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Changes occur in the

• EPIDERMIS, DERMIS, BLOOD SUPPLY

• NERVE SUPPLY, HAIR,

• GLANDS AND NAILS

General changes are related to ageing or sun damage

Clinical significance of epidermal changes:

• Atrophic skin

• Decreased resistance to shearing forces

Significant changes at cellular level for each epidermal layer

Clinical significance of dermal changes:

• Fragile skin

• Decrease elastic recoil

• Sagging skin

Significant changes at cellular level for each epidermal layer

Blood supply:

• Decreased ability to control core temperature.

• Increased likelihood of bruising

Nerve supply

• Decline in sensory function can predispose to increased amount of trauma

Hair & Glands

• Glands decrease which results in dry skin and reduced ability to thermo-regulate

• Results in xerosis and increased risk of heat stroke

Nails

• Increased incidence of onychorrhexis, Beau’s lines and involution and onychomycosis

• Slow rate of growth requires long treatment times for onychomycosis

Common dermatoses in the elderly:

Asteatotic eczema

Basal cell carcinoma

Pruritis

Warts

Squamous cell carcinoma

Solar keratoses

Fungal infections

Solar elastosis

Pressure ulcers

Malignant melanoma

Bullous pemphigoid

Onychomycosis

Venous and arterial ulcers

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