Managing common skin conditions in older people

Dermatology conditions are extremely common, affecting anyone of any age. But with age comes changes to the skin that can make it more prone to disease. It becomes less oily, less elastic, thinner, bruises easily, and can take a long time to heal when cut.1 Skin disease can affect older patients’ physical health, causing pain, sleep disturbance and itching. But it can also affect their mental wellbeing, resulting in loss of confidence, depression, anxiety, and problems with interpersonal relationships, as well as impacting on other family members and carers.2 Common skin diagnoses in older people are eczema, psoriasis and pruritus.