The skin becomes more wrinkled and spotted with age and loses its elasticity. In addition to expanding in thickness, the dermis also loses its elasticity, making it more vulnerable to the effects of environmental factors and elevating the risk of developing a variety of disorders, including keratosis and herpes zoster.
If you have spent a lot of time in the sun throughout your life, if you smoke cigarettes, or if you have other diseases such as diabetes or kidney illness, your skin will age more quickly than it would otherwise. The following are some of the most prevalent skin conditions seen in adults of advanced age:
Photoaging
Resulting from prolonged exposure to the UV light that the sun emits. The skin begins to show signs of aging, such as fine and coarse wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, roughness, brownish patches, yellowing, and small superficial blood vessels.
Pruritus or itching
Because xerosis, which is another name for dry skin, is typically the root reason, it is advised that older people drink enough water. Itching can also be a symptom of a variety of conditions, including contact dermatitis, scabies, anemia, liver problems, and others. It is recommended that you use mild soaps, Vaseline, emollients, creams, and lotions with urea or lactic acid, all of which help eliminate flaking, keep the skin hydrated, and relieve itching. This will help prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Herpes zoster
It strikes senior persons at a rate of four out of ten, and its duration and severity worsen with advancing age. It is an infection of the skin that is caused by a virus and is distinguished by the formation on the skin of a rash that is reddish in color and on which painful vesicles appear, which thereafter dry out and convert into scabs.
Skin rashes
Medications, acne rosacea, venous ulcers, and other conditions such as these can all contribute to the development of this condition, which is another one of the most common skin problems affecting the elderly.
Benign tumours
In general, the most common skin issues in the elderly are:
- Pre-malignant skin lesions (particularly keratosis or seborrheic warts).
- Malignant tumours.
- Melanoma.
- Pre-malignant skin lesions.
Skin care tips
- HYDRATION
As people become older, their bodies require more water, which means their skin needs to be hydrated even more. It is suggested that individuals consume two and a half liters of water each day, significantly increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables, and make use of particular moisturizing lotions. It is also recommended to stay away from dry conditions and make use of humidifiers in the home.
- HYGIENE
It is advisable to use extremely mild soap soaps, to have a bath or shower with lukewarm water, to pat the skin dry with a towel, and to apply moisturizing cream while the skin is still wet. Exfoliants that are created with natural materials and that are applied to the body through gentle massages come highly recommended as well.
- SUN PROTECTION
The effects of the sun’s photoaging on the skin are cumulative, and it is the sun that causes it (the older you are, the greater the risk of developing melanoma or skin cancer). It is recommended to use sun protection factors that are extremely high and to stay out of the sun as much as possible by wearing caps, loose cotton garments, and light-colored clothing.