| Elderly people and their caregivers should know about | | | | their skin is more thin, and more susceptible to |
| elderly skin care. It is important to realize some of | | | | tearing. Which just leads to a bigger problem. So, to |
| the common traits, problems and solutions. Elderly | | | | reduce itchiness, try using a bathing oil after bathing. |
| people will have some specific issues that need to be | | | | Be very careful to avoid applying to hands and feet |
| recognized and treated effectively. This page will help | | | | so the risk of slipping is minimized. Apply talc to areas |
| you care best for elderly skin.Elderly Skin TraitsThe | | | | that sweat to minimize any fungal growth which can |
| most common factor among elderly skin is the fact | | | | lead to itching. And keeping humidifiers in popular |
| that it is usually always dry. This is because as we | | | | rooms will help relieve itching.Keep An Eye On It: |
| age, our skin begins to thin. As it thins, it is less able | | | | Elderly skin care should also always include routine |
| to retain moisture, thus leading to dry skin.Dry skin | | | | examinations of the skin for skin cancer and other |
| can lead to problems in a younger person, but can | | | | skin disorders. Look for moles that are changing |
| cause even more problems for the elderly. The thin | | | | shape (asymmetrical), color, or are just looking |
| skin is easier torn, and that lets bacteria get in. The | | | | different. Look for areas that are peeling, red, |
| elderly have a harder time fighting bacteria off, so | | | | irritated, chapped, cracked or have severe itching. |
| you don't want anything to increase their chances of | | | | Keep an eye out for new growths, sores that do |
| infection.Treating Elderly SkinElderly skin care will | | | | not heal, the appearance of new sores and pain. |
| always include caring for dry skin. Treating dry skin is | | | | Knowing elderly skin care will help you recognize |
| not hard; it just requires astute attention and getting | | | | these potential problems. If you notice any of these |
| in the habit of taking care of it.Here's how you do | | | | conditions, please see a doctor.Don't Forget The |
| it.Keep It Clean: Always keep the skin clean. This | | | | Feet!As we focus on elderly skin care, let's not |
| applies especially to the feet, groin, underareas and | | | | forget one of the most important (yet often |
| armpits. Individuals who sweat should wear loose, | | | | overlooked) area of the body. The feet. The older a |
| absorbent clothing that will wick the wetness away. | | | | person gets, the more prone the feet become to |
| If skin stays wet too long, it can become prone to | | | | problems. Corns, calluses, warts, dry skin, fungal |
| fungal infection, rashes and even become extremely | | | | infections, ingrown toenails, blisters and other foot |
| dry.However, avoid hot baths or too frequent | | | | deformities are common. Proper care of your feet, |
| showering/bathing. This will dry skin out further. | | | | including |
| Warm water is the most | | | | regular checkups by a doctor, can alleviate most of |
| effective, and bathing every other day is probably | | | | these problems. The feet are also a great way to tell |
| the most frequent to get.Cream based cleansers for | | | | if a person |
| face and body are perfect. Often, only localized areas | | | | is at risk for diabetes.The Routine: Clean feet |
| need to be soaped; the rest of the body can be | | | | thoroughly with warm water, and dry them |
| flushed with warm water. Avoid very bubbly | | | | completely. Remember to get between the toes! |
| products, as they usually contain harsh detergents | | | | Thoroughly massage lotion or moisturizer into the |
| that dry out skin.Keep It Hydrated: Keeping dry skin | | | | feet, avoided the spaces between toes. Trim the |
| hydrated is the best way to avoid potential problems | | | | nails straight across, and not right next to the nailbed. |
| like cracking, pain and itchiness (which we'll discuss | | | | Round sharp edges with a file.If the person is |
| below). After showering or bathing, lather all over | | | | immobile, do daily foot exercises to get blood |
| with a thick hydrating cream. This will help seal in the | | | | circulating.Always wear comfortable shoes, even |
| body's natural moisture, and help skin be more | | | | around the house. This is to protect the feet from |
| comfortable.For the day, invest in a heavy-duty | | | | outside injury, as well as discomfort caused by |
| moisturizer with sunscreen. At night, use a hydrating | | | | inappropriate footwear.The Inspection: Each day, |
| night cream before going to bed.Keep It From | | | | inspect feet for a change in color, dryness, swelling |
| Itching: Elderly skin care is all about dry skin. But what | | | | or tenderness. Check for any of the ailments listed |
| makes skin dry? Well, as we age, our bodies | | | | above, from corns to blisters. Be aware of any |
| decrease their production of oily secretions, which | | | | different sensations, like tingling, numbness or pain. |
| help keep skin soft, supple and hydrated. This | | | | Seek treatment if any of these signs are |
| decrease leads to drier skin, which can become itchy | | | | apparent.Now you know all you need to about elderly |
| and uncomfortable. And when our skin itches, we | | | | skin care. Go forth, be healthy, and enjoy these |
| scratch it.This can be harmful for an older person, as | | | | years. |