Palmer Sarah Jane
Registered nurse and freelance writer, based at the Department of Work and Pensions as a disability analyst.
Br J Community Nurs. 2020 May 2;25(5):222-226. doi: 10.12968/bjcn.2020.25.5.222.
The skin is one of the most important parts of the human body. It protects the underlying tissue from injury and is a valuable part of the homeostatic processes. The skin is delicate, and, therefore, dermatological intervention is an important part of patient care in the case of skin problems. Older people have more frail and aged skin, which must be treated correctly to avoid skin breaks, especially where there are any dermatological conditions present. Not only this, but where there is a wound, the dressing must be chosen and applied carefully, to treat the condition but also to avoid damage when it comes to removing the dressing, due to the risk of the skin tearing, which can be a common problem in older adults. Further, the thinner, drier skin of older people has moisture and barrier changes that lead to a higher susceptibility to eczema. This article provides an overview of the aetiological, diagnostic and treatment aspects of geriatric dermatology, with a focus on the common allergic skin conditions (dermatitis) seen in older adults.
皮肤是人体最重要的部位之一。它保护下面的组织免受损伤，是体内平衡过程的重要组成部分。皮肤很脆弱，因此，在出现皮肤问题时，皮肤科干预是患者护理的重要组成部分。老年人的皮肤更加脆弱和老化，必须正确治疗以避免皮肤破损，尤其是在存在任何皮肤病的情况下。不仅如此，在有伤口的情况下，必须谨慎选择和使用敷料，既要治疗病情，又要避免在去除敷料时造成损伤，因为存在皮肤撕裂的风险，这在老年人中可能是一个常见问题。此外，老年人更薄、更干燥的皮肤存在水分和屏障变化，导致更容易患湿疹。本文概述了老年皮肤病学的病因、诊断和治疗方面，重点关注老年人常见的过敏性皮肤病（皮炎）。
