What is a key effect of systemic corticosteroids on skin and wound healing?

What is a key effect of systemic corticosteroids on skin and wound healing?

• A. They strengthen skin and speed healing.
• B. They have no effect on healing.
• C. They cause thinning of the skin and delayed wound healing with increased infection risk.
• D. They prevent infection.

Answer: (C)

Systemic corticosteroids impair skin and wound healing by suppressing inflammation and inhibiting key repair processes. They decrease collagen synthesis and fibroblast activity, reduce angiogenesis, and blunt epithelialization, all of which slow wound closure and weaken the skin structure. The immune-suppressive effects further raise the risk of infection around wounds. So the major effect is thinning of the skin with delayed wound healing and higher infection risk. They do not strengthen skin or speed healing, and they do not prevent infection.