She started to scratch her body and I thought she had some kind of allergy since her skin was red and had irritation bumps.
I applied ointments for itchy skin, gave her benadryl and placed cold ice pack on her red skin when she was scratching vigorously until she fell asleep at 12:30 am. But when she woke up in the morning, her body was back to normal and showed no sign of irritation until she started to scratch her body again. She only scratched few times since she woke up, but I am afraid she might start to scratching again soon.
She takes a shower 3 times a week and I always apply plenty of body cream on her. Nothing has changed with her routine.
What should I do?
We saw her doctor and blood test came out all OK. Doctor told us that it is very common for elderly to have a scratching problem due to dry skin and recommended to apply good moisturizer everyday.
I applied Cetaphil Cream every night and made sure she drinks enough fluids.
I have been using a goat milk soap instead of her usual body shampoo.
I even had humidifier on several hours a day.
Within 2 days she stopped scratching. I do not have humidifier on anymore but she is doing well so far.
Thank you all for your kind replies and I am so glad that I am able to post a good news.
You can get other products with benzocaine in them too that come in spray cans. Go to the drugstore and look around, or ask the pharmacist what s/he recommends.
GOOD LUCK and Godspeed. I feel your pain.
I will check it out and hope it works for my mom.
Here’s a link to some hand mitts, if you think they might help:
Wisexplorer 2 PCS Packed Hand Restraint Glove for Elderly, Safety and Breathable Dementia Anti Scratch Mitts for Patients, Great Help for Patients and Caregivers(1 pair packed):
https://a.co/d/dvag3Nr