Constant itch and scratching herself with sores all over. Any advice?

She needs to see her primary because there are prescription medications to alleviate this obsessive behavior.

Try petroleum jelly - which is usually hypoallergenic - after washing her skin as a lubricant. Try an at home allergy test by putting a small drop or 2 of a suspected allergen on her back, cover with a bandaid for 3 days. Areas that are reddened and bumpy are probably allergy or sensitivity triggers. You can try the same as well.

I was able to use home health care nurses that came to the house, since my aunt was homebound. They used a large bandage, covered in guaze wrapping because she scratched sores on her ankles. Now since she is in assisted living, she is wearing support hose and can't scratch her ankles.

Cappuccino42: Your mother needs to see a dermatologist posthaste. There could be many maladies going on with her skin. Eczema or even worse, cellulitis come to mind. The fact that she is scratching with dirt under her fingernails and also picking at surfaces in and around the home is concerning. My 71 year old DH recently suffered from eczema on his back. After seeing his dermatologist, it was completly cleared up with an RX of Opzelura. Before that, it drove him almost crazy. Also, as one ages, oftentimes creams and even body washes are an irritant. Recently, I had to completely stop using bubble bath and shower gels and opted for deodorant soap only - white Dial per my podiatrist. Elders' skin is quite thin, too.

@Cappuccino42, I hope some posters' recommendations can help quell your dear mother's torment.

I have little to offer except to say stay away from aloe vera gels and lotions and soaps that so many people swear by - I am horribly allergic to aloe vera, and when those mild-seeming products touch my skin or scalp it takes more than a week for me to no longer feel a tortuous itch.

Same with mint-fragrance anything.

Regarding bandages, make sure you buy latex-free band-aid type products, or if your mother will rip band-aids off, could you cover the itchy skin with Desitin* (which is the only product that has ever made a lick of difference for me) then wrap the area fully with gauze, then secure the gauze with 3M brand latex-free self-adherent?

If you've already gone down those routes unsuccessfully, disregard my comments. Best of luck.

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* note: of course try the Desitin in a moderately small spot first, like a back shoulder blade to see if it causes problems or also causes in your mom a bad reaction

Your mum needs to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. The dermatologist should take a biopsy of one of the sores to determine what is causing the itch. If it is an autoimmune disease, the doctor will probably prescribe a steroid with an autoimmune suppressant. If the itching is caused by a disease that can be treated, your mom will be able to live much more comfortably; if psychological, other treatments are available. Constantly itching is a miserable way to live.

I am surprised that her PCP cannot offer you and her more direction with this; even if it is a referral to an allergist or dermatologist or other appropriate specialist. I would push to PCP to do this. Or better yet, call and make an appointment yourself and not go through the dreaded and time consuming referral process. Not all specialists require a referral. Call and speak with her PCP first , then if you do not get satisfactory referrals, begin to look into a specialist yourself. Perhaps your mother needs a battery of skin tests for example to identify what she is allergic to.

Important to remember:
Other physical illnesses( other than allergies) can cause severe itching also.

So, her PCP should be assessing this also. It seems to me that the medical community is failing her if they are not identifying the cause(s) of the itching as well as identifying how to best address the itching and scratching in the meantime .

In the meantime, confer with even a wound specialists to assess the wounds she is inflicting and get recommendations from them as to how best limit her scratching ( I have seen folks have to wear cotton mittens for example and these are secured onto their hands as directed by appropriate medical staff to limit scratching.

it sounds like you are surely doing your best and trying hard......
And it sounds like the medical community needs to do more ................

Practice good self care also..... you are doing a lot..... and you are important too,,,,

Peace

I have several autoimmune issues, one of which involves an itch so deep that you want to use a wire brush when it flares up. My histamine levels are through the roof when the disease flares. The doctor has me take allergy medicine, for the antihistamines. He also gives me a steroid pack.

I agree that she should see a Dermatologist, a small daily dose of a steroid would beat back the histamines and inflammation, which should make you Mom’s life much less miserable.

