DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Itching in the elderly, especially in the skin areas poor in sebaceous glands (e.g. lower leg), often as a result of sebostasis, less frequently than paraneoplastic syndrome. Itching especially in winter, s.a. pruritus hiemalis, s.a. eczema, desiccation eczema.
LaboratoryThis section has been translated automatically.
Orienting blood test with differential blood count, BSG, liver, kidney values, thyroid values, bilirubin, ferritin.
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DiagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.
If necessary, sonographies, radiological examinations, consiliary presentations (internal medicine, neurology, urology, gynaecology, psychosomatics).
Differential diagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.
See Table 1.
TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.
Accommodation/General: Elimination of causes, sufficient skin care in case of pronounced xerosis cutis (e.g. Optiderm), replenishing substances when showering and bathing (e.g. Balneum Hermal oil bath), urea-containing external preparations (e.g. Optiderm), if necessary UV phototherapy. Antihistamines usually have little effect. S.u. Ichthyosis acquisita (pseudoichthyoses) and Ichthyosis vulgaris, autosomal dominant.
TablesThis section has been translated automatically.
Dermatoses |
Desiccation dermatitis, Epizoonoses (scabies), Infectious diseases, Virus exanthema, T-cell lymphomas, Autoimmune dermatoses, Seb. eczema, Atopic eczema, Psoriasis vulgaris, Urticaria |
Systemic diseases |
Renal diseases, hepatic diseases, hematological diseases, neoplasias |
Medication intake |
antiarrhythmics, antihypertensives, ACE inhibitors, antidepressants, plasma expanders, blood flow enhancing drugs |
Neurological/psychogenic diseases |
Prurigo nodularis, neuropathies, tumors, multiple sclerosis, dermatomania, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder |
Diet/life habitsThis section has been translated automatically.
Consistent care of dry skin in old age!
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Lonsdale-Eccles A et al (2003) Treatment of pruritus associated with systemic disorders in the elderly: a review of the role of new therapies. Drugs Aging 20: 197-208
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Incoming links (4)
Atrophy senile of the skin; Common pruritus; Pediculosis corporis; Pruritus cum materia;Outgoing links (7)
Asteatotic dermatitis; Common pruritus; Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes (overview); Ichthyosis acquisita (pseudoichthyosis); Ichthyosis vulgaris; Pruritus; Sebostasis;Disclaimer
Please ask your physician for a reliable diagnosis. This website is only meant as a reference.
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer