Our
skin changes as we age. It becomes thinner. It loses some
of its elastic quality. It is injured more easily and heals
more slowly. The older you become, the more important it
is to care for your skin.
Many
of the problems in skin appearance are caused by sun damage.
Wear a sunscreen with at least a 30 Sun Protection Factor
(SPF) every time you are in the sun. You are never too old
to start wearing sunscreen. It may not reverse
skin damage, but it can help prevent further damage from
the sun. It can also help prevent skin cancer. It is important
to pay attention to new spots or changes in freckles or
moles. See your healthcare provider if you are concerned
about a skin lesion. Many skin cancers are easily removed
in your doctor's office.
Dry
skin is a common problem in older adults. To avoid dry skin:
shower or bathe with warm, not hot, water; apply a skin
lotion over your whole body after you towel dry; always
shower and apply lotion immediately after swimming in a
chlorinated pool or sitting in a spa; avoid saunas; apply
lotion allover your body at bedtime; use only soaps designed
for dry skin; and consider using a humidifier on cold, dry
winter days.
It helps
to be slightly damp when you apply skin lotion to help lock
in moisture. But, do not leave yourself too damp, or you
can develop fungal infections. Women should completely dry
under the breasts, and both men and women should dry their
genital areas well after showering or bathing.
Stasis
dermatitis is a skin condition that causes redness, inflammation,
and scaling and is common in people over the age of 50.
It is caused by water rentention in the lower leg due to
impaired blood flow in the veins. Women are more likely
to have this condition than men. People with this problem
tend to scratch, causing bruises, ulcers, and more damage
to the leg. Leg elevation, elastic bandage wraps, and, treatment
with medications to cause water loss can help. In some cases,
antibiotics may be needed.
Exfoliative
dermatitis is excessive peeling or shedding of the skin.
About 75 percent of people with this problem are over age
40. Women are twice as likely as men to develop this condition.
The skin may feel tight, or hair is lost in the affected
area. Some causes include scarlet fever, leukemia, or drug
reactions. Treatment with cortisone may help.
Be sure
to talk with your healthcare provider if home care does
not resolve a skin problem.