You might try going to a local craft fair, soap shop or on Etsy and have a custom made soap created that gently cleans and protects her skin all in one. That way you'll know the exact ingredients in use. A mild goat or sheep milk organic soap with lanolin can work wonders for dry, sensitive skin.

Similar problem with husband who has dementia. Ordered "anti-scratch" mitts from Amazon. They have velcro at the wrists, are soft and well-padded. They do not seem to be uncomfortable for my husband. So far, they have helped. He also sleeps with them on as there were issues with scratching during the night. I hope you find something that works for your situation. (((Hugs to you.)))

I think your mom needs to see a dermatologist first. I don't know how far progressed her dementia is. This part is important in how to treat her and get her to stop scratching.
I had a care client who had advanced dementia that would constantly scratch and pick at her skin to the point where she would bleed and get skin infections. It got to the point where she had to have cloth gloves secured to her hands with tape during the day and oven mitts on her hands at night to stop her. It took a lot to get her well enough to where the gloves and oven mitts were even effective. For a couple of months her arms and upper legs had to be wrapped like a mummy to keep her from picking.
Your mother may need to be put on an oral steroid to help with the itching and inflammation. She may also need psychiatric medication. The constant scratching is because her skin itches, but it's also a type of OCD. Medication can help with that.

Your mom needs to see her primary for some medication. This can be another stage of dementia. A friend's mom did the same but a prescription stopped the activity.

An additional issue is the horribly dry skin our seniors have. Showering twice a week is sufficient with a wash for sensitive skin, pat dry & then apply moisturizer for extremely dry skin. A sink bath is sufficient for everyday.
A serum or oil can be massaged into her scalp.Coconut oil can be used on skin & scalp. It is inexpensive & works well.

I dunno. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that all these recommendations to see a psychologist/psychiatrist do a disservice to the elderly patient who actually has a very real problem. In other words, “It’s all in get head.” It’s insulting.

My mom has had itchy skin all her life. It’s worse now as she gets older. As she’s gotten older, her skin is thinner. A slight crease in the paper adult diaper can be itchy and really bothersome.

We had an excellent dermatologist at one point in our lives who used to recommend a dilute vinegar bath. I have eczema on my face. I dilute vinegar in a bowl of water and soak a wash rag in it and then compress it on my face. It works! So try dilute vinegar compresses on mum.

Another thing that works is petroleum jelly. I’ve read that your mum doesn’t like it. I agree. It’s icky. However, it works: put a light coating of petroleum jelly all over mum. Then wash. Her skin should come out like a baby’s butt and it won’t itch so much. Yeah. Yeah. It may still itch, but not so much. She’ll get relief. I’m a fellow sufferer. If any medical personnel tells me it’s all in my head, I tell them to go F off!

We do the above for my 100-year-old mom. She gets relief. It’s not a 100% solution, but it makes the problem manageable.

Oh my goodness! I feel like you're writing about future me! I'm even allergic to tape, which apparently is incredibly rare. I scratch and pick incessantly, with the resulting sores--that I can't bandage due to the allergy.

Possibly related, or perhaps not: My son, who has sensitive skin, is allergic to coconuts and shea butter, which is in a ton of moisturizing creams. Moon Valley Organics sells a lemon moisturizing bar which is the ONLY thing I've ever found that doesn't cause him pain. The other scents they sell all have coconut, only the (yellow) lemon bar does not. It works amazingly well, both to eliminate his moisturizer-related pain and to reduce my idiopathic itching.

Good luck! :)

Yeah, I have some itching as well. It's eczema on the outside of the ears and behind them with dry skin. My anxiety makes it worse, so I manage the stress that bothers me. I use cortizone 10 1% cream often but try not to everyday. Also petroleum jelly and Vics VaPo rub helps.

Clues as to the causes of your Mom's itching:

" However I recall as a adolescent she was once even banned from showering due to severe reaction.".

"and once a week I sponge scrub her, we might wash her hair etc."

What about the sponge?
Google it....

