How to treat scabies in older people causes. Senile itching of the skin: causes, developmental features, treatment in the elderly

03.05.2020

In old age, the skin becomes too dry, resulting in severe itching. The provoking factors are the lifestyle, habits of a person and the presence of certain diseases. As a rule, senile itching of the skin is noted in males, but it can also affect women.

Senile itching in the form of nocturnal painful attacks is observed in persons who have reached 50-70 years. The disease most often affects men.

Aging is a natural process, which, nevertheless, is the cause of many negative changes in the body, which often lead to unpleasant consequences.

In older people, hormonal balance and metabolism change, serious structural and functional changes are undergone by the circulatory, nervous, digestive system and other parts of the body.

Last but not least, these changes affect the skin - one of the most sensitive elements of the human body. This is especially true for women, whose skin has a number of significant differences from men.

Thinner, delicate and exposed to destructive factors of the external environment, she is one of the first to experience the consequences of age-related changes.

In elderly patients, there are numerous changes in the skin: it becomes dry, wrinkled, loses volume and elasticity. Age spots and other defect appear on the surface of the skin, which often cause significant psychological discomfort to patients.

However, even more unpleasant manifestation age-related changes is senile itching in women. A severe itching sensation is common reason insomnia, anxiety-depressive disorders and can lead to serious consequences.

Systemic drugs

Treating senile itching is not an easy problem. It is not easy to establish the true mechanism of itching. Therefore, in general, patients are prescribed individually selected symptomatic treatment.

Of the drugs of general (systemic) action, antihistamines are prescribed (Erius, Kestin, Zodak, Claritin) - they relieve itching well. Some antidepressants are also effective, for example, mirtazapine (Calixta, Mirtazapine Canon), paroxetine (Paxil, Paroxetine, Rexetine, Sirestill) and anticonvulsants (for example, Ggabapentin), which inhibit the central mechanisms of itching.

Outdoor medications to relieve itching

With increased dryness of the skin, moisturizing creams are prescribed. If the itching is very persistent and is accompanied by inflammatory skin rashes, ointments and creams are prescribed, which include corticosteroid hormones - Akriderm, Ftorocort, and so on.

Menthol-based ointments also relieve irritation and senile itching of the skin, for example, Boromenthol ointment, which contains boric acid and menthol. You can also use 1-3% menthol oil, it relieves itching and gives a feeling of coolness to the skin. The Golden Star balm also works.

Folk remedies for senile itching

Causes of itchy skin

It is not only the insufficient retention of moisture by the skin that matters, but also a decrease in the amount of secretion of sweat and sebaceous glands. All this is largely due to atrophic changes, both in the dermis itself and in the small blood vessels and nerve fibers that are suitable for it.

Scientists explain itching in the elderly by the influence of several factors, each of which can be expressed to a lesser or greater extent in different people. Highest value have age features skin: usually it is dry and thinned, with reduced turgor, the healing and renewal processes of the skin are slow.

It is not only the insufficient retention of moisture by the skin that matters, but also a decrease in the amount of secretion of sweat and sebaceous glands. All this is largely due to atrophic changes, both in the dermis itself and in the small blood vessels and nerve fibers that are suitable for it.

The average age of the disease is 35 years. Moreover, it appears more often in men.

The disease is characterized by the fact that it has too frequent repetitions, which can last up to a year. The most interesting thing is that scientists have not yet identified the specific cause of the appearance of Duhring's dermatitis herpetiformis.

Therefore, the following factors are taken as a basis:

The disease is inherited.
The formation of a tumor inside the body.
Too much sensitivity to iodine.
Worms in the body.
Defeat by infection or virus.
Pregnancy or menopause.
And also factors can be physical, psychological overwork.

With dermatitis herpetiformis, the causes can be completely different. But these are the main conditions for the appearance of such a disease.

The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are still not clear. Experts believe that it has an autoimmune nature. In the basement membrane (at the border of the dermis, epidermis), the researchers found IgA antibodies.

A significant role in the manifestation of this disease of high sensitivity to iodine preparations is noted. During the experiment, the patient was injected with iodide solution (3-5%). After administration of the drug, the appearance of a rash was noted, which is typical of the type of skin disease under consideration.

In a large number of patients, doctors discovered an intolerance to the gluten protein that cereals contain.

Among possible reasons the following are considered:

heredity;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, gastritis);
diseases with viral etiology (herpes, ARVI);
ascariasis.

The manifestations of dermatoses are different, and they are provoked by external as well as internal causes in any age range. Dermatosis can manifest itself in the form of an allergic reaction, poisoning and disturbances in the body's immune system, various inflammatory, infectious diseases with a long course, diseases endocrine system, blood diseases and blood vessels, prolonged fever.

Cosmetics can also cause dermatosis, mechanical damage, chemical components, piercings, contact with stinging and poisonous plants, professional allergens, insect bites, tattoos.

The main cause of itchy skin of the body in the elderly is a decrease in the activity of the production of elastin by the epidermis.

The skin becomes dry. Turgor and smoothness are lost, peeling appears.

Note! Very often, discomfort is a protective reaction of the body in response to external stimuli.

Natural causes

Discomfort is not always provoked by pathology. The main natural causes are shown in the diagram.

Pathological causes

The diagram shows the% of the occurrence of factors that provoke the appearance of itchy skin.

Specific reasons

Some provocative factors cannot be attributed to either natural causes or serious illnesses.

The etiology of bullous pemphigoid is currently the subject of scientific debate, and research in this area has helped form several main hypotheses that explain the causes of this condition.

The most widely held belief is that this autoimmune disease develops due to the presence of certain mutations that alter the major histocompatibility complex.

This is partly confirmed by the fact that among patients with bullous pemphigoid there is an increased number of people with MHC DQB1 0301 as the second class allele.

However, to date, no mutations or other genetic disorders have been identified that could be unambiguously associated with this skin disease.

The pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid has been studied somewhat better etiology, which makes it possible to reliably state the autoimmune nature of this condition. The main targets for attack by the immune system are two proteins of the epidermis - one of them, BP180, is a transmembrane protein and is currently associated with collagen type 17.

The second antigen involved in the development of bullous pemphigoid, BP230, is located inside the cytoplasm of epidermal cells and, presumably, belongs to the plakin group.

These two proteins are related in their function - they participate in the formation of semi-desmosomes and maintain the ordered structure of the stratified epithelium.

In all patients with bullous pemphigoid, antibodies of class G are found in the blood plasma, which have the ability to bind to the autoantigens BP180 and BP230.

Their appearance is associated with the development in the body of autoreactive T-lymphocytes against the above proteins of epithelial cells. T-lymphocytes are responsible for the cellular immune response, simultaneously activating B-lymphocytes that produce antibodies.

The binding of T-lymphocytes and antibodies with their own proteins of the skin and mucous membranes activates the complement system, which attracts other immunocompetent cells to the pathological focus, mainly neutrophils and eosinophils.

In some patients with bullous pemphigoid, a significant participation of mast cells (mast cells) in the pathogenesis of the disease was revealed.

Types of pathology

Currently, there are several types of the disease:

Papular - on the body of a rash in the form of papules
Bullous - the skin is covered with bullae
Vesicular - the skin is covered with vesicles
Urtica-like - burns appear on the skin that resemble stinging nettle burns
Para-oncological - a case when the development of a rash begins from the appearance of a tumor

In general, in medicine, several dozen types of dermatitis are distinguished, but there are also the most frequently diagnosed ones.

Dry dermatitis

This type of disease manifests itself exclusively in the cold season, is more often diagnosed in elderly and senile patients. The causes of dry dermatitis are:

dry indoor air;
long-term exposure to cold air on the body;
functional / organic diseases;
hereditary and psychosomatic factors.

Dry dermatitis has a clear localization - on the feet and rarely manifests itself in other places of the body. The symptoms of dry dermatitis are considered to be:

excessively dry skin on the feet;
cracking of flaky spots on the feet;
itching at the site of localization of the skin disease;
redness of the affected skin.

Distinctive feature this type of dermatitis is its long course and a clear seasonality of exacerbations.

Sign of age or symptom of illness

In most cases, itchy skin in older people (also called senile) is a common sign of their age. Gradual vascular atrophy, thinning of the subcutaneous tissue, which occur over the years, leads to the fact that the skin retains moisture very weakly.

Senile itching manifests itself differently in each person, but it is usually characterized by:

seizure swings: from mild to severe;
exacerbations and recessions replacing one to one;
absence of rashes or suppuration on the skin;
the fact that even after very frequent scratching, no marks remain on the skin, and the nails, on the contrary, acquire the effect of polishing;
at night, the skin itches especially strongly.

And dry skin and its excessive sensitivity, just, and cause the desire to scratch.

If a person has already crossed the 65-year-old age limit, there is nothing pathological here, although the sensations, of course, are unpleasant and sometimes they do not even allow you to fall asleep.

Senile itching symptoms

Itching is the most common skin complaint in patients over the age of 65. It is often neglected by many people, although itchy skin can have a serious impact on quality of life in old age, especially through sleep deprivation.

Given the many changes that accompany old age, managing pruritus in old age presents a particular clinical challenge.

Itching can be of different strengths, but more often it affects the stronger sex. Often its intensity is such that the patient cannot tolerate.

The duration of the disease can be counted for months. But the patient's body is not always covered with scratches.

In some patients, from continuous scratching, the nails on the hands are polished, and the skin becomes dry, covered with boils, age spots, eczematous foci.

This unpleasant phenomenon is explained by metabolic disorders, dermis dehydration, atherosclerotic processes. It is most pronounced in the dark and can spread to any part of the body.

In some patients, the disease develops during menopause.

The appearance of such a disease is characterized by rashes of various kinds: blisters, papules or spots.

The spots are smooth, over time, bubbles form in their place, all this merges together and forms a huge focus of inflammation. Large or small blisters contain fluid.

If there is an infection inside, then the liquid is cloudy. With the passage of time, the blisters burst, forming erosion.

When it passes, a mark or scar is left on the skin. A rash can appear anywhere, except for the palms, soles, mucous membranes.

Most often on the arms, legs, shoulder blades, buttocks. Besides the rash, dermatitis herpetiformis Dühring has a number of symptoms:

Places of the rash itch a lot, tingle, there is a burning sensation
Body temperature rises
The person is tormented by insomnia
Feeling of general weakness of the body
Oily gray stool
Disruption of the thyroid gland

When a woman is pregnant, such a disease can appear in the second trimester. With treatment, you must be very careful so as not to harm the fetus. If such symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor for help.

The disease begins acutely with the formation of foci of polymorphic rash. At the onset of the disease, the patient is disturbed by the following manifestations:

red spots;
blisters;
swelling;
bubbles;
annular arrangement of bubbles.

As symptoms of dermatitis, hyperemia and swelling of skin areas, a feeling of heat and an increase in temperature can act, the skin can become covered with bubbles filled with transparent liquid, in some cases - ulcers.

All changes in the skin are usually accompanied by itching or burning. Sun and stress can intensify inflammation and can also irritate the skin.

Diagnostics of the bullous pemphigoid

Severe itching in the elderly is a systemic manifestation; it is difficult to diagnose and differentiate it from the symptoms of chronic pathologies, but the availability of modern laboratory techniques allows this to be done.

First of all, the doctor carefully examines the patient and collects an anamnesis. He must understand when the first signs of malaise appeared and whether there are peaks in their manifestation. After the interview, a visual examination of the patient is carried out. Each area of \u200b\u200bthe skin from the back to the legs is examined.

In order to distinguish senile itching from contact dermatitis, psoriasis, scabies and urticaria, an analysis is required for latent allergens, scraping from the affected areas.

To assess the functioning internal organs held biochemical analysis blood. Itching in people of advanced age can cause helminthic invasions, so a study of feces for helminth eggs may be prescribed.

The resulting material allows you to confirm or exclude a fungal or viral infection. The causes and treatment are closely related to each other.

The patient needs to undergo an iodine test. To do this, take petroleum jelly and potassium iodide, make an ointment, apply it to a compress.

Such a compress must be kept for a day on a healthy part of the body. If blisters, rashes or inflammation appear on the body every other day, the person has dermatitis.

If there is nothing, then the compress is removed. It is imperative that the patient be sent for testing.

Blood is donated, bubble samples are taken. If a high concentration of eosinophils is found in them, a person has dermatitis herpetiformis.

An analysis is carried out for a biological component, which will show in detail the presence of the disease. Elderly people must be checked for tumors.

In parallel, the doctor may prescribe an ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan of the kidneys. This is due to the fact that this type of disease is closely related to oncology.

The definition of a disease such as bullous pemphigoid is made on the basis of examination data by a dermatologist, immunological studies and histological examination of the tissues of pathological foci.

On examination, depending on the stage of development of the pathology, an erythematous rash, formed blisters located symmetrically, urticarial rashes of varying intensity, healing erosions, sometimes covered with a crust, can be observed.

General analysis blood in about half of cases of bullous pemphigoid shows moderate eosinophilia, sometimes leukocytosis. Also, in the peripheral blood, using the immunoprecipitation reaction, it is possible to detect IgG that have the ability to bind to the BP180 and BP230 antigens.

Histological examinations for bullous pemphigoid include simple light microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy. When viewed under a microscope, at various stages of blister formation, an epidermal fissure can be found, then a subepidermal bladder, which turns into an intraepidermal bladder.

The dermis under the pathological focus is sharply edematous, leukocyte infiltration, consisting mainly of lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils, can be expressed in different ways.

Immunofluorescence microscopy reveals the accumulation of class G immunoglobulins and complement fractions (most often C3) along the basement membrane of the epidermis.

In bullous pemphigoid, these molecules are predominantly concentrated on the outside of the basement membrane. Differential diagnosis should be carried out with pemphigus vulgaris, exudative erythema multiforme and epidermolysis bullosa.

Itching treatment

Since itching is a symptom various diseases, expert advice is required.

Nervous itching

After the diagnosis of senile itching is established, the treatment is selected individually, taking into account all the characteristics of the organism of a particular patient. The use of medications for senile itching is limited for a number of reasons:

With age, the functional activity of the liver and kidneys decreases. Therefore, the half-life of drugs increases, and their use in therapeutic doses can lead to significant side effects.
Local treatment is safer, but in some patients it is difficult due to physical and cognitive impairment.
The multitude of reasons leading to the development of senile itching makes it difficult to choose a drug that will be effective in each case.

Therapy of the disease depends on the degree of its severity. If a serious pathology is excluded, it is enough to use local preparations produced in the form of creams, ointments or gels, and also follow a diet.

In other cases, the doctor prescribes medications, as well as physiotherapy procedures, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the root cause of the pathology.

It is possible to use folk remedies, but only under the supervision of a specialist.

Itching management in old age is a particular problem. Physical and cognitive impairment can make use local treatment impossible, and concomitant diseases, especially those involving the liver and kidneys in this age group, gives a greater risk of adverse reactions.

Currently, there is no generally accepted therapy for itching of senile skin. Instead, the management of pruritus, especially in old age, requires as much individualization as possible, taking into account the patient's general health, the severity of the symptoms, and the adverse effects of the wellness procedure.

There are a number of general measures that can be helpful in managing pruritus in older adults, regardless of the underlying cause. Patient education is central to the management of pruritus.

Identifying and addressing aggravating factors are often the first steps towards successful treatment... Patients should be advised of the increased potential for skin inflammation after scratching, and simple measures such as clipping the nails can break the cycle of itching - scratching - itching.

The itching sensation is often exacerbated by heat, so if necessary, you can take measures such as a cool shower, wear light clothing, and use an air conditioner to keep your skin cool.

Wherever possible, simple home-based regimens are preferred in order to limit skin itching as much as possible and to avoid possible adverse reactions to the treatment of senile skin itching.

Local treatment of senile itching

Moisturizers, emollients and protective creams

With the appearance of such a severe ailment, treatment should be comprehensive. It is quite difficult to get rid of dermatitis herpetiformis (Duhring's disease), therefore, several methods are used at once.

“With a comprehensive solution to the problem, including diet and home treatment, you will rarely be bothered by rashes on the body,” says a dermatologist of the highest category E.

A. Malyshevsky.

With drug treatment, doctors prescribe a sulfone group of drugs:

Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial agent prescribed by a doctor. Has contraindications, so be sure to read the annotation
Diucifon is a powder used in the treatment of rashes on the body. Has contraindications
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid if sulfonic ones do not help. Has antiallergic, antitoxic effect. There are many contraindications
Erius is an antihistamine prescribed to relieve itching

Disease lesions must be constantly treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or brilliant green. Antihistamine ointments are available.

It is mandatory to take vitamin complexes, because the body after taking such medications loses many useful substances.

To treat dermatitis and prevent secondary infection, it is used non-hormonal agent Skin-cap (externally.), The active ingredient of which is zinc pyrithione.

Its efficiency is not lower than that of hormonal drugs... For Skin-Cap, the side effects noted for hormonal drugs are not typical.

It has anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial effects. In cases of weeping dermatitis, it is better to use an aerosol, in dry cases - a cream that provides additional moisture to the skin.

The skin cap can also be used for children after the first year of life. The drug is applied to the skin twice a day.

Types of dermatitis

There are two main types of dermatitis: contact or allergic and atopic or hereditary.

Atopic dermatitis refers to complex diseases, most often manifested in childhood or in newborn babies.

Common forms of dermatitis include coin-like and herpetiform dermatitis, eczema, and seborrhea.

The name coin-like dermatitis is associated with the external manifestations of inflammation, in the form of round spots appearing on the limbs and resembling coins.

With dermatitis herpetiformis, blisters appear symmetrically located most often on the knees, elbows, buttocks and shoulders. The cause of such dermatitis can be intestinal disorders and weakness of the immune system.

The most common form of dermatitis is eczema. This causes fluid-filled blisters with an unpleasant odor to appear on the skin. The contents of the bubbles ooze out slowly at first, then the bubbles burst.

When the scalp and face are affected, this is a form of dermatitis such as seborrhea.

Regardless of the type and form of dermatitis, adherence to a diet and fortification of food has a beneficial effect on improving the general condition. Correct catering, reception essential vitamins not only relieve the symptoms of dermatitis, but also help to improve the condition of the skin.

Dermatitis treatment with potatoes

The development of dermatitis may begin even after passing x-ray examination... In this case, freshly squeezed potato juice is considered an effective anti-inflammatory and therapeutic agent.

To get juice, you should wash the potatoes, peel them and grate them on a fine grater. Put the potato mass on cheesecloth, put the cheesecloth in several layers and attach it to the affected area.

The compress must be kept for two hours, after which it is replaced with a new one. At night it is necessary to apply propolis ointment to the skin.

Geranium oil

General activities play an important role:

Diet: exclusion of spicy foods, smoked meats, chocolate, citrus fruits, eggs, strong broths, cocoa, whole cow's milk;
The room where the patient is most often located is cleaned every day (wet cleaning), ventilated. Such things are unacceptable: carpets, aquariums, pet hair, flowering plants;
The clothes are comfortable, spacious, made of natural materials;
Stabilize rest, sleep, avoid stress;
Sanitize foci of chronic infection.

