A rapid increase in skin extensibility due to prednisolone

We have tested the short‐term effect of prednisolone on the ability of the skin to withstand a shearing stress, using a specially designed stretching machine. A single intravenous infusion of 2 g prednisolone given to seven patients with alopecia totalis produced an increase in skin extensibility within 2 h which persisted for at least a week. This acute effect could be due to a change in dermal ground substance or to breaking of collagen crosslinks. We suggest that patients receiving very large doses of glucocorticoids should avoid undue exertion during, and for some time after, treatment, since a similar effect might occur in the connective tissue of other organs, such as the aorta.