Common Skin Problems with the Elderly

Skin ages just like every other part of our bodies. In our twilight years, we may encounter skin concerns that we've never faced before. Aged skin must be handled and treated delicately because it is no longer robust and capable of enduring even the smallest abuse.

Bed Sores

Elderly people often become non-ambulatory and, as a result, are confined to their beds. When this happens, they can develop pressure sores, according to Oxbridgewriters.com. Pressure sores are also called bed sores and are associated with poor circulation and restricted movement. When certain parts of the body like the back have pressure put on them repeatedly or for prolonged periods of time, pressure sores can develop. When pressure sores appear, the skin easily tears because elderly skin thickness decreases by about 20 percent.

Sensory Loss

Oxfordbridgewriters.com further explains that sensory loss occurs in skin as we age along with loss of inflammatory response. When the skin tissue weakens, we have less immunity against disease and infections.

Handle With Care

Aged skin can become so delicate that even touching the skin can cause bruises. Moving an elderly person from one position to another, or from one place to another, requires a gentle touch because the elderly person's skin may be so fragile that even the tiniest bump can cause it to tear and bleed. Removing a bandage from an elderly person's skin can result in a tear, according to Findarticles.com.

The Ravages of the Sun

Excessive sun exposure over the years will definitely show up on your skin later in life. Ultraviolet rays wreak havoc on the dermis, which is the deep layer of skin, causing damage to the elastin fibers and collagen. This is what causes the skin to become thin, nearly transparent in some cases, and frail. Age spots or liver spots are the result of ceroid-pigment buildup in the skin, which occurs in the skin of older people. Pre-oxidation of fats occurs in these skin cells rather than in the liver, which is an outward indicator of free radical destruction within the body, according to Health-cares.net. Age spots are caused by over-exposure to the sun, poor diet and sluggish liver function.

Stasis Dermatitis

Women over the age of 50 may experience stasis dermatitis, which is a skin condition that results in swelling; redness; tenderness; and dry, scaly skin, according to Uihealthcare.com. Stasis sermatitis is caused by deficient blood flow in the veins and results in the pooling of water in the lower leg. If you scratch your leg, bruises and even ulcers can appear on your legs.

Exfoliative Dermatitis

Men, more so than women, may be experience exfoliative dermatitis, which is a condition that causes excessive peeling or shedding of the skin, according to Uihealthcare.com. The skin condition makes the skin feel tight, and hair loss in the affected area may occur. This can be caused by autoimmune deficiencies, drug reaction, malignancies or leukemia.

Wrinkles, Dryness and Thinning Skin

Wrinkling develops as skin loses its elasticity. As a result, skin begins to furrow and sag and becomes thin and wrinkled, according to Health-cares.net. An older person does not produce as much sweat as a younger person. Over time, sweat and oil-producing glands begin to atrophy. Sweat helps keep our skin lubricated. Thin, dry skin simply doesn't rebound like new skin. If you cut yourself, it may take days to heal. Thin skin is suspectible to mild trauma, according to Findarticles.com. Aged skin, unlike young skin, no longer serves as a barrier against infection, bruising and water loss. Blood vessels become fragile and thin. When this happens, hemorrhaging can result.

Resources

• Uihealthcare.com
• Dkimages.com