Dermatitis can occur in different types and forms, therefore there is no clearly defined treatment for this skin disease - the selection of specific medicines carried out by a doctor on an individual basis. Specialists adhere to the following appointment scheme:

The pathogenesis of the disease is affected in a complex way:

neutralize the negative impact of the identified pathogenic factor;
helping to relieve symptoms;
restoration and strengthening of the body's immune system.

Treatment of dermatitis occurs until the moment of complete regeneration of the skin (healing of damaged areas). Typically, this process takes at least 28 days.

Diet rules

A diagnosis such as senile itching, which is a fairly common problem, must be established by a specialist without fail. Moreover, the doctor must first exclude other possible prerequisites for the development of this pathological condition of the skin.

Often to identify internal cause itching requires dynamic monitoring of patients aged enough long time.

Treatment of senile itching is prescribed for each specific patient on an individual basis, which is associated with the presence of certain social and physical limitations in people of age.

When choosing a therapeutic course, a specialist necessarily takes into account the severity of symptoms and the general health of an elderly person.

In addition, the doctor considers such an alarming factor as the aggressiveness of the course of the disease, since it can signal the presence of liver pathology, diabetes mellitus or oncology in the patient's body.

A single therapeutic method by which it is customary to treat senile itching has not been developed. All therapeutic measures are associated with a large number of factors and, first of all, the choice is influenced by the etiological mechanism of the disease.

But still, by and large, doctors do not strive to eliminate the disease, which has become the root cause of the disease and is often irreversible, but to remove negative symptoms.

For this purpose, local therapy is used:

An emollient cream individually selected by the doctor reduces the effect of dry skin.
A calming effect on the affected skin areas is provided by drugs, the active component of which is menthol.
The antipruritic effect gives salicylic acid, which acts as a cyclooxygenase inhibitor.
Topical corticosteroids are used to provide anti-inflammatory action, but they should be used with great care and only as directed by a physician.
Systemic therapy drugs are also recommended by specialists, which are taken orally by patients and absorbed into the blood. For the treatment of itching in the elderly, antidepressants are prescribed to reduce the neurogenic influence factor, as well as antihistamines.

In case of ineffectiveness of local therapy, general medications are used. As a rule, their use is justified if a person suffers from chronic itching of the skin for a long period of time, and doctors cannot establish the cause of this disease.

In such cases, the selection of drugs is performed different categories, and the direction of the action. Based on the results of the reaction of the skin to each drug, a correction of therapy is performed to further improve the state of health.

Patients are prescribed drugs of the following category:

Antihistamines. They remove the feeling of itching if it is caused by an allergic reaction.
Antidepressants. Used to treat older people who have itchy body due to deteriorating mental health.
Antipsychotics. Effective against itching of the skin of neuropathic origin. Such patients begin to itch as soon as nervousness appears.

Senile itching is a complex problem of the state of health of a person who has reached old age. The reasons for its appearance can be very diverse, but the main one is still a change in the intensity of all vital processes occurring in the body of an aging person.

Treatment for pruritus in the elderly focuses on:

restoration of the protective properties of the skin;
decrease in the autoimmune process in the cells of the epidermis;
restoration of the structure and performance of hepatocytes.

For treatment, local creams and ointments, tablet preparations and folk remedies.

The first-line drugs used to treat bullous pemphigoid are glucocorticosteroids - prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and others. Treatment is long-term, therapy begins with high dosages of steroids, gradually lowering the dose over 6-9 months.

Considering that many patients with bullous pemphigoid are elderly people, it is not possible to carry out full therapy with glucocorticosteroids due to significant side effects.

Often in such a situation, treatment is performed by a combination of a reduced dose of steroids inside and local application of ointments based on them.

Get rid of itching, improve the quality of life

How to treat senile itching of the skin - there is no single rule here. But a doctor can develop a purely personal treatment package for his patient, taking into account all the nuances - age, lifestyle, the presence of chronic diseases.

The diseases that caused itching can already be practically incurable, therefore, the main attention is paid to precisely eliminating this symptom. External treatments include:

protective creams with a moisturizing effect and softening the skin (their use is designed to eliminate dry skin);
anti-inflammatory external agents (used only for inflammatory skin diseases and strictly according to the doctor's prescription);
drugs regulating immune system (prescribed by a doctor for diseases such as dermatitis, scabies, etc.);
compresses with menthol (effective for people whose urge to itch disappears or decreases after the skin becomes cool);
capsaicin (used for diseases of a neuralgic nature);
local anesthetics (prescribed for people with dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.);
salicylic acid (used for lichen, but only externally!).

In the systemic treatment of pruritus, a number of medications are used that are taken by mouth. Their selection depends on the identified chronic disease.

Psychotropic medications for depression, for example, can help people who have mental problems that cause itching all the time. Antihistamines are effective for hives.

Of course, the selection and prescription of drugs is exclusively a doctor.

Also, for diseases associated with itching, light treatment helps well, which allows you to avoid negative side effectspossible after taking medications.

Features of aquatherapy

For drug treatment itching of the body in old age, the use of:

antihistamines;
immunomodulators;
antidepressants;
antipsychotics.

For violations nervous system the patient is prescribed bromine preparations. They are injected into a vein or muscle. The effect is enhanced by the simultaneous administration of calcium chloride.

The use of antihistamines

Drugs in this group have an effect when chronic urticaria... A small effect is observed with attacks of senile itching at night.

Note! These medicines have a mild sedative effect and cause drowsiness. You need to take them only after consulting your doctor.

The use of immunomodulators

Medicines have a beneficial effect if the discomfort is seborrheic or chronic.

Antidepressant use

Medicines of this group are prescribed for the psychogenic form of senile itching.

Antidepressants cause side effects... You need to start taking these medicines with small doses.

The use of antipsychotics

The drugs of this group have a beneficial effect against the background of itching, provoked by postherpetic neuralgia.

This type of therapy is an alternative to physiotherapy.

The instruction looks like this:

Refuse soap and alkaline products. They have a degreasing effect and greatly dry the skin.
Take a shower, not a bath. The water temperature should be optimal - you cannot stand under cold and hot water.
We recommend using baby soap to wash your underarms, genitals and feet. It has a hypoallergenic, antibacterial effect.
Before water treatments, you need to lubricate the skin with peach or olive oil.
After taking a shower, you need to gently blot your skin with a cotton towel. Then a moisturizing milk or cream with a hypoallergenic effect is applied.
In case of severe itching, it is recommended to douche with water and sea salt. This has a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system. To prepare the solution, you need to mix 20 grams of the product with 5000 ml of water. It is impossible to replace sea salt with aromatized bath products, since the ingredients in their composition can provoke allergies.
Senile itching, provoked by stress, is treated with a contrast shower. The duration of 1 session is 2-5 minutes. This procedure is contraindicated for elderly people with heart disease.

Note! Rubbing with cosmetic ice with calendula, sage and succession helps to eliminate the unpleasant symptom. A preliminary consultation with a doctor is strictly required, since the procedure can provoke an exacerbation of somatic pathologies.

Application of local remedies

Itching of the skin, simple

Elecampane high (root). It is used in this case as an external agent (lotion, rubbing) in the form of a tincture (25.0) on alcohol or vodka, or instead - a homemade extract, that is, a decoction of 20.0-200.0, condensed "in the spirit" up to half.
Stinging nettle (herb). Broth her 15.0-200.0 for 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day, or homemade extract, that is, the same broth, condensed to half, 1 tsp. If at the same time urination decreases or there is constipation, then combine the nettle with dandelion leaves and thorn flowers (equally), this mixture is 2 tbsp. l. brew in a glass of boiling water, steam in the oven for 2-3 hours, drink 1/2 cup 3 times a day. Pharmacy liquid extract from it - 25-30 drops each.
Birch (buds). Tincture (10%) 20 drops 3 times.

Itching of the body is nervous

Rub itchy areas with a coarse woolen cloth or corn cob (no kernels).

Itching in the anus

Water pepper, peppermint (herb). As a hemostatic and analgesic agent, it is recognized as useful for bloody hemorrhoids not only in folk, but also in scientific medicine. You can use a decoction from it 12.0-200.0, 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day, as well as tincture (25.0) or pharmacy liquid extract (25.0) 30-40 drops 3 times a day 1/2 hour before meals. It is often combined with an extract of viburnum and shepherd's purse. For external use there are pharmacy candles from it called "Anestezol". Instead of candles, people use sedentary baths from a decoction of this herb (50 g per 1 liter of boiling water, then dilute in a bath) for 15 minutes, every day until the itching in the anus stops. The second, more complex, sit-down bath method: 400 g of fresh grass per 2 liters of water, cook for 15 minutes, leave for 20 minutes, add 2 cups of hot milk, in which about 400 g of rolls were cooked in small pieces. This hot bath should wash the buds. The term of daily use is about a month. After the bath, wash off with warm water.

Itching all over the body

Boil one kilogram of barley grains in a large amount of water and bathe the patient in this water.
In this case, you need to enlarge the pores with the help of bathing and various rubbing.
Aloe and myrrh juice, especially when mixed with honey, has a beneficial effect. Drink like tea with honey.
Aloe juice with lentil flour and a little vinegar is also a good remedy. Celery juice is also often used. Take 1/4 cup after meals.
Take 50-100 g of wheatgrass rhizomes in a bucket of water and cook in a sealed container. When the water cools down to 38 ° C, take a bath for 20 minutes. Take baths daily.
Fill the bath with water, then dilute 50 ml of pine extract and 0.5 kg of potato starch in it, or instead of it - 1 liter of thick broth oatmeal... Take a bath at a water temperature of 35–37 ° C for 10 minutes.

The most effective local remedies to help get rid of senile itching are presented in the tablet.

Note! Local remedies are used only for symptomatic therapy. They usually do not affect the cause of senile itching.

The most effective folk remedies for relieving symptoms are presented in the tablet.

Table 8. The best folk remedies.

