Itching Skin In Aging Skin- Most Common Causes

DRY SKIN AND CHRONIC ITCH

The more skin ages the drier it becomes, a change felt as roughness, as the feeling that the skin is covered with fine scales and as an itch which appears mainly in cold, dry  weather.  The skin becomes dry because aging skin holds less water than young skin.

Dry skin is the most common cause of itching in older people, but there are other reasons: sensitivity to dyes in clothing, to wool, to household cleaners and to cosmetics.  Various skin diseases such as scabies or internal diseases such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, renal insufficiency or insufficiency of the liver can all cause generalized itching.  A small percentage of people over 70 suffer from generalized itching not linked to any specific cause.

TREATMENT:

In mild cases of dry skin, it is sufficient to apply a moisturizer on the entire body surface after bathing.  It is important to do this while the skin is still damp.  Using bath oil or an superfatted liquid soap will also prevent the loss of moisture from the skin and make it look younger and healthier.  In cold weather it is enough to soap only those areas which perspire (the armpits, the groin and between the toes); on the rest of the body a soap substitute, which does is less irritating and does not dry the skin, can be used.

Most heaters, especially air-conditioners which are also heating units, dry the air and the skin, and the use of a humidifier should be considered.  A bowl of water may also be placed near the heat source; this too will increase the humidity in the air.  If the skin still remains dry, a dermatologist should be consulted to rule out the possibility of a skin disease or of an internal disease which can sometimes cause dry, itching skin.

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