La Jolla Senior Care News

Caring for Tender Skin: Elderly Care 101

Elder Care La Jolla CA

As we age, our skin undergoes a transformation that makes it more susceptible to injury, rashes, bruising, and infection. Understanding the changes that occur in aging skin and how to properly care for it can provide greater comfort and help fight off infection, pressure sores, and other medical risks for patients in home care.

How Skin Ages

As skin ages, it loses the subcutaneous layer of fat, becomes thinner, and heals more slowly than it did when in its youthful prime. Other issues come from a life well-lived – skin exposed to the sun for decades can become dry, wrinkled, develop age spots, and even cancer. The most common conditions for aging skin or dry skin, bruising, age spots, and skin cancer.

Addressing Specific Concerns

Dryness – This can be caused by dehydration, exposure to the sun, an arid environment, smoking, stress, and age. Certain medical conditions like diabetes can also contribute. Dry, itchy skin can be a risk factor for infection as thin skin is prone to breaking with frequent scratching.

Bruising – These can occur much more easily than they might in a younger body. If bruises begin to show up unexpectedly, without a known cause, speak with the doctor about it.

Wrinkles – Skin wrinkles with age and gravity. Exposure to UV and smoking can exacerbate the underlying causes of skin wrinkles. Avoid over-the-counter medications and treatments for wrinkles, many are not effective and some may be dangerous. If it is a significant concern, speak to the doctor about options.

Age Spots – Harmless, these flat, brown spots occur after years of spending time in the sun and show up where the skin gets the most exposure – the face, hands, arms, back, and feet. Sunscreen can help prevent them if used regularly from a younger age. A similar issue – skin tags, are small, raised areas of skin that are also harmless. If they are a major concern, a doctor can help remove them.

Cancer – Skin cancer is highly prevalent in the United States, and is primarily caused by UV radiation from the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. Fair skinned, freckled people are at the highest risk, but any skin tone is susceptible. If caught early, skin cancer is treatable. Check the entire body once a month for the ABCDE’s signs of skin cancer. Speak to the doctor immediately if any signs are present.

The Skin Cancer ABCDE’s

A – Asymmetry

B – Borders are irregular

C- Color changes (or multiple colors present)

D – Diameter larger than pencil eraser

E – Evolving (changes in size, shape, symptoms, surface)

Protecting Skin

The best way to care for aging skin is to keep it moisturized, eat healthy, stay hydrated and minimize exposure to UV radiation. Don’t bathe or wash hands in hot water, as it dries out the skin and follow up with moisturizer. Drink plenty of water and make use of a humidifier in dry rooms. Wear sun-blocking clothing like a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, and lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts. Always use sunscreen and ditch the tanning beds.

La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Costa, CA, and the surrounding communities."]” data-sheets-userformat=”[null,null,767,[null,0],[null,2,10667209],[null,[[null,2,0,null,null,[null,2,0]],[null,0,0,3],[null,1,0,null,1]]],[null,[[null,2,0,null,null,[null,2,0]],[null,0,0,3],[null,1,0,null,1]]],[null,[[null,2,0,null,null,[null,2,0]],[null,0,0,3],[null,1,0,null,1]]],[null,[[null,2,0,null,null,[null,2,0]],[null,0,0,3],[null,1,0,null,1]]],2,2,null,0]”>For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities. 

Source

Inspired from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/skin-care-and-aging

Brittnei Salerno

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