Elderly people and their caregivers should know about elderly skin care. It is important to realize some of the common traits, problems, and treatments for elderly skin. Elderly people have some specific issues that must be considered and treated effectively in order to ensure their good health.
Elderly Skin Traits
The most common factor among elderly skin is that it is almost universally dry. As we age, our skin begins to thin. As it thins, it is less able to retain moisture, thus leading to dry skin. Elderly skin is paper thin and thus, quite dry. Dry skin can lead to problems in a younger person, but can cause even more problems in the elderly.
Secondly, it is very thin. The more thin the skin, the more easily it is torn. Tears can happen from cuts, scrapes, and even friction from clothing or jewelry. When skin is torn, bacteria can get in the wound and cause an infection. The elderly have a harder time fighting these types of infections off, so it is important to minimize their exposure from the beginning.
Treating Elderly Skin
Elderly skin care must include caring for dry skin. Treating dry skin is not hard; it just requires regular attention. Here's the easiest way to help dry skin:
Keep It Clean: Always keep the skin clean. This applies especially to the feet, groin, and armpits. Individuals who sweat should wear loose, absorbent clothing that will wick the wetness away. If skin stays wet too long, it can become prone to fungal infection, rashes, and even become extremely dry.
However, avoid hot baths or too frequent showering/bathing. This will dry skin out further. Warm water is the most effective, and bathing every other day is plenty frequent when dealing with very dry skin.
Cream based cleansers for face and body are perfect. Often, only localized areas need to be soaped; the rest of the body can be flushed with warm water. Avoid very bubbly products, as they usually contain harsh detergents that dry out skin. The lather is often produced by a very drying ingredient called sodium laureth sulfate. One of the best soaps? Ivory. That staple from childhood is a soft, gentle, effective cleanser.
Keep It Hydrated: Keeping dry skin hydrated is the best way to avoid potential problems like cracking, pain, and itching (which is discussed below). After showering or bathing, lather with a thick hydrating cream over the entire body. This will help seal in natural moisture and help skin be more comfortable.
For the day, invest in a heavy-duty moisturizer with sunscreen. At night, use a hydrating night cream before going to bed.
Keep It From Itching: Elderly skin care is all about dry skin. But what makes skin dry? As we age, our bodies decrease production of oily secretions. These secretions help keep skin soft, supple, and hydrated. This decrease leads to drier skin, which can become itchy and uncomfortable. Often when skin itches, it is scratched.
Scratching excessively is not a big deal for most people, but it can be harmful for an older person. Their this skin is more susceptible to tearing, which leads to a bigger problem of potential bacterial infection.
To reduce itchiness use a bathing oil after bathing. Do not apply to hands and feet until out of the bathroom because it can cause slipping. Apply talc to areas that sweat in order minimize fungal growth, which can also lead to prolonged itching.
Humidifiers are an excellent way to keep skin hydrated throughout the day. Place them in the most used rooms to help decrease dry, itchy skin.
Keep An Eye On It: Elderly skin care should always include routine examinations of the skin for skin cancer and other skin disorders. Look for moles that are changing shape (asymmetrical), color, or that just look different. Look for areas that are peeling, red, irritated, chapped, cracked, or have severe itching. Keep an eye out for new growths, sores that do not heal, the appearance of new sores, and painful areas. If you notice any of these conditions, please see a doctor.
Don't Forget The Feet!
With the focus on elderly skin care, it's vital to remember one of the most important (yet often overlooked) areas of the body.
The feet.
The older a person gets the more prone feet become to problems. Corns, calluses, warts, dry skin, fungal infections, ingrown toenails, blisters, and other foot deformities are common. Proper care of the feet, including regular checkups by a doctor, can alleviate most of these problems.
If a person is having a lack of feeling in their feet, or a sense of pins and needles, they may be suffering nerve damage. A trip to the doctor is advised in this situation.
The Routine: Clean feet thoroughly with warm water and dry them completely. Remember to get between the toes! Thoroughly massage lotion or moisturizer into the feet, avoided the spaces between toes. Trim the nails straight across and not right next to the nail bed. Round sharp edges with a file. Cover with socks or slippers.
If the person is immobile do daily foot exercises to get blood circulating. This consists mainly of rotating the ankles, flexing the foot and toes, and massaging the area by hand.
Elderly people should always wear comfortable shoes, even around the house. This is to protect the feet from outside injury, as well as discomfort.
The Inspection: Each day inspect feet for changes in color, dryness, swelling, or tenderness. Check for any of the ailments listed above, from corns to blisters. Be aware of any different sensations like tingling, numbness, or pain. Seek treatment if any of these signs are apparent.
Knowing the basics of elderly skin care is the first step to remaining healthy and comfortable.
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Lynn Starner founded Beauty Bliss Mineral Cosmetics ( http://www.beautyblisscosmetics.com ) in 2004.
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