Complications

Provided timely treatment of the disease, the prognosis is favorable. Medicines quickly relieve itching and other discomfort.

In this case, it is important to complete the full course of therapy, as well as take care of prevention. Complications of this disease are rare.

It can be:

Infectious lesions that appear as a result of constant scratching of the affected areas.
Neurotic disorders - many patients are worried about insomnia, apathy and irritability. After treatment, they disappear.

Scratching is a bad habit!

How to get rid of senile itching? Taking into account the state of health of the elderly and its particular vulnerability, the selection of methods and means of treatment is carried out purely individually - taking into account the side effects and severity possible consequences.

Oddly enough, you can start with a psychological trick - try to wean you from the habit of itching. Sometimes for this it is enough just to cut the nails short for a person who is tormented by itching.

The mechanically performed scratching procedure will no longer be as tangible and rather pleasant for him as before, and, perhaps, the person will gradually forget about it.

In addition, it can be said that scratching when scratching is very easy to get inflammation on the skin. And then the elderly will become more in control of their involuntary gestures.

Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, choosing clothes made from light natural fabrics, and regularly changing bed linen will help reduce the feeling of itching. And also for this it is better not to overheat the skin, cool air is more useful for it.

Talk to your doctor about the appropriateness of a special diet. After all, if itching is caused by kidney problems, then you need to eat foods that are low in protein.

And if this is an allergic reaction to some foods, then they should be abandoned altogether. Foods that are well absorbed and will not cause itchy allergies include: pasta, buckwheat, oatmeal, rice, dairy products, and vegetable oil, lean meat, liver and kidneys, fish, vegetables, fruits and dried fruits.

Disease prevention

In order to prevent the appearance of itchy skin, it is necessary to adjust the lifestyle and follow simple rules:

moisturize the skin with oils and creams, do not allow it to dry out;
replace bed linen with natural, preferably cotton;
cover exposed areas in the sun;
revise your diet by including healthy foods in the menu;
annually examined by a doctor;
quit smoking and alcohol.

Itchy skin in older people is an unpleasant phenomenon that interferes with a full life. Therefore, at the first sign of its appearance, you should consult a doctor. He will help determine the cause of the problems and fix them.

Treatment is assigned to the patient based on the results of the examination. Self-therapy in this situation can only aggravate the situation. Treatment of anogenital itching involves the elimination of the provoking factor.

Dermatitis Duhring is classified as a chronic disease. Relapses can occur throughout the patient's life.

To avoid relapses, complications, follow the recommendations of a dermatologist. Preventive measures include:

Diet tracking. It is necessary to exclude iodine-containing products from it (seafood, walnut, medicines containing iodine), cereals (rye, oats, wheat, barley).
To be on dispensary observation, to undergo regular examinations.

Mode and nutrition

To reduce the intensity of itching, it is of particular importance to follow the recommendations regarding the regimen and nutrition.

When the human body is struck by dermatitis herpetiformis, it is imperative to think about a diet that will help get rid of the disease faster. It is strictly forbidden to eat: Beans, cereals, flour, kvass, beer, sweets, products containing honey, cabbage.

The rest is all possible, so it is not difficult to eat right with such a disease. Be sure to include lean meat, broths, vegetables, and dairy products in your diet.

From drinks only natural black coffee, mineral water without iodine. Eat plenty of greens, olives, and olives.

So, what can not be eaten with Duhring's dermatitis? A feature of therapy is considered a mandatory diet, in which it is prohibited:

cereals and legumes,
food with flour and malt,
kvass, beer and coffee substitutes,
chocolates and ice cream,
flour products and breaded products,
sausages,
iodine-containing products.

Note! Cabbage for Duhring's dermatitis is also prohibited.

Nutrition affects the skin condition of an elderly person.

The patient's diet should contain foods saturated with the vitamins and minerals he needs:

iodine;
omega-3 fatty acid;
omega-6.

Iodine-rich foods

This mineral is an essential component of the thyroid gland and is part of its hormones. The daily requirement for iodine is 100-150 mcg.

It is also allowed to fill food with iodized salt. It can be used no more than 3 times in 7 days.

Omega-3 rich foods

This polyunsaturated fatty acid normalizes the work of the heart and vascular systems, improves the general condition. Daily rate - 1 - 2.5 g.

Table 6. Foods rich in omega-3.

Omega-6 rich foods

This polyunsaturated fatty acid helps to create an optimal balance of prostaglandins in the body.

They are helping:

improve the condition of the skin;
take off inflammatory process;
stop pain syndrome.

The daily requirement for omega-6 is 4.5-8 g.

Senile itching is the body's response to age-related changes in people over 65 years of age.

Aging of the body slows down metabolic processes, cell renewal, disrupts the sebaceous and sweat glands, destabilizes water and lipid metabolism. As a result, the skin gets less nourishment. It dehydrates, becomes drier, loses elasticity, becomes thinner. It does not have enough resources to perform its main function - to be a protective barrier against the penetration of viral and bacterial infections. She cannot regulate body temperature, participate in oxygen metabolism. As a result, there are processes that become the causes of itching in the elderly.

He is not the only symptom. A person experiencing physiological changes may complain of tingling and burning sensation. It is important to be able to distinguish senile itching from irritation associated with the development of chronic diseases of internal organs, neurotic disorders, allergic reactions, fungal and bacterial infections. In many cases, the listed factors provocateurs are superimposed on each other, therefore, to identify the causes of ailment, it is necessary to carry out differential diagnostics.

Physiological features of itching

Its intensity is constantly changing, in one person it can only designate itself, and then it intensifies and becomes painful.
With itching, there are no purulent inflammations.
By the evening, the intensity of the manifestation of the symptom always increases.
It can bother a person for months, then disappear without a trace and return with the same strength.
Scratches do not leave typical marks on the skin.

The patient constantly tries to comb the affected area, which makes the nails look polished.

What diseases are itchy skin in the elderly

There is a whole group of diseases in which itching is one of the symptoms. The presence of other characteristic manifestations may indicate the development of a particular pathology.

Visual table of the causes of itching

In order to distinguish senile itching from contact dermatitis, psoriasis, scabies and urticaria, an analysis is required for latent allergens, scraping from the affected areas. To assess the functioning of internal organs, a biochemical blood test is performed. Itching in people of advanced age can cause helminthic invasions, so a study of feces for helminth eggs may be prescribed.

The resulting material allows you to confirm or exclude a fungal or viral infection. The causes and treatment are closely related to each other.

Features of therapy

Identification of the provocateur factor helps to select effective therapeutic regimens. There is no single standard, all appointments are made by the doctor on an individual basis, taking into account the existing factors, the severity of itching, the general health of the patient, the likelihood of side effects. However, treatment covers two areas: local and systemic.

The purpose of local treatment is to soften and moisturize the skin and restore its defenses. For this, non-pharmacological agents, cosmetic creams and ointments are used. Menthol medications and local anesthetics help relieve itching.

Systemic treatment involves the appointment of first generation antihistamines (Diazolin, Tavegil), sedatives and antidepressants.

The 1st group of drugs blocks the production of histamine - the main provocateur of itching;

The 2nd group helps to fight against the intensification of the symptom at night (valerian, motherwort);

The 3rd group is used to treat patients in whom senile itching is a consequence of psychogenic disorders.

If such a scheme does not help, hormonal agents are connected. They quickly stop the unpleasant symptom.

Traditional medicine recipes

Alternative treatment enhances the effect of drug therapy and relieves drug burden, which is very important for the elderly.

To enrich the skin with vitamin E, it is necessary to eat 100 grams of pumpkin seeds daily or drink two tablespoons a day a decoction of nettle, licorice or burdock roots.

Apple cider vinegar is best used as a topical immunomodulator. Use it to lubricate itchy areas.

Acidic water, prepared from three tablespoons of vinegar and a glass of water, relieves itching well. An effective infusion for wiping itchy areas can be prepared from fir oil and 2% novocaine.

Lemon balm tea can replace the medicinal sedative. If there are no contraindications, it should be drunk twice a day.

Physiotherapy for senile itching

Physiotherapy is an important part of treating itching in older people. In her arsenal there are procedures that can have an anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating effect.

Most often, UFO (ultraviolet therapy) is prescribed. It restores the protective properties of the epidermis, stimulates natural metabolic processes. The course is selected individually.

Each old man should take more care of his skin. To prevent itching, it is important to try to avoid exposures that can provoke dry skin. To do this, you do not need to often take hot baths, use soap with a high pH content (it is better to completely refuse to use it while bathing). Don't rub your skin with rubbing alcohol or cologne. After showering, it is helpful to lubricate the body with emollient or moisturizing cosmetic creams.

Foods high in vitamin E should be added to the diet. Do not consume caffeine, spicy and salty foods, heavy meat broths, fried foods. Fruits and vegetables that can provoke the development of an allergic reaction should be eliminated altogether. Give up chocolate various products, which contain chemical additives and flavor enhancers.

Often, older people suffer from itching of the body. This condition is often referred to as senile itching of the skin.

Irritation appears suddenly and brings significant discomfort to the person. Itching may not always indicate problems with the skin; often this is due to systemic changes in the body of the elderly.

Do not leave everything as it is, as constantly scratching the body will lead to nervous breakdowns.

To avoid this, you need to undergo a course of therapy.

Why does it appear in older people?

Aging is the primary cause of dry dermis and itching. This is due to a reduced production of elastin from the epidermis. All this affects the condition of the skin. It becomes dry, flaky, its elasticity is lost.

Itching can also serve as a protective reaction of the human body to external irritants.

Natural causes of itchy skin include:

Reducing the amount of water in the human system.
Decreased elasticity of the dermis.
The use of underwear and bedding made using synthetics.
The inability, due to old age, to properly carry out hygiene procedures with your body.
Use of aggressive soap products.
Often itching occurs due to the reaction of the skin of the elderly to hard water.

