| As a person ages it is normal to see the
| |
| | Dry and itchy skin may be more of a
|
| appearance of wrinkles and age spots.
| |
| | problem in winter when there is less
|
| Elderly people can also develop skin
| |
| | humidity. Consider the following as
|
| disorders that can lead to serious
| |
| | suggestions to prevent or treat dry,
|
| medical problems. Older people need to
| |
| | itchy skin:
|
| give their skin more care than when they
| |
| | - After shower or bath, gently pat skin
|
| were younger. This is important because
| |
| | with a towel, but leave the skin moist.
|
| older skin is less oily, less elastic and
| |
| | Apply a lotion, body oil or moisturizer
|
| thinner. It will bruise easier and take
| |
| | that is high in petroleum such as
|
| longer to heal when cut.
| |
| | AquaphorTM or EucerinTM. Avoid
|
| To protect against most kinds of skin
| |
| | moisturizers with perfume or alcohol;
|
| cancer at any age use a sun protection
| |
| | these will dry and irritate the skin
|
| factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Also
| |
| | - Use warm, not hot water for your bath
|
| consider wearing long sleeves and a shady
| |
| | or shower and keep them short. Do not
|
| hat to give protection from the sun.
| |
| | scrub the skin roughly. Use a soft cloth
|
| If you experience any of the following
| |
| | or sponge. Use glycerin soap or
|
| symptoms call a health care professional
| |
| | moisturizing cream such as ToneTM or
|
| or go to the emergency room:
| |
| | DoveTM and rinse off well.
|
| - Sudden, severe generalized itching,
| |
| | - If you experience problem dry spots,
|
| which can be a sign of liver or kidney
| |
| | try applying petroleum jelly to the
|
| disease, thyroid disorder or allergy
| |
| | troubled areas after bath or shower. If
|
| - Blisters or rash on forehead or temple
| |
| | you use petroleum jelly be sure to wear
|
| with inflammation or pain in the eye.
| |
| | pajamas and/or sock to protect bedding
|
| This could be indication of shingles
| |
| | and clothing.
|
| involving the eye, which is an emergency
| |
| | - Change bed sheets and clothing often.
|
| that must be treated immediately.
| |
| | Wash clothes and sheets in detergents
|
| Call a health care professional during
| |
| | free of perfumes and fabric softeners
|
| office hours if you experience any of the
| |
| | that could irritate the skin. Be sure to
|
| following problems:
| |
| | rinse clothes and bedding thoroughly. An
|
| - Severe itching on underarms, abdomen,
| |
| | older person should wear cotton.
|
| hands, wrists and groin, which can be a
| |
| | Synthetics and other fabrics can be
|
| sign of scabies or mites and is easily
| |
| | irritating to the skin.
|
| treated. Sometimes scabies and mites can
| |
| | - Drink plenty of water. Decrease us of
|
| be picked up during a hospital stay
| |
| | caffeine and alcohol.
|
| - If a mole grows in size, larger than
| |
| | Source: Foundation for Health in Aging
|
| one-quarter inch, are discolored (pearly
| |
| | Disclaimer: These statements have not
|
| blue, black or red and irregular shape)
| |
| | been evaluated by the Food and Drug
|
| or if moles bleed
| |
| | Administration. The information in this
|
| - A skin problem that starts or becomes
| |
| | article is not intended to diagnose,
|
| worse just after starting a new medicine,
| |
| | treat, cure or prevent any disease. All
|
| increasing dose, or finishing the course
| |
| | health concerns should be addressed by a
|
| of a medicine
| |
| | qualified health care professional
|
| - If a skin ulcer stays longer than two
| |
| | This article is FREE to publish with the
|
| weeks without healing or grows in size
| |
| | resource box.
|