I have about one week exp with this with my mom, I have been just using OTC topical anti itch on the itchy spots. Well, I do -- A wipe with the washing cloth thingies, then OTC anti-itch steroid on the general area, neosporin w/lidocaine on top of the scabbed parts. They've been healing up pretty quickly in her case, but yes even healing things itch. "Don't scratch just rub" is something she knows to do awake but when she's dead asleep, she's gonna itch. >.<

im sure the morphine my mom getting for shortness of breath isnt helping with the itchies either

Cappuccino42,

I'd ask her MD for a systemic oral steroid medication to reduce her overall inflammatory response. The usual issues of adrenal suppression, brittle bones, etc., are not a key consideration in one of advanced age and this may provide her with some degree of relief. This seems to be beyond what a simple anti-histamine could manage because the itch is deep into the nerves and severe. It's impossible to remove all allergens from her environment and with so many multiple sensitivities, impossible to know where to begin.

I'm not usually a proponent of added medications, but you may want to talk with her MD and explore the use of an anti-anxiety med to reduce her need to scratch, something that has been a life-long habit and is now amplified with decreasing cognition.

Your best option is gloves. You can order most any type from A'zon and the long ones would be best and in dark colors. You can avoid the use of adhesives by attaching them to her sleeves in some manner that she'll be unable to remove. You may even have to go so far as sewing them to her sleeves and having an entire wardrobe of tops with sewn-on gloves. With her fingers covered at all times, the sores on her skin should be able to heal, with the proper anti-itch and anti-microbial medications and dressings applied.

If you can narrow down any of the ointments that seem to increase her itching and cease their use, you might be able to get her more comfortable while keeping a skin barrier in place for protection.

I hope, for you mom's sake, that this deeply-entrenched itching sensation can be relieved. It must be miserable for her and for you, while you try to get her as comfortable as possible.

Wishing you both the best.

Using too many different creams, ointments, lotions, can sometimes make rashes/sores worse. I figured that out the hard way with my scalp dermatitis. She needs updated allergy testing. The itching is probably causing much grief for her

Please take her to a dermatologist where they can do some detective work on those sores/scabs and a Geriatric Psychiatrist who can offer psych meds if this disorder is related to OCD.

To update:

Shower soap is Q.V. intensive with ceramides, have also tried Cetaphil for sensitive skin and Dermaveen for sensitive skin. All are meant to be frangnance free etc.

moisturiser has been by above brands too, most recent q.v. intensive with ceramides which is meant to help with itching.

Layndry detergent is also sensitive or baby detergent. Although at times I use radiant odour removal for heavier soiled items. However, I always use the allergy cycle and do an extra rinse afterwards. These products and tacts she was already using herself even before dementia. Mum is who got me in the habit of doing extra rinses ;)

The barrier cream I can’t guarantee is for sensitive skin but I’ve been assured previously at the chemist that if they can be used on babies, they are gentle. There’s one that was for mature skin which I stopped as I noticed it was scented.

The doctors have prescribed several ointments but most of them leave Mums skin sticky (like Vaseline) which she dislikes. There’s a couple others which I cannot recall the name at the moment but have been of no help.

Its also hard hard as Mum can no longer provide feedback or comparison. Like I can’t ask her if one feels better than the other as she can’t recall the previous.

Happy to take her to dermatologist but her dementia is advanced so hopefully they can figure it out without too much communication from mums part.

Her docotr has not expressed much interest in general. However I’m sure she’ll do a referral if I ask. I think it would be worth getting her allergies re-written for my knowledge.

she does get sores also on the sides of the incontinence wear so I think she’s also allergic to the incontinence pants (maybe the elasticity) and we use / have tried several. I’ve seen some at the chemist for highly sensitive skin but we cannot afford these as they are like $40-$50 for one pack of 8-10.
still have not found any bulk buy option in Australia!!! We are spending so much money on the incontinence wear!!
Theres a gov scheme for discount but as Mum can’t fill out the form herself and I don’t have POA, we can’t apply for it (note we are still on a long wait list for Mum to be fully assessed),.. that’s another story. We have been bounced around all over and it’s doing my head in.

