Elderly Care in Greenwood, IN – Your Elderly Loved One Could Be Suffering from One of these Common Skin Conditions
As we age, our skin loses its youthful glow and may fall victim to hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, dryness and other undesirable conditions. While many of these conditions are purely superficial in nature, some of them – such as bedsores and skin cancer – can be painful or even deadly. Elderly health care providers should be aware of any sudden changes in the skin of their clients so these conditions can be properly treated.
Common Skin Conditions Among the Elderly
- Aging can cause the following skin conditions:
- Dry, rough skin
- Thinning or transparent skin
- Decreased elasticity
- Frequent bruising
- Growths that are benign in nature
- Loss facial skin
Many elderly people also suffer from the following skin issues:
Wrinkles – The most common sign of aging, wrinkles occur when the skin’s flexibility decreases. Those who smoke or spend a lot of time in the sun tend to have the most wrinkles.
Laugh lines – These facial lines can appear on the forehead, temples, upper cheeks and around the mouth, eyes and nose.
Dry, flaky skin – A common skin condition among seniors, dry skin is caused by a loss of oil glands. However, it can also mean kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes, so when this issues occurs suddenly, a checkup may be in order.
Age spots – These are brown patches typically found on the face and arms due to sun exposure.
Bedsores – These are skin ulcers that afflict those have mobility issues and are bedridden. Diabetic seniors are prone to bedsores because they tend to experience decreased sensation.
What Causes These Skin Conditions?
Sun exposure – The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause the skin’s elasticity to break down. This can lead to variety of skin issues, including wrinkles, sagging, growths and even skin cancer.
Diet – Antioxidants – such as those found in fruits and vegetables – can help keep your complexion youthful. Sugars and fats can have the opposite effect, causing skin to look dull.
Heredity – If your parents have youthful skin, then chances are you’ll be the recipient of these anti-aging genes.
Smoking – Nicotine narrows blood vessels, negatively affecting blood flow to the skin. This means that the skin doesn’t receive important nutrients.
What To Do
Those with dry skin should increase hydration with a moisturizer, use a humidifier at home (especially in the winter), eat a healthy balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, and take a multi-vitamin, to start with. There are injectable fillers, such as Botox, that can fill in pronounced wrinkles, but only if a senior’s doctor declares the procedure safe. Any new moles or skin growths should be evaluated by a dermatologist, as skin cancer is a possibility.
The caregivers at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is an elder care agency providing quality and affordable caregivers in elderly care in Greenwood, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.
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