. This is because they restrict the way your immune system reacts to viruses and bacteria.

You may become very ill if you catch these, even if you’ve previously been infected. Avoid close contact with anyone who has these infections and seek medical advice if you are exposed, or if a member of your household gets one of these infections.

You should also have a flu jab, as flu can be more serious in people with lowered immunity.

Let your doctor know if you notice any signs of infection, such as:

• temperature above 37 degrees C
• redness or soreness
• wounds taking longer than usual to heal.

If necessary, you’ll be given antibiotics to help fight the infection.

Speak to your doctor without delay if you:

• feel thirstier than usual
• need to wee more often, especially at night
• notice your wee has changed smell.

These symptoms could suggest that your blood sugar levels have temporarily risen and you may have steroid-induced diabetes. This will usually clear up by itself when your steroid dose is reduced or stopped.

Occasionally, some people develop type 2 diabetes as one of the side-effects of steroids. This will need to be managed throughout life. This is more likely following longer-term usage of steroids (longer than 3 months).

During your course of steroids, your blood sugar levels will be monitored using blood tests. This is particularly important if you already have diabetes.

It’s fairly common to feel hungrier than usual when you’re taking steroids and eating more can obviously lead to weight gain.

Steroids can also cause the redistribution of body fat. This can lead to the build-up of fat at the back of the neck (resulting in a small hump), around the midriff, or on the face, making your features more rounded (some people refer to this as ‘moon face’).

Once you stop taking steroids, your appetite will return to normal and you should gradually lose the excess weight. 

It’s important to note that losing weight is not recommended if you have an active tumour or are currently receiving treatment. However, if you’re concerned about your weight gain, you can speak to your doctor for advice or follow our simple tips for changing your diet.

Women may find that their periods become irregular or stop.

Your hands and feet may swell because your body is not getting rid of fluid. To help reduce the swelling, avoid standing in one place for too long or crossing your legs.

It’s also helpful to raise your feet when you sit or lie down.

Following a low salt (low sodium) diet can also help, but check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Taking steroids for a long time can cause bone thinning, often known as osteoporosis. This means that bone fractures are more likely. If you’re concerned about any of these effects, you should speak to your health team.

With long-term use of steroids, your legs and shoulder muscles may feel weaker.

When the steroids are stopped, some people may have muscle cramps for a short time.

If you take steroids for a long time (more than a few months), your skin may feel thinner and you may bruise more easily.

Skin thinning is an uncommon, temporary side-effect of steroids, but when combined with weight gain, it can result in stretchmarks.

Speak to your doctor, who may lower the dose of steroids. Skin thinning generally disappears once the dosage is lowered.