2023-12-28 11:30:00
life
Are you itchy as you get older? In severe cases, it may be a sign that there is a lot of ‘this’ in the blood.[밀당365]
Reporter Kim Seo-hee
Entered 2023/12/28 20:30
Many older people complain of itchy skin during winter./Photo = Clip Art Korea
During dry winter months, itching tends to get worse. In particular, many people complain of itchiness as they age. Learn about the causes of itching and ways to relieve symptoms.
◇Decreased moisture due to aging
Itching occurs when skin neurites react to external substances and friction. When lightly rubbing against an external material such as clothes, a very small electric spark is created. When the nerves are stimulated and transmitted to the brain, the brain interprets this as itching.
The older a person is, the more severe the itching becomes. According to the Korean Society of Clinical Geriatrics, 66% of elderly people feel itchy skin. This is because as you age, your skin becomes drier. When you are young, your skin’s moisture content exceeds 30%, but as you age, it drops to 20%. This is because the ceramide component, which draws moisture from the air into the skin, rapidly decreases. The skin’s vascular function also deteriorates, preventing it from smoothly supplying moisture and nutrients. Additionally, as the skin ages, the sebaceous glands shrink and sebum secretion decreases, causing skin itchiness.
◇Do not scratch, apply moisturizer
If you feel itchy, you should avoid scratching with unclean or unclean hands. Rather, there is a possibility of infection, such as inflammation. If the itching is unbearable, it is better not to scratch it but to apply a moisturizer to relieve itching. In particular, moisturizers containing ceramide, one of the skin lipid components, quickly replenish the lipids lacking in the skin. When applying moisturizer, it is best to apply it within 3 minutes after showering while there is still some moisture on the skin. That way, more moisture can be trapped in the skin. To prevent skin drying, it is best to finish showering within 20 minutes with lukewarm water, not hot water. In addition, promoting blood circulation by regularly stretching the back area also helps prevent itching.
If a wound or scab forms while scratching an itchy area, get a prescription for antihistamine ointment or steroid ointment from a hospital and apply it. When there is a wound on the skin, it becomes more itchy and older people need active treatment because the wound does not heal well. However, steroid ointments can cause various side effects and should only be used for a short period of time. Applying a large amount does not mean that the effect will be better. Apply the appropriate amount according to the doctor’s prescription.
◇If severe, diabetes should be suspected
Severe itching may be caused by certain diseases rather than simply dry skin. If you have diabetes, blood circulation is impaired and peripheral blood vessels are damaged. As a result, the skin becomes dry and sensory nerves become excited at the slightest stimulus, causing itching. If you have kidney disease, kidney function declines and waste products remain in the body, which irritates the skin and causes itchiness. If you have hyperthyroidism, blood flow to the skin increases and the skin surface temperature rises. At this time, even small irritations can easily itch the skin. Itchy skin may appear when you are under a lot of stress or lack of sleep. There are also research results that show that itching becomes worse in situations of tension or fear.
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