Skin rashes are uncomfortable for everyone, but they can be even more uncomfortable for seniors with thin, papery skin prone to tears. If not treated promptly, seniors can also develop infections or side effects from common rashes.
Sometimes, rashes cannot be prevented. But in other cases, good skin care and hygiene can reduce the risk of rashes. Seniors with trouble showering or engaging in good hygiene are more likely to develop skin rashes because it’s hard to keep their skin clean.
Personal care at home is a great way to help your mom or dad avoid rashes. With personal care at home, your mom or dad will have experienced help with things like showering and skin care to lower their risk of infections and rashes.
The most common rashes that seniors living at home get are:
Eczema
Eczema can cause dry, itchy, and inflamed skin that is really uncomfortable for seniors. It can also be difficult to get rid of. The biggest danger of eczema is that if seniors scratch their itchy skin bacteria can get inside the small abrasions in the skin and cause staph or skin infections.
Contact Dermatitis
This rash occurs when your senior parent’s skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen, causing redness, itching, and sometimes blisters. Common culprits include soaps, detergents, and certain fabrics. Dirty clothing, bedding, and towels can also cause contact dermatitis. Personal care at home can help your mom or dad avoid this by making sure they have clean clothes, towels, and bedding.
Psoriasis
This chronic autoimmune condition results in thick, scaly patches of skin, often on the elbows, knees, and scalp. It can be itchy and sometimes painful. If your mom or dad starts to develop scaly patches or skin or thick patches of skin that could be psoriasis make sure to get them an appointment with a dermatologist.
Shingles
Caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, shingles present as a painful, blistering rash typically on one side of the body. It can be accompanied by nerve pain that persists even after the rash resolves. Your senior parent should be receiving a shingles vaccination as part of their normal vaccinations, but if you’re not sure if they have had a shingles shot, check with their doctor.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This condition causes red, scaly patches, often on the scalp, face, and chest. It is believed to be linked to an overgrowth of yeast that lives on the skin and can be more common in those with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Drug Rashes
Seniors often take multiple medications, increasing the risk of drug-induced rashes. These can vary from mild, localized reactions to more severe, widespread rashes, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms like fever. If your senior parent starts getting a rash after starting a new medication, be sure to let their doctor know.
Intertrigo
This rash occurs in skin folds where moisture and friction can lead to inflammation and infection. It is common in areas such as the underarms, beneath the breasts, and in the groin. Personal care at home can help seniors avoid intertrigo by helping them clean and dry their skin daily.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Lakewood, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Denver, CO, today. Call (303) 647-1800
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Denver, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Denver, Englewood, Lakewood, Aurora, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Centennial, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Castle Rock and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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