I think the dermatologist is prob the best call. I write this while again telling Mum to not scratch ! And while subconsciously feeling itchy myself lol

My dialysis causes dry skin, itchy. My nephrologist prescribed daily Atarax and Gold Bond itch relief cream. No more problems. No. side effects from the Atarax.

Years ago my Dad suffered in the Summer with a rash on his arms. For years he tried everything. Then he had a heart valve problem because itching this rash caused a staff infection and the infection damaged the valve. My Dads PCP had been taking care of his heart problems and had prescribed a water pill. Now Dad had to go to a cardiac surgeon who noticed Dads rash. Dad said it came out every Summer when he worked out in his garden. Dr said...its caused by your water pill. Not suppose to go out in the Sun for long lengths of time. Need to cover up. Rash went away.

I used to use Ivory soap. It dryed my skin out to switched to Dove sensitive which caused me to itch. So I now use Olay soap. No itch, actually some dry patches have disappeared.

I like the detergent thing. Use fragrant free. My sister had to have sterle sheets. My MIL rinsed her clothes twice because my FIL complained of itching. It worked.

Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo has a numbing effect, if she is able to wash with that.

As others have mentioned, it may be an anxiety issue too. Mild anti-anxiety med could help.

It would be a good idea to take her to a dermatologist. Skin issues change as
one ages. She may need allergy testing.

I have very sensitive skin. Dermatitis and rosacea. Dove sensitive skin body wash (and their soap) is great. Vanicream is a good option too; they have a whole line of products for sensitive skin.

Make sure any lotions are labeled ‘fragrance free’ and not ‘unscented’! Unscented means that there is no real scent to it, but it likely has masking elements to cover the chemical smell
it would have otherwise. Fragrance free means NO scent, masking or otherwise, is in it.

And don’t fall for the “all natural” and “plant based” BS out there. Chemicals are not the devil and they are unavoidable! Plants can definitely be irritating. Chamomile is touted as a natural soother for skin. But it also mimics ragweed. Poison Ivy is a natural plant too but no way would I put it on my skin!

I’d be leery of witch hazel. It’s an antiseptic but also can be super irritating. My skin would burst into flames if I sprayed that on me.

Just thinking of other causes/solutions -

Might be worth changing your detergent for a hypoallergenic one - and check any other laundry products, dryer sheets etc. too. Soaps can cause a problem as well. I tend to have itchy skin at times and there can be more than one cause e.g. allergies, infections, chemical sensitivities, so different solutions are needed. I use cortisone cream which helps. Calamine lotion may help as well.

itrr - thanks for the tip about witch hazel. I will try it.

Cap, I would try witch hazel. It is cheap, a natural antibacterial and works amazingly well.

Put it in a spray bottle that will mist. Spray it on after bathing, when she starts itching, at diaper changes, whenever and as often as needed.

Keeping her nails as short as possible can help with creating sores.

My hubby gets this itchy, irritated skin during the winter, I found that rinsing his clothes an extra cycle and not using any fragrances helps, an oral allergy pill, we use generic zyrtec, 2x2xs daily (this was suggested by an allergist and spraying witch hazel, keeps him from itching. Oh, he uses an exfoliating cloth when he showers and that keeps the dead skin from being an irritant and barrier.

I hope you find something that helps. I remember well the torment my husband suffered from itching, scratching, broken skin, rinse and repeat.

This seems obvious, but have you tried a good dermatologist? I had a severe allergic reaction to a contaminated antibiotic a couple of years ago, and both hands developed what looked like a flesh-eating bacteria! Christmas eve in the ER, a total of about 7 doctors and no one could help. Finally, an excellent dermatologist prescribed an over-the-counter cream called Amlactin. The problem started to heal within a day -- like a miracle drug. It could be severe eczema. Good luck.

She needs a psychiatrist for the itching . Sounds Like anxieties . You can try some CBD Oil for stress and even a CBD Cream that's gentle from Happy Buddha hemp - they have a Nice Lavender cream .

Cappuccino42, has your Mother had a food allergy test? These test are quite simple now a days, now one only needs a blood sample.

One food could cause a mountain of issues if it is a food item that is commonly found in many prepared items. Example is wheat.