Dry skin can be extremely irritating.
When caring for your elderly loved one, if they have dry skin, it would be best to help them manage it. There are many different tips for handling dry skin. One of the first things that needs to be done is to figure out what is causing it. If you can help your elderly loved one determine the cause of their dry skin, then, you can help them to find the right solutions.
Dry and Cold Air
One of the common causes of dry skin is dry and cold air. Generally, this happens during the winter or the fall. However, depending on how cold your elderly loved one keeps their house and the humidity level in their house, it could happen at other times of the year, as well. If this does turn out to be the case, you or one of the elder care providers should get them a humidifier. This could help to change the air quality, so your elderly loved one’s skin isn’t as irritated.
Taking Too Many or Too Long Of Showers or Baths
How often does your elderly loved one take showers or baths? Are they taking showers or baths that are too long? If they are taking a lot of showers or baths or ones that are really long, this could be causing their skin to dry out. Many people don’t realize this. Some people think since they are in the water, there is no way their skin could dry out. If this is happening, you or an elder care provider may want to recommend that your elderly loved one doesn’t take as many baths or as long of showers. If they insist on continuing to do so, be sure they are using lotion after their showers or baths.
Using Harmful Products
What types of products does your elderly loved one use on their skin? If they are using products that have harmful ingredients in them, this could be causing their skin to dry out. There are so many products available these days that are filled with harmful chemicals and preservatives. It might be helpful for your elderly loved one to start eliminating one product at a time to see if this might be the cause. If so, eliminating those products permanently could help to heal their skin.
Dry Skin: Conclusion
These are some of the reasons why your elderly loved one might have dry skin. If you can help them to determine the cause, then, you can help them to find the right solutions. If it seems that your elderly loved one has done everything to figure out the cause and nothing is coming up, you or an elder care provider may want to take them to the doctor. There could be a medical reason for their dry skin.