These reasons are easily eliminated, it is only necessary to remove the provoking factor.

But there are also diseases that can cause itching and dry areas on the skin:

Hormonal changes due to age, in women - due to the onset of menopause, in men - due to a decrease in the hormone testosterone.
The presence of a diabetic disease.
Disruptions in the work of digestion.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as atherosclerosis.
Errors in the activity of the sebaceous and sweat glands.

In the video, the doctor talks about the causes of itching in the elderly:

Reasons for the appearance in women in the intimate area

This condition often develops in older women after the onset of menopause. It's called vaginal dryness. For this reason, not only the vaginal tract is affected, but also the vulva.

reference! With the onset of menopause, the production of the hormone estrogen decreases. As a result, the woman has not only itching in the genital area, but also a burning sensation.

Other factors in the appearance of itching in intimate places not only in older women, but also in men include:

Wearing underwear that is uncomfortable, tight or synthetic.
Various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Violation of the microflora of the vagina in women.
Fungal infections.
Lack of personal hygiene.
Mental health problems.

Drug treatment

Medication therapy will depend on the etiology of the person's condition and the underlying cause.

The treatment regimen is developed by a doctor taking into account many indicators., this is the age data of the patient, and the presence of chronic foci of inflammation, and, of course, the reasons that caused itching of the skin.

Drug exposure can be local or systemic.

With local therapy, drugs for external application are used:

Softeners and moisturizers in the form of creams, gels, milk, etc. They are able to eliminate dry skin.
External corticosteroids are used as anti-inflammatory drugs. These include Celestoderm, Advantin, etc. They should be used very carefully and only as prescribed by the doctor.
Local immunomodulators - Tacrolimus and Pimecrolimus.
Medicines with menthol. They have a calming effect.
The drug Capsaicin eliminates focal skin lesions.
Anesthetics, salicylic acid disinfect and relieve itching.

Systemic medicines intended for oral administration:

Antihistamines are designed to reduce sensitization in the body.
Antidepressants reduce the presence of a neurogenic factor.
Gabapentin and Pregablin belong to a number of antipsychotics.

How to treat itchy skin in the elderly is described in the video:

Folk remedies

Often, even doctors themselves prescribe herbal ingredients for senile itching. It is advisable to cook for itching decoctions of nettle, licorice root and burdock.

reference! If you eat a handful of pumpkin seeds every day, then over time, the itching will stop.

In addition, there are recipes for alternative therapy that have been proven over the years that will help get rid of itching on the body in older people.

Aloe ointment

Aloe juice is mixed with petroleum jelly in a ratio of 1 to 2. This ointment must be applied two to three times a day until the itching disappears completely. The ointment is stored in the refrigerator.

The use of vegetable oil

If you haven't found a single antipruritic agent, you can use some vegetable oil.

Oils can be applied from corn, soy, sunflower and flax, but the most common is still olive oil... With this composition, the body is lubricated twice a day.

Herbal baths

For medicinal baths such plants:

Celandine.
Oak bark.
The sequence.
Chamomile.
Birch buds.

reference! They can be used in mixtures or each separately.

For 100 g of grass, a couple of liters of hot boiled water are taken, after infusion, the liquid is filtered and poured into the bath. It is advisable to take these treatments every day.

ABOUT folk methods treatment of itchy skin is described in the video:

Diet

The old person's food should be complete, contain all the necessary nutrients.

It is necessary to significantly reduce the use of these products in the diet to eliminate the appearance of itching:

Coffee and caffeinated foods.
Hot spices, herbs and marinades.
Fatty meat broths and fried foods.
Fruits and vegetables that can trigger the development of allergies. For example, oranges, lemons and tomatoes.
Chocolate products.
Bread and fresh white flour biscuits.
Products with flavors and synthetic additives - potato chips, crackers, carbonated water, etc.

Meals should be fractional, in small portions up to 6-7 times a day. So the stomach will not be overloaded.

If the body does not receive such an important element as iodine in sufficient quantities, the work of hormones and the thyroid gland will be disrupted, and this can lead to itching.

Seaweed.
By-products (hake, cod liver).
Seafood and fish.

Important! You should not eat them more than three times a week, as an excess of iodine is just as dangerous as a lack of it.

Also, for the body of pensioners, Omega 3 and 6 acids are important, which have a positive effect on all internal organs.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is sometimes prescribed for retirees if they have itching underneath. It is known that this method of treatment relieves inflammation, stimulates the body's defenses and has a firming effect.

Itching is often associated with inflammation of the epidermis. In this case, the ultraviolet therapy (UFO).

It acts as follows on the skin:

Activates the protective abilities of the human body.
Promotes the start of metabolism.

reference! This technique is used in extreme cases, when other methods of eliminating itching have been unsuccessful, since side effects from UV radiation are often developed in the form of the appearance of age spots on the body.

Prevention

In order not to be bothered by itching in old age, it is necessary preventive measures:

Use cotton or other natural fabrics for bedding.
Use a variety of oils and creams to moisturize and nourish your skin. Do not use aggressive products that will dry your skin, as well as soap and running water.
Cover exposed areas of your body in direct sunlight.
Monitor your diet, enrich your diet with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are found in nuts, fish, vegetable oils, seafood, pumpkin and flax seeds.

If you start preventive actions on time, then the problem of itching will bypass.

There is no need to neglect your health in old age.

It must be remembered that right now the body is more susceptible to various ailments than ever.

Itching of the skin in old age (over 60 years) is a fairly common complaint. It occurs unexpectedly, causing serious discomfort. There is nothing dangerous in the very problem of senile itching, but you should still consult a doctor to determine the cause of the symptom that has appeared and prescribe treatment.

What is senile itching of the skin

The skin of an elderly person is prone to excessive dryness, which affects the development of severe itching, which can bother during the day and intensify in the evening. An important role in the formation of this process is played by a person's lifestyle, his habits and concomitant pathologies. More often, the ailment manifests itself in men, but it does not bypass women either.

Senile itching is a rather painful condition, the cause of which is a whole complex of changes in the body.

The whole body is constantly itching and as a result, the patient scratches the wounds on the skin, which are the entrance gate for infection and contribute to infection with pathogenic microorganisms. That is why it is worth paying attention to the problem at the first signs of its occurrence.

Why do people itch - video with Elena Malysheva

Causes and factors of development

The main reason for the development of itching is the advanced age of a person. The epidermis no longer produces enough elastin, which affects the condition of the skin. They become dry, lose turgor and smoothness, and strong peeling appears. In addition, itching can be a protective reaction of the body to external stimuli.

Natural causes of itching:

a decrease in the amount of fluid in the body;
loss of skin elasticity;
use of bed and underwear made of artificial materials;
lack of thorough hygiene due to weakness;
the use of aggressive soap;
the reaction of the skin of an elderly person to hard water.

If these reasons have affected the development of itching, they should be eliminated, and the disease, most likely, will not bother you anymore. But there are pathological conditions that can cause this symptom:

hormonal diseases or restructuring of the body (in women - menopause, in men - a decrease in testosterone);
diabetes;
gastrointestinal diseases;
diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including atherosclerosis;
insufficient work of the sebaceous and sweat glands.

There are other conditions that can trigger itching. That is why it is necessary to be examined by a specialist who will exclude or confirm the pathology and prescribe symptomatic treatment.

Itchy skin in diabetes mellitus - video

The clinical picture in the elderly

The disease in each person has a different severity. Some are sometimes scratched, others have a deteriorating quality of life. You should pay attention if the following signs appear:

constant itching, worsening in the evening;
soreness of the skin in several places;
burning sensation;
the formation of red spots;
dry skin, its increased peeling;
increased irritability
decreased appetite;
insomnia.

If the disease bothers and interferes with the conduct full life, do not postpone a visit to a dermatologist. He will prescribe a diet and treatment that will help improve the situation. As a rule, with the use of special ointments and light lifestyle correction, the ailment disappears without a trace.

Diagnostics

First of all, the doctor interviews the patient. This is necessary to collect the patient's anamnesis and make an accurate diagnosis. The dermatologist should know when the itching appeared (the period of its greatest severity), what kind of life an elderly person leads.

After the interview, the patient's skin is examined. During this stage, the specialist will be able to identify the disease. In addition, the doctor will advise you to take:

Scraping to exclude fungal infections or the addition of a bacterial infection.
Analysis for hidden allergens.

Differential diagnosis helps not to confuse senile itching with serious skin diseases, similar in symptoms:

contact dermatitis;
atopic dermatitis;
psoriasis;
scabies;
hives.

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the disease, appropriate treatment is selected. If the cause of the itching is not a serious pathology, the use of local drugs in the form of ointments, creams or gels, as well as adherence to a certain diet. If the situation raises concerns, medications and physiotherapy procedures are prescribed to treat the underlying disease that causes itching.

In addition, with the permission and under the supervision of a dermatologist, it is allowed to use traditional medicine recipes that help no worse than drugs. Self-medication is not recommended.

Medicines: tablets, ointments and other drugs

Medicines are necessary to restore the skin, moisturize it and protect it from external irritants. Symptomatic remedies are also prescribed. Therapeutic measures are selected strictly on an individual basis.

Approximate treatment regimen:

Additionally, tablet forms of hormonal drugs can be prescribed, which will help relieve symptoms, and are corrected with an illness in a few days.

Food

The diet should include a complex of essential vitamins and minerals, because the condition of his skin directly depends on the nutrition of an elderly person.

Forbidden to use:

caffeine;
spicy, spicy, pickled dishes;
heavy meat broths and fried foods;
fruits and vegetables with an allergic factor (citrus fruits and all red, orange fruits);
chocolate;
wheat flour products (fresh baked goods);
products with various artificial flavors and additives (soda, chips, crackers).

