Psoriasis is a skin condition that seniors can develop, even if they never had it before. Because of age-related skin changes, seniors may develop skin infections if they don’t manage their psoriasis well. Personal care at home is specialized care for seniors to help them with tasks like showering, hygiene tasks, and skincare.
Psoriasis can cause symptoms like:
- Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales.
- Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or become painful.
- Itching, burning, or soreness in affected areas.
- Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails.
- Stiff, swollen joints, in cases where psoriatic arthritis is present.
- Patches of thick, scaly, and itchy skin on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back
If you suspect that your mom or dad may have psoriasis they need to see a dermatologist. They may need prescription medication to help treat psoriasis or antibiotics to deal with any skin infections.
Some things can help your mom or dad manage the symptoms of psoriasis such as:
Get Personal Care At Home
If your mom or dad has psoriasis they need to take good care of their skin, starting with regular gentle cleansing. Even if your mom or dad doesn’t shower daily they should be washing the area where they have psoriasis to avoid infection and keep bacteria out of any tiny cracks in the skin.
With personal care at home, your mom or dad will have the extra help they need to take care of their skin during psoriasis flare-ups.
Avoid Environmental Triggers
Environmental triggers can set off a flare-up of psoriasis or make existing symptoms worse. Seniors, who are generally more sensitive to their environment and have trouble managing their body temperature, are very susceptible to environmental psoriasis triggers.
To lower the risk of environmental triggers making psoriasis worse your mom or dad should use tools like a humidifier and an air purifier to help reduce allergens in the home and improve the quality of the air. Houseplants can also do a great job removing allergens from indoor air.
Use Topical Creams And Lotions
Topical creams that have pain and itch-relieving additives can help your mom or dad manage their psoriasis symptoms and stop them from scratching their skin. Using a heavy lotion or petroleum jelly on the affected skin can help keep the skin moisturized and heal cracks that result from dryness.
Avoid Using Harsh Skin Care Products
If your mom or dad has personal care at home make sure their care provider knows to avoid using shower gels or soaps that are too harsh for delicate skin. It’s usually recommended that seniors use soaps recommended for mature skin. Soaps, lotions, and shampoos made for babies are also great for seniors because seniors also have very delicate skin that requires gentle cleansing.
Avoid Scented Skin Products
It’s also a good idea to avoid any scented soaps, lotions, or other skincare products. Scented products may contain harsh chemicals or strong fragrance oils that can cause rashes or make irritated skin even more irritated.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care Services in Deerfield Beach FL, please get in touch with the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call 954-962-0926.
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Florida including Palm Beach, Miami Dade, and Broward County.
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