As people age, they may begin to develop skin conditions that they have not had before. One of these conditions is Psoriasis (PsO). This is an inflammatory skin disease caused by skin cells that are overactive. The cells multiply and pile up on the skin causing red, scaly patches. These patches might be itchy or painful and may be present on your feet, hands, various body folds, and nails.

What causes psoriasis in elderly?

Based on the research available, genetics may be to blame for having late-onset PsO, however your lifestyle and the environment also play a factor. PsO may be triggered by beta-blocking medications. Also, conditions such as high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, and even obesity play a factor in getting psoriasis.

Is psoriasis common in elderly?

Unfortunately, psoriasis is common in the elderly. The condition may become worse due to underlying conditions such as type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and heart disease. Even though it cannot be spread to others, senior psoriasis is one of the most common and serious skin diseases. It usually becomes a chronic condition with seniors and there is currently not a cure available.

The exact cause of psoriasis is unfortunately unknown. Scientists have found that genes and the immune system are big factors in understanding psoriasis. When someone has psoriasis, scientists have found that their T-cells attack the body skin cells which triggers the body to make more new cells more frequently. Once the T-cells attack, they keep attacking the rest of the person’s lifetime. This disease also runs in families. However, some people who have psoriasis don’t possess the gene that increases their risk of getting the disease, while others have the gene that increases their risk but never develop it in their lifetime.

Scientists have found that there are other factors that trigger psoriasis such as:

• Stress
• Injury to the skin such as cuts or buns
• Infections
• Various medications such as prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and lithium
• Cold and dry weather

What is the life expectancy of someone with psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a serious skin condition and should be treated as such. Patients diagnosed with it are usually worried how it will progress over time and if there is anything that can be done to prevent the disease from getting worse.

It is true that the cure for psoriasis does not exist, however there are various treatments that can help with managing the symptoms of the disease. Finding the right treatment for you is important and your prognosis will depend on it.

What happens if you leave your psoriasis untreated?

As psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition affecting the skin, not treating it will cause worse symptoms and you can also develop complications such as psoriatic arthritis and diabetes. The condition itself causes itching, so leaving it untreated may cause severe itching and pain that will affect your skin. You can also develop inflammation which can cause further complications to other parts of your body.

Not treating psoriasis will make the condition worse. As it is an autoimmune disease, the immune cells in the body attack healthy cells. When you have symptoms of psoriasis on your body, that means that you have inflammation inside your body. If you do not get treatment for psoriasis, this will decrease your quality of life. Therefore, it is very important to treat psoriasis so that you do not develop other diseases.

There are short-term and long-term symptoms of psoriasis. Short-term symptoms of psoriasis come and go and include:

• Thick and discolored skin patches with silvery scales
• Dry and cracked skin
• Thick and pitted nails

Long-term conditions that can be developed over time include:

Psoriatic arthritis

This condition causes pain and swelling of the joints in the areas where the tendons and ligaments attach to the bones. The condition develops 7-10 years after the symptoms of psoriasis develop. Those who have certain conditions are at a higher risk of developing this disease. These include:

• Being obese
• Having serious psoriasis
• Having injuries to joints or bones
• Having infections

It is extremely important to treat psoriatic arthritis or it can cause severe disability.

Cardiovascular disease

Psoriatic arthritis can cause cardiovascular disease because the immune cells in psoriasis can go into the blood, increasing the risk of cardiovascular conditions. These conditions include heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, issues with heart valves etc.

Metabolic syndrome

This is a common condition caused by severe psoriasis. This condition is a combination of other disorders including high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity.

Type 2 Diabetes

It is possible that if you have psoriasis, you may develop type 2 diabetes.

Depression and anxiety

Psoriasis can have a major effect on your confidence. As the condition is very visible on your body, those suffering from it may be afraid to be stigmatized which can cause various mental health conditions.

Inflammatory bowel disease

This disease is caused by an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Those who have psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing this disease.

Kidney disease

Kidney disease means that the kidneys are not filtering blood normally, which causes fluid and waste to stay in the body. Those who have psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing this condition.

Can psoriasis start at 70?

Psoriasis can start at any age, and anyone of any gender or race can get the disease. It can also get better over time or get worse.

Psoriasis Treatment

It is important to understand that psoriasis is a serious skin condition and if you or a loved one are affected by this condition, you should seek treatment right away so that it does not get worse over time and cause you additional health issues. It is always best to speak with your doctor if you notice any symptoms of psoriasis.

The main treatments for psoriasis include topical treatments such as prescription creams and shampoos as well as systemic treatments such as immunosuppressants to help the immune system and other medications for lung and kidney problems or high blood pressure.  These treatments should come directly from a doctor.

There are some natural psoriasis treatments you can do with your senior loved ones who are affected by this condition.  Always remember to consult their doctor before trying any of the following treatments:

• Salt bath: Soaking in a warm salt bath of Epsom salts for 15 minutes can help lift scales and reduce itching. Make sure to moisturize after the salt bath to prevent drying of the skin.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera cream with 0.5% aloe can provide temporary relief and can be used up to 3 times each day.
• Apple cider vinegar: Applying a mixture of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar can help ease the itching. Make sure you only use it a few times a week and avoid open wounds.  The vinegar must be diluted with water to avoid burning the skin.
• Healthy diet: A healthier diet can help regulate weight which will prevent symptoms from getting worse. Those who are overweight may be able to lessen their symptoms by losing weight.

Home Care from Assisting Hands

Are you currently in need of senior home care for you or a loved one? Assisting Hands Home Care can help. We offer companion care services to seniors in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Bradenton, FL, and the surrounding areas. Our highly trained professional caregivers will take care of your loved one in the comfort of their own home. We will also make sure to enlighten their days with friendly social interaction. For more information on our senior home care and companion services, you can call us at (941) 315-2336.