The daily diet should consist of 6-7 small portions, which will not overload the stomach and cause a feeling of heaviness after eating.

It is worth noting that iodine deficiency leads to disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland and other hormone-producing organs, which inevitably affects the condition of the skin. In this case, it is recommended to season the food with special iodized salt, which compensates for the lack of the element.

Iodine-rich foods:

seaweed;
fish and offal (hake, cod liver);
seafood.

They need to be consumed no more than three times a week, since an excess of iodine is no less dangerous than its lack.

Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for the proper functioning of all organs and systems. They affect the condition of the skin of the elderly, nourish it from the inside, and protect it from the effects of adverse external factors... A lack of fatty acids provokes senile itching and other unpleasant symptoms.

Foods rich in healthy fats:

vegetable unrefined oil;
walnuts;
sunflower, flax, pumpkin seeds;
sea \u200b\u200bfish;
seafood.

Daily consumption of 10 ml of vegetable oil on an empty stomach has a beneficial effect on the health of the gastrointestinal tract, circulatory systemas well as the skin.

How to get rid of itching with physical therapy

Physiotherapy is known for its anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating and restorative effects.

Ultraviolet therapy is often used after repeated unsuccessful attempts to treat itching with other means.

When treating skin diseases the most common is ultraviolet therapy (UFO). It has a beneficial effect on the epidermis:

restores protective properties;
starts natural metabolic processes.

In older people, sometimes there is a side effect in the form of the formation of age spots, so the procedure should be approached with caution.

How to treat with folk remedies

There are several common recipes that reduce itching and provide visible relief at night:

Aloe based ointment. For production, you need to take the squeezed juice of freshly picked stems of aloe (without peel), mix with medical petroleum jelly in a 1: 2 ratio and process the skin several times a day until the condition improves. Store the composition in the refrigerator.
Vegetable oil. If there are no medicines on hand, you can use any vegetable oil (for example, sunflower, olive, corn, soybean, flaxseed) to relieve the condition. They need to lubricate their bodies twice a day.
Mixtures of herbs. Baths with herbs can eliminate the unpleasant symptom. You can use celandine, oak bark, chamomile, birch buds together or separately. To make the infusion, you need to take 100 grams of a mixture of herbs, pour two liters of boiling water and leave in a warm place for 2 hours. Next, strain and add the infusion to the bath. Such bathing is recommended to be carried out daily.

In addition, for a restful sleep, you need to brew a soothing tea based on mint leaves. During severe insomnia, with the permission of a doctor, Corvalol (30 drops) diluted with water (100 ml) is allowed.

If folk remedies do not give positive results within a week, you should seek help from a specialist.

Complications

If you get an appointment with a doctor in a timely manner, the prognosis is usually favorable. Ointments and tablets quickly eliminate itching without leaving a trace of it.

It is necessary to undergo a full course of treatment, as well as regularly carry out preventive measures so that relapses do not make themselves felt in the future.

With adequate therapy, complications are extremely rare. Among them, the following are most often distinguished:

Infectious skin lesions, manifested as a result of severe scratching of itchy areas.
Neurotic disorders (indirect complications). A person is worried about insomnia, irritability and apathy appear. After treatment of itching, this condition goes away on its own.

Prevention

Preventive measures must be approached rationally. It is necessary to normalize the lifestyle and make some adjustments to it. This will help avoid senile itching in old age and prevent relapses after an illness.

Preventive measures:

Change bedding and underwear made of artificial fabrics for cotton counterparts.
Regularly moisturize and nourish the skin with oils or creams, avoid overdrying it with aggressive running water or soap (do not cleanse the skin "until it squeaks").
Cover bare skin while walking under the scorching sun.
Improve nutrition, include foods containing polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet.
Do not comb or rub the itchy areas of the body.
Timely cut nails to prevent skin infections.
Annually undergo medical examination by all specialized doctors (endocrinologist, cardiologist, therapist, dermatologist).
Do not drink alcohol or smoke.

Testimonials

As a rule, subject to all preventive measures and a balanced diet, many senile itching disappears without a trace. It is necessary to pay more attention to health, because it is the main human wealth.

Hello! My name is Alena. I am 35 years old. He is a physician by education.

med-look.ru

Every person has more and more health problems with age. This is not surprising, because irreversible changes occur in the body associated with the natural aging process. One of the symptoms that causes a lot of trouble for the elderly is senile itching of the skin.

What it is?

Senile itching is a phenomenon that occurs in almost half of people over 60–70 years old. The skin can itch for various reasons: itching can be a symptom of an internal disease or occur in old age due to changes in the structure of the skin. Unpleasant sensations can be constant or intermittent, and intensify at night and after taking a bath or shower.

Itchy skin may get worse in the evening or after taking a bath

When a nuisance significantly reduces the quality of life, the patient goes to see a dermatologist. Having not found rashes on the skin, the doctor necessarily recommends being examined by various specialists for internal diseases.

The skin is a part of the excretory system: metabolic products are released through the skin, sebaceous, sweat ducts. If a person has an unhealthy pancreas, kidneys or liver, then toxic metabolic products, accumulating in the skin, cause an unpleasant itching sensation. Only after a complete examination of the patient and the exclusion of internal pathologies (diseases of the digestive organs, diabetes mellitus, oncology), the doctor can conclude that in this case we are talking about senile itching, which is caused by age-related changes in the skin.

Senile itching of the skin in the elderly: causes and provoking factors

The skin of elderly people undergoes certain changes: the epidermis and underlying layers (dermis, subcutaneous tissue) become significantly thinner, the skin becomes very dry and sensitive. The cells of the epidermis of older people are not able to effectively retain moisture, which is so necessary to maintain skin elasticity. The processes of restoration and normal functioning of the skin are disrupted.

With age, the skin becomes dry, unable to retain moisture and fully exercise the barrier function

In addition to xerosis (dry skin), unpleasant itching can be associated with a violation of the innervation of the skin due to senile changes nerve fibers.

In addition to these reasons, experts call the following:

changes in hormonal levels (decrease in the production of sex and other hormones);
atherosclerosis of small vessels;
disorders of water-salt metabolism;
age-related atrophy of the skin glands, the absence of a thin lipid layer on the surface of the epidermis.

Itching in the elderly can be provoked by cold, heat, rubbing of clothes or bed linen, detergents, hard water.

Videos - reasons

Manifestations

An unpleasant symptom can be localized or generalized. In the first case, the skin itches in places of friction - on the shoulders, back, waist, groin. In the generalized form, itching occurs throughout the body. It can manifest itself with varying intensity - from mild discomfort to excruciating sensations up to soreness.

Senile itching usually gets worse in the evening and can be annoying at night. In cold weather, when the heating is turned on in the room, the skin becomes even drier and you want to itch even more. An unpleasant sensation can occur periodically after water hygiene procedures.

With senile itching, the skin remains clean, small lamellar peeling may occur, scratching is usually absent, which is associated with low turgor (firmness, elasticity) of the skin of the elderly.

Itching of the elderly may be in certain areas or throughout the body.

Chronic itching can significantly reduce the quality of life of an elderly person, causing accompanying symptoms: sleep disturbance, irritability, and decreased appetite.

Diagnostics

A dermatologist is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Diagnostic measures begin with a survey of the patient: when the itching appeared for the first time, what is the reason for its exacerbation, accompanying symptoms. An examination of the skin is carried out.

To determine the exact cause of itching, laboratory tests are prescribed:

clinical blood and urine tests: in the blood test, attention is paid to ESR (whether there is an inflammatory process in the body), eosinophils (an increased amount indicates allergy), hemoglobin level (whether there is anemia);
biochemical blood test to assess the functioning of internal organs;
examination of feces for eggs of worms (helminthic invasions can cause itching) and occult blood (whether there is internal bleeding).

The patient may also have an organ x-ray. chest in order to identify pathological processes, examination of the thyroid gland with an assessment of its functionality.

If the patient does not have any somatic diseases that can provoke the appearance of itchy skin, then the dermatologist diagnoses senile itching of the skin.

First of all, the dermatologist examines the skin and interviews the patient

In some cases, it is necessary to consult a psychiatrist, since the symptom may be associated with mental disorders of the patient.

Senile itching is differentiated from itching of the skin in dermatological and allergic diseases:

atopic or contact dermatitis;
eczema;
hay fever, urticaria;
scabies.

What means can you get rid of trouble

The principles of treating senile itch are proper skin care and diet.

Human skin care

Since the main cause of senile itching is excessive dryness of the skin, it is necessary to deal with it. An elderly person should have at hand the correct body skin care products - creams and milk.

Sometimes dermatologists recommend using baby cosmetics, however, before buying such products, you need to carefully study their composition, since very often baby creams and lotions contain mineral oils that can clog pores.

Of pharmacy products for itchy skin care, bath oil or cream Balneum of German production, body milk Dardia (Italy), anti-xerotic shower gel and body cream Losterin, La Cree cream from natural ingredients against itching, dryness and irritation are suitable.

Losterin cream effectively relieves itching and dry skin

Water procedures often bring older people not relief, but real trials, provoking increased itching and skin irritation. To avoid this, doctors recommend abandoning soap and alkaline detergents, which degrease and dry out the skin even more. It is recommended to take a shower, not a bath, and the water should be warm, not hot. Only the armpits, feet and genitals should be washed with a mild detergent without a sponge. Before showering, you can lubricate your skin with cold-pressed peach or olive oil. After washing, damp skin should not be wiped off, but blotted with a cotton towel and immediately apply body milk or a hypoallergenic moisturizer.

