Geriatric dermatology.

Geriatric dermatology is a specialty that is receiving particular attention. Among the other topics and diseases briefly covered here are dermatologic nursing home visits, decubitus ulcers, pruritus/xerosis, eczematous dermatitis, psychogenic dermatitides, infections of the skin, purpura, vascular compromise, chronic venous insufficiency, and bullous pemphigoid. Illnesses originating in other organ systems that are made manifest on the skin often complicate the diagnostic and therapeutic picture. Chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and HIV compound the problems in diagnosing and treating geriatric dermatologic diseases. Since the human population is living longer, chronic diseases will become more prevalent, as will diseases of the skin.