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