Page 49 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2024 - Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES SENIOR RESOURCES

ELDERLY SKIN

CONDITIONS

Skin Tear and Bruising

Dr. Joe Wolcott is a Certified Wound Specialist Physician with over 10
years of wound care experience. The Southwest Regional Wound Care
Center bridges the gap between medicine and science to utilize the
most effective and innovative wound treatments.

Senile Purpura

Diagnosing and treating skin problems in senior citizens requires careful consideration of age-related changes, potential
underlying health conditions, and a tailored approach to care. Below is an overview of common skin conditions, their
diagnoses, and treatment options in elderly individuals:

1. Dry Skin (Xerosis) repositioning, special » Antiviral medications:
Diagnosis: Visual inspection for mattresses or cushions Acyclovir, valacyclovir, or
dryness, flakiness, scaling, and rough » Wound care: Cleansing and famciclovir to reduce severity
patches. Patient history regarding dressing the wound; topical and duration
hydration, bathing habits, and antibiotics if infected » Pain management:
environment may also be relevant. » Nutrition: Ensure adequate Analgesics, topical lidocaine,
• Treatment: protein and calorie intake to or gabapentin for post-
herpetic neuralgia
» Moisturizers: Use thick, promote healing.
emollient creams or 3. Bruising (Senile Purpura) » Prevention: Shingles
ointments (e.g., petrolatum- Diagnosis: Easy bruising, particularly vaccine (Shingrix) is highly
based products). on areas like the forearms and hands. recommended in older
adults.
» Hydration: Encourage fluid No associated pain or inflammation.
intake if appropriate. • Treatment: 5. Skin Infections
» Avoid irritants: Use mild » Prevention: Protect skin from Diagnosis: Fungal or bacterial
soaps, lukewarm water for minor trauma by wearing infections can be diagnosed by visual
baths, and limit bathing time. long sleeves or soft padding. inspection, culturing swabs, or biopsy.
Common presentations include:
» Humidifiers: Use in dry » Moisturizers: Help keep skin
environments. supple and less prone to ◦ Fungal: Red, itchy patches, scaling,
and sometimes oozing, particularly
2. Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores) tearing. in moist areas (e.g., athlete’s foot)
Diagnosis: Inspection of pressure » Avoid blood thinners (if ◦ Bacterial: Warm, swollen, and
points like the hips, heels, elbows, and possible): Discuss with tender areas with possible pus
back. Staging based on severity: a healthcare provider if formation (e.g., cellulitis)
Stage 1: Redness without skin medications like aspirin • Treatment:
breakage or anticoagulants are » Antifungals: Topical or oral
contributing.
Stage 2: Skin loss with a shallow ulcer antifungals (clotrimazole,
4. Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Stage 3: Deeper tissue loss Diagnosis: History of prior terbinafine) for fungal
Stage 4: Extensive tissue damage, chickenpox infection. Presentation of infections
possibly to muscle or bone a painful, unilateral rash that follows » Antibiotics: Topical or oral
• Treatment: a nerve distribution. antibiotics for bacterial
infections (e.g., cephalexin or
» Relieving pressure: Regular • Treatment: doxycycline)

Lubbock Senior Link 49