An escape from itching and a good tonic can be cold and hot shower and rubbing the skin with cosmetic ice with an infusion of string, sage or calendula. However, such procedures can negatively affect general condition an elderly person and cause an exacerbation of somatic diseases, therefore, before using the method, you need to consult a therapist.

With senile itching, dousing with water and sea salt gives a good effect. The solution should be weak - 1 tablespoon per 5 liters of water. Commercially available perfumed bath salts cannot be used for this purpose, as additional components (dyes and fragrances) can cause an allergic reaction. It is advisable to purchase sea salt at a pharmacy. It is possible to carry out douches constantly, such procedures have a good effect not only on the condition of the skin, but also have a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Effectively relieve itching and tone the skin by pouring with a weak solution of sea salt

The elderly person is advised to avoid clothing made of woolen and synthetic fabrics, it is best to wear cotton clothing. The skin should not be overheated, baths and saunas should be prohibited, as well as warming physiotherapy.

The use of medicines

Topical corticosteroids have been found to be the most effective external remedy for itchy skin. However, with senile itching, their use is far from always justified. External hormonal agents are prescribed for severe itching, which is combined with inflammatory skin diseases. The course of use should be as limited as possible, since the elderly have a high risk of complications (skin atrophy). Prescribe the weakest drugs - 1% Hydrocortisone ointment, less often - stronger drugs - Akriderm, Sinaflan, Ftorocort. To relieve itching, use cooling compresses, creams and ointments with menthol (Boromenthol ointment), camphor oil.

From systemic drugs for itching, antihistamines of the first generation with a sedative effect are prescribed:

Pipolfen;
Diazolin;
Tavegil;
Suprastin.

Of sedatives recommend Glycine, tincture of valerian and motherwort, in some cases mild antidepressants are shown - Mirtazapine (Calixta), Paroxetine (Reksetin, Paxil), anticonvulsants - Gabapentin (Neurontin). Twice a year, with senile itching, it is useful to take courses of Aevit, Retinol, Omega-3.

Photo gallery - drugs for the treatment of senile itching

Diet

In the patient's diet, it is necessary to limit spicy, seasoned dishes, salty, smoked products, marinades, coffee, strong tea, sweets, chocolate, citrus fruits, alcoholic drinks... Each patient should pay attention to what foods the itching increases after, and exclude such foods from the diet.

Fresh vegetables, cereals, foods rich in iodine (seaweed, fish), polyunsaturated fatty acids (nuts, unrefined vegetable oil, seafood) are useful.

Physiotherapy

From physiotherapeutic procedures for the treatment of senile itching, treatment with ultraviolet rays (UFO) is used. The course is selected by the doctor individually. Ultraviolet treatment stimulates metabolic processes, enhances the protective properties of the skin, and normalizes the immune system.

Ultraviolet irradiation is one of the main physiotherapeutic treatments for senile pruritus.

Folk recipes

Traditional medicine recommends many remedies to combat itching. When washing in the bath, you can add a small amount of fresh milk to the water - 1-2 glasses. After a shower, you can also rinse with water with added milk or non-acidic whey. After such a dousing, you do not need to wipe the skin, you just have to blot the moisture with a towel.

Instead of milk, you can use herbs - infusions of mint, string, oregano, elecampane, bay leaf decoction. Preparation of herbal infusion: pour 2 large tablespoons of herbs with a liter of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, add to the bath.

diluted 1: 1 apple cider vinegar to use as an antipruritic lotion for the skin;
propolis in oil (1 teaspoon of raw materials per 100 ml of olive oil, keep in a water bath for half an hour) is used to lubricate problem areas;
ointment with birch tar: 3 tablespoons of tar, 2 tablespoons of vaseline oil, mix 100 ml of Sophora tincture, let it stand in a dark place for a week, use to lubricate the skin;
lotions from mumiyo solution: 2 gr. Dissolve raw materials in 100 ml of water, apply the product on itchy areas.

Inside, it is recommended to take an antipruritic infusion of licorice, valerian, elecampane, violet and white tea. Herbs are taken in equal proportions, mixed, a large spoonful of the mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted and drunk 1 large spoon three times a day before meals.

Senile itching is successfully treated with herbs: infusions for baths and for oral administration are made from them.

Herbal teas from mint, lemon balm, which have a calming effect, will be beneficial.

Treatment prognosis and possible complications

In general, the prognosis of treatment, provided that all medical recommendations are followed, is favorable. With proper skin care, the symptoms of itchy xerosis are relieved and the patient experiences significant relief.

Of the complications of senile itching, the most likely are:

scratching infection;
manifestations from the nervous system:
- irritability;
- insomnia;
- decreased appetite;
- violation of general well-being.

Preventive actions

Prevention of senile itching consists in proper skin care and diet. Preventive measures include:

moisturizing the skin with special cosmetics;
rejection of aggressive detergents, synthetic fabrics;
avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun in open clothing;
proper nutrition, avoiding alcohol and smoking;
prevention of scratching itchy skin;
regular preventive examinations by doctors in order to identify somatic pathology.

Reviews on the treatment of senile itching

Senile itching is a problem that needs to be treated individually. The use of a complex of therapeutic and hygienic measures can significantly facilitate physical and emotional condition an elderly person. By accurately determining the cause of the itching, you can get rid of the discomfort forever.

I have a secondary medical education. I've been freelancing for about five years.

lechenie-simptomy.ru

Content

Senile itching - causes and treatment

In old age, the skin requires special care. We can say that it becomes more fragile - it becomes thinner, dehydrated, and loses elasticity. Its sensitivity to external influences increases, and its protective functions, on the contrary, decrease.

This happens due to the physiological reasons for the aging of the body, when metabolic processes slow down, the renewal of skin cells, the work of the sebaceous and sweat glands is disrupted, and water and lipid metabolism slows down.

The skin receives less and less resources it needs to successfully perform its main functions - to be a barrier to infections, regulate body temperature, participate in oxygen metabolism, and others.

As a result, we have what is popularly called "senile itching" - the body's response to age-related changes in the skin.

Symptoms

These unpleasant sensations of irritation, burning and tingling, caused precisely by the above-mentioned physiological reasons, are a common complaint in patients over 65 years of age.

It is important to distinguish senile itching from the reaction of the skin to other problems that have accumulated in the body with age - chronic diseases of internal organs, neurotic disorders, allergic reactions, skin diseases and infections, fungal lesions skin.

Redness of the skin with itching

Although most often these manifestations are superimposed on each other. Therefore, diagnosing cases of pruritus is not straightforward.

The main differences between senile itching and other diseases:

the intensity of the itching changes, up to very painful;
has no complications in the form of purulent inflammation;
in the evening the itching intensifies;
itching can bother for months, then stop, then resume;
atypical places of combing;
nails polished by constant scratching.

Senile itch more often worries men than women!

The presence of this problem seriously affects the quality of human life.

To diagnose senile itching, it is necessary to exclude pathological causes itching:

systemic diseases - chronic diseases kidney, liver, stomach, endocrine disorders;
cutaneous - dermatitis;
infectious - scabies and head lice;
allergies or drug itching;
mental illness and neurosis;
malignant diseases.

Causes of itching in the elderly

The irritation is caused by a layer of dead cells, which must be replaced by young cells. However, due to the fact that the skin is exhausted, this natural regeneration process is disturbed, keratinized dead cells remain on the surface of the skin for a longer time and clog it - a reverse process occurs, a degenerative one.

It is also manifested by sclerotic changes in blood vessels, partial atrophy of nerve fibers, sweat and sebaceous glands. Outwardly, it looks like dry skin. Often a concomitant problem is a violation of endocrine functions and bowel function. The situation is aggravated by poor nutrition.

There is no single generally accepted treatment regimen for senile itching. Treatment is always prescribed by the doctor individually, taking into account the aggravating factors, the severity of the itching itself, the patient's health status, the likelihood of adverse effects from treatment.

The doctor's consultation

As a rule, without medication does not do, it, in turn, is local and systemic. The problem may be contraindications and, accordingly, the impossibility of using certain drugs.

In any case, it is important that elderly patient realized the reasons for this phenomenon and the consequences of one or another of his behavior in relation to the problem. Scratching should be avoided, which leads to a vicious circle, as scratching increases the itching and vice versa.

Because heat increases itching, cooling effects - cool showers, air conditioning, menthol cooling creams and ointments, light clothing - will alleviate suffering.

Video: Effective folk remedies for itchy skin

also read with us - Prevention of bedsores in a bed patient

Local treatment

Local treatment is designed to soften, moisturize dry skin, restore its protective properties as much as possible. For this, non-pharmacological agents are used - moisturizing, emollient and protective creams and ointments.

The therapeutic efficacy of topical corticosteroids is not due to the antipruritic effect, but to the anti-inflammatory effect.

Itching treatment with medication

In addition, the elderly are at risk of complications from long-term use these funds are much higher, therefore, use with caution, monitoring the duration of use.

Local preparations with menthol and local anesthetics reduce the sensation of itching without affecting its causes. In some cases, capsaicin is also effective as a distraction and pain reliever, with many side effects.

Systemic treatment

Systemic treatment includes the use of antihistamines, sedatives, antidepressants. Antihistamines have a minimal effect, mainly due to the hypnotic effect, and therefore must be prescribed carefully.

Combined sedative

Anxiety medications can help fight nighttime itching. Antidepressants are effective in advanced cancer and in patients with psychogenic causes of pruritus.

Phototherapy

Physical treatment (phototherapy) - exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight or bright light from artificial sources) with certain wavelengths for a certain time.

It has been used for a long time in the treatment of itchy dermatoses and can be of help in the fight against senile itching. Limitations in the use of this method of treatment are the likelihood of a phototoxicity reaction, as well as its low availability.

