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