As people grow older, their skin becomes dryer, thinner, less elastic and less able to heal from injury. The damaging effects of sun exposure are more apparent, and various diseases and disorders of the skin become increasingly common. Some common skin disorders affecting the elderly are minor or cosmetic. Others are painful and are sometimes an indication of underlying disease.
Actinic Keratosis
After years of sun exposure, a person is more likely to develop actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis. More than 10 million Americans have actinic keratosis, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. These lesions appear as red, pink, tan or dark spots on the skin. They are scaly or crusty and can easily be scraped off. Actinic keratosis lesions are usually found on sun exposed areas and are more common in those with light or red hair and a fair complexion. The lesions are of concern as they are precancerous, and may lead to a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Any of several different methods are used by dermatologists for the removal of actinic keratosis.
Herpes Zoster
People who once had chickenpox can get herpes zoster, also known as shingles. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that about 20 percent of those who previously had chickenpox will get herpes zoster. It most commonly occurs in those over 50 years old. The rash can appear if the chickenpox virus reactivates within some of the nerves in the body. The skin associated with the affected nerves becomes inflamed. Shingles rashes often begin somewhere on one side of the back, where crops of red blisters form over a period of three to five days. The blisters burn, itch and tingle and can cause severe pain. The rash may persist for several weeks. Merck Manuals Medical Library reports that the elderly are especially prone to experiencing pain lasting for months, years or even permanently. Early treatment with antiviral drugs can help lessen the pain and duration of herpes zoster.
Xerosis
The skin of the elderly loses some of its ability to hold in moisture. Xerosis is a condition of abnormally dry skin, common in older people. This dryness causes the skin to be rough, scaly, itchy, cracked and red. Xerosis is often worse in the winter months when the air is cold and dry. Increasing the humidity in the home and using emollient creams can help relieve the symptoms of xerosis.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, is a condition caused by damage to the walls or valves of the leg veins. Veins return oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. With CVI, the one-way valves in the veins do not close properly, allowing blood to flow back into the lower legs. This causes the blood to pool. Weak and damaged leg veins may result from extended periods of standing or sitting. Blood clots in the deep leg veins are the most common cause of CVI, according to the Cleveland Clinic. CVI is most prevalent in those over 50, and it occurs more frequently in women.
CVI affects the appearance of the skin on the lower legs, causing thin, discolored, leathery looking skin with varicose veins, and small ulcers. The skin itches, and the lower legs are swollen. Treatment methods include medications, and increasing the circulation. Surgery might be indicated in a small number of those with CVI.
