The strength of immunity gets decreased with the increase in the age numbers. This is one of the reasons why seniors are prone to get health conditions of all sorts. While it is important to focus on all aspects of health, it is the skin that needs special attention as many of the skin conditions are preventable and all it takes is a little care.
In medical terms, skin conditions in the elderly could be categorized into two Intrinsic and Extrinsic. Intrinsic conditions occur as a result of the natural aging process and extrinsic conditions, as the name implies, occur due to the external skin-damaging factors such as long-term and continuous exposure to environmental pollutants and ultraviolet light, and lifestyle factors such as smoking.
In addition, being diagnosed with chronic health issues such as diabetes, excessive usage of medications and congestive heart conditions can be detrimental for the skin. Due to the impact of these conditions the immunity of the skin and the body’s ability to heal on its own will get diminished beyond cure.
Taking care of their aging needs along with the skin health will become a strenuous task for the seniors. Alternative living options such as assisted living facilities and the senior aging communities come in handy as the personal medical assistants and the caregivers provide the required support for the seniors to manage their health.
This blog is an attempt to help the elderly community and their bloodline in understanding the common skin health issues in seniors that are triggered by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
1. Eczema
Eczema is one of the most common skin diseases in seniors. Particularly, eczematous dermatitis (which includes different types of eczemas such as asteatotic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and nummular eczema) can be found in most of the aging individuals.
Symptoms: The symptoms of eczema are easy to interpret and characterized by lesions that are in coin-shape and grey or yellow in colour. These lesions are most commonly located on the dorsum of hands, lower legs and on the trunk.
Treatment: Treatment for eczema usually employs medium or high potent steroids and petroleum jellies. Also, antibiotics and few diet-related instructions are given based on the lifestyle of the patient.
2. Xerosis
Commonly found on legs, trunk and hands, xerosis is characterized by dry, cracked and fissured skin with scaling. This condition occurs due to epidermal water loss and it appears as a pattern of cracked porcelain.
Symptoms: The skin will have lots of cracks or splits that are deep enough to disrupt the dermal capillaries, resulting in bleeding sometimes. Scratching or rubbing may have an inflammatory response, making it worse. Additionally, environmental allergens can easily penetrate the skin causing infections.
Treatment: The treatment is focused on retaining and maintaining the moisture in the skin. To achieve this, the primary treatment for xerosis includes keratolytics, steroids and moisturizers. Again, the treatment components will be decided based on the skin type of the individual.
3. Purpura
Purpura can be characterized as ecchymoses or the condition of haemorrhages in the skin that small in size. This is a result of decreased platelet count in the blood or abnormalities in the platelets or defects in the vascular system, drug reaction or due to external trauma.
Symptoms: There are various medications that can decrease the number of platelets, leading to purpura. As a result of aging in which the skin loses dermal fat and collagen, seniors are more susceptible to this condition.
Treatment: Treatment is given to address the underlying cause and medications and nutrition are given to increase the platelets as soon as possible. Administration of glucocorticoids and immunoglobulins can help in addressing the issue.
4. Pruritus
The typical characteristics of pruritus include scratching and inflammation. This condition is often associated with a major condition and as an effect of histamine constant itching and inflammation are thought to be induced.
Pruritus is believed to be psychogenic in the origin. However, there are numerous skin conditions that are associated with pruritus, making it one of the most common skin disorders in seniors.
Symptoms: Pruritus is an inflammatory condition and can be seen in the individuals who have been diagnosed with conditions related to renal issues, thyroid disease, neuropathy, hepatic disease and diabetes.
Treatment: The initial stages of treatment focuses on easing the effect of inflammation while providing relief to the individual. In the further stages, the focus is shifted onto the underlying condition to which pruritus is associated with.
As we age, skin becomes rough and dry, loses it elasticity and becomes transparent and thin. The loss of elasticity means the increased chances of bruising easily. These symptoms of aging could be delayed with a bit of care on a regular basis. Take a look at the ways you could reduce the damage that is being occurred to the skin.
Prevention of Skin Damage
- Skin has the ability to repair itself and with the help of proper diet that includes drinking lots of water and exercise can help in retaining this healing power.
- Reduce sun exposure as much as possible. Use a sunscreen lotion with an SPF of 30 or more.
- Avoid going out in the sun. If it is necessary, wear full sleeve clothes. This is not a cosmetic feature but a solution that provides the required protection for your skin.
Skin undergoes a number of changes as we age. The personal habits, lifestyle, diet and heredity play the leading role in determining the health of your skin. Protect your skin with the help of nutritious diet, regular exercise and periodic health check-ups for healthier skin.
