Medical Health Encyclopedia

Aging changes in skin

Rubbing or pulling on the skin can cause skin tears. Fragile blood vessels are easily broken. Bruises, flat collections of blood (purpura), and raised collections of blood (hematomas) may form after even a minor injury.

This is most easily seen on the outside surface of the forearms, but can occur anywhere on the body. Skin changes and loss of subcutaneous fat, combined with a tendency to be less active, as well as some nutritional deficiencies and other illnesses contribute to pressure ulcers.

Aging skin repairs itself more slowly than younger skin. Wound healing may be up to 4 times slower. This contributes to pressure ulcers and infections. Diabetes, blood vessel changes, lowered immunity, and similar factors also affect healing.

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COMMON PROBLEMS

Skin disorders are so common among older people that it is often difficult to tell normal changes from those related to a disorder. More than 90% of all older people have some type of skin disorder.

Skin disorders can be caused by many diseases including diabetes, liver disease, heart disease and blood vessel diseases such as arteriosclerosis. Stress, reactions to medications, obesity and nutritional deficiencies can be other causes.

Climate, exposures to industrial and household chemicals, indoor heating, clothing, allergies to plants and other allergies and many other common exposures can also cause skin changes.

Sunlight can cause elastosis (loss of elasticity), keratoacanthomas (noncancerous skin growths), thickening of the skin, pigment changes such as liver spots, and other conditions.

Sun exposure has also been directly linked to skin cancers, including basal cell epithelioma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

PREVENTION

Because most skin changes are related to sun exposure, prevention is a lifelong process.

• Prevent sunburn if at all possible.
• Use a good quality sunscreen when outdoors, even in the winter.
• Wear protective clothing and hats as necessary.