Treatment with folk remedies

To enrich the skin with vitamin E, it is useful to eat 100-200 grams of pumpkin seeds every day. Traditional healers are advised to take inside a decoction of nettle, burdock roots and licorice (you can in any combination), two tablespoons a day.

An apple bite is used as a local immunomodulator - they lubricate itchy areas with it.

Treatment of senile itching with folk remedies

There are also such means for external use: acidified water (3 tablespoons of table vinegar per 1 glass of water), lemon juice, chamomile infusion, a mixture of 2% novocaine with fir oil.

As a sedative folk remedy, it is recommended to drink lemon balm tea 2 times a day. You also need to be careful with folk remedies, they can have their side effects and contraindications.

Attention: Do not self-medicate - see your doctor at the first signs of illness!

Conclusion

In old age, the skin should be carefully cared for. Avoid exposing the skin to dryness. It is best not to take hot baths and avoid too frequent water treatments for body.

Try to use mild soap (baby, glycerin) or not use it at all. Refuse to wipe the skin with alcohol or cologne.

Use moisturizers after bath and shower. Correct nutrition by introducing into the diet more productsrich in vitamin E.

Video: Itchy skin

noalone.ru

The elderly in our country make up a rapidly growing part of the population. This category of citizens has one of the most frequent problems with the skin is senile itching. With age, a large number of different changes occur in the body. Elimination of senile itching of the skin is an urgent therapeutic problem of our time. The etiology of this disease is very diverse. This article will help you navigate the causes of senile itching of the skin and how to treat it.

At what age does senile itching of the skin occur?

Senile itching of the skin in medical circles is increasingly discussed as an independent, noteworthy pathology. The fact is that this is a common disease, and its effective ways there is still no treatment. Basically this problem appears in people aged 50-70 years, and men suffer much more from it. Often, irritation overpowers an elderly person in the form of violent nocturnal attacks, although outbreaks of the disease are noted in the daytime.

The origin of senile itching of the skin is inextricably linked with age-related changes in the body. All life support systems undergo restructuring: hormonal, circulatory, peripheral nervous, gastrointestinal tract. The consequences of these changes often appear on the skin in the form of unbearable itching, various types of rashes. Man feels severe discomfort, his life habits are disrupted.

In patients with senile itching of the skin, a state of insomnia and a decrease in the general emotional background are often noted. They have difficulties in communication, in labor and social activities. This disease can be a harbinger of developing psychosomatic disorders or mental disorders of various kinds. This is more than a serious justification for drawing the attention of the medical community to the study of the causes, treatment and prevention of senile itching of the skin.

How does senile itching of the skin manifest?

Itchy skin can be caused by a variety of causes in older people. It depends on the individual characteristics of each patient, on the condition of the skin, previous and existing diseases. At the same time, there are signs that are common to all patients:

1. Undulating current.

Itching attacks occur in periods during the day, then growing, then subsiding. Especially acute outbreaks often occur at night, when the itching becomes unbearable, bringing the patient to extreme excitement. A wave-like course can manifest itself in long periods of exacerbation and subsequent calm, that is, a complete absence of signs of illness, a state of remission.

2. Absence of scratches and scratches.

In other diseases with similar symptoms, scratching, scratching, and chafing wounds are common. In patients with senile itching of the skin, these signs are rare, only from constant scratching on the nails there are polished, very smooth areas.

3. Dryness and other skin imperfections.

Itching is usually accompanied by various symptomsmanifested on the skin: dryness, flaking. The epidermis can be disturbed by rashes, related in origin to eczema or herpes. Erythema may form in the form of redness, swelling, irritation. Senile itching is often accompanied by boils and age spots. All these signs indicate an unsatisfactory condition of the skin and serious disorders in the body.

Read the material

What is senile itching of the skin

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Causes and factors of development

Natural causes of itching:

a decrease in the amount of fluid in the body;
loss of skin elasticity;
use of bed and underwear made of artificial materials;
lack of thorough hygiene due to weakness;
the use of aggressive soap;
the reaction of the skin of an elderly person to hard water.

hormonal diseases or restructuring of the body (in women - menopause, in men - a decrease in testosterone);
diabetes;
gastrointestinal diseases;
diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including atherosclerosis;
insufficient work of the sebaceous and sweat glands.

There are other conditions that can trigger itching. That is why it is necessary to be examined by a specialist who will exclude or confirm the pathology and prescribe symptomatic treatment.

Itchy skin in diabetes mellitus - video

The clinical picture in the elderly

The disease in each person has a different severity. Some are sometimes scratched, others have a deteriorating quality of life. You should pay attention if the following signs appear:

constant itching, worsening in the evening;
soreness of the skin in several places;
burning sensation;
the formation of red spots;
dry skin, its increased peeling;
increased irritability
decreased appetite;
insomnia.

If the disease worries and interferes with leading a full life, do not postpone a visit to a dermatologist. He will prescribe a diet and treatment that will help improve the situation. As a rule, with the use of special ointments and light lifestyle correction, the ailment disappears without a trace.

Diagnostics

After the interview, the patient's skin is examined. During this stage, the specialist will be able to identify the disease. In addition, the doctor will advise you to take:

Scraping to exclude fungal infections or the addition of a bacterial infection.
Analysis for hidden allergens.

Differential diagnosis helps not to confuse senile itching with serious skin diseases, similar in symptoms:

contact dermatitis;
atopic dermatitis;
psoriasis;
scabies;
hives.

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the disease, appropriate treatment is selected. If the cause of the itching is not a serious pathology, the use of local medications in the form of ointments, creams or gels will be required, as well as adherence to a certain diet. If the situation raises concerns, medications and physiotherapy procedures are prescribed to treat the underlying disease that causes itching.

In addition, with the permission and under the supervision of a dermatologist, it is allowed to use traditional medicine recipes that help no worse than drugs. Self-medication is not recommended.

Medicines: tablets, ointments and other drugs

Approximate treatment regimen:

Additionally, tablet forms of hormonal drugs can be prescribed, which will help relieve symptoms, and are corrected with an illness in a few days.

Food

The diet should include a complex of essential vitamins and minerals, because the condition of his skin directly depends on the nutrition of an elderly person.

Forbidden to use:

caffeine;
spicy, spicy, pickled dishes;
heavy meat broths and fried foods;
fruits and vegetables with an allergic factor (citrus fruits and all red, orange fruits);
chocolate;
wheat flour products (fresh baked goods);
products with various artificial flavors and additives (soda, chips, crackers).

The daily diet should consist of 6-7 small portions, which will not overload the stomach and cause a feeling of heaviness after eating.

It is worth noting that iodine deficiency leads to disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland and other hormone-producing organs, which inevitably affects the condition of the skin. In this case, it is recommended to season the food with special iodized salt, which compensates for the lack of the element.

Iodine-rich foods:

seaweed;
fish and offal (hake, cod liver);
seafood.

They need to be consumed no more than three times a week, since an excess of iodine is no less dangerous than its lack.

Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for the proper functioning of all organs and systems. They affect the condition of the skin of the elderly, nourish it from the inside, and protect it from adverse external factors. A lack of fatty acids provokes senile itching and other unpleasant symptoms.

Foods rich in healthy fats:

vegetable unrefined oil;
walnuts;
sunflower, flax, pumpkin seeds;
sea \u200b\u200bfish;
seafood.

Daily consumption of 10 ml of vegetable oil on an empty stomach has a beneficial effect on the health of the gastrointestinal tract, circulatory system, and skin.

How to get rid of itching with physical therapy

Physiotherapy is known for its anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating and restorative effects.

In the treatment of skin diseases, the most common ultraviolet therapy (UFO). It has a beneficial effect on the epidermis:

restores protective properties;
starts natural metabolic processes.

In older people, sometimes there is a side effect in the form of the formation of age spots, so the procedure should be approached with caution.

How to treat with folk remedies

There are several common recipes that reduce itching and provide visible relief at night:

Aloe based ointment. For production, you need to take the squeezed juice of freshly picked stems of aloe (without peel), mix with medical petroleum jelly in a 1: 2 ratio and process the skin several times a day until the condition improves. Store the composition in the refrigerator.
Vegetable oil. If there are no medicines on hand, you can use any vegetable oil (for example, sunflower, olive, corn, soybean, flaxseed) to relieve the condition. They need to lubricate their bodies twice a day.
Mixtures of herbs. Baths with herbs can eliminate the unpleasant symptom. You can use celandine, oak bark, chamomile, birch buds together or separately. To make the infusion, you need to take 100 grams of a mixture of herbs, pour two liters of boiling water and leave in a warm place for 2 hours. Next, strain and add the infusion to the bath. Such bathing is recommended to be carried out daily.

If folk remedies do not give positive results within a week, you should seek help from a specialist.

Complications

If you get an appointment with a doctor in a timely manner, the prognosis is usually favorable. Ointments and tablets quickly eliminate itching without leaving a trace of it.

It is necessary to undergo a full course of treatment, as well as regularly carry out preventive measures so that relapses do not make themselves felt in the future.

With adequate therapy, complications are extremely rare. Among them, the following are most often distinguished:

Infectious skin lesions, manifested as a result of severe scratching of itchy areas.
Neurotic disorders (indirect complications). A person is worried about insomnia, irritability and apathy appear. After treatment of itching, this condition goes away on its own.

Prevention

Preventive measures:

Change bedding and underwear made of artificial fabrics for cotton counterparts.
Regularly moisturize and nourish the skin with oils or creams, avoid overdrying it with aggressive running water or soap (do not cleanse the skin "until it squeaks").
Cover bare skin while walking under the scorching sun.
Improve nutrition, include foods containing polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet.
Do not comb or rub the itchy areas of the body.
Timely cut nails to prevent skin infections.
Annually undergo medical examination by all specialized doctors (endocrinologist, cardiologist, therapist, dermatologist).
Do not drink alcohol or smoke.