Advanced Age Pruritus

Abstract

Chronic itch is a common and debilitating symptom in the elderly. Skin xerosis, immunosenescence, and neuropathic changes are common causes of itch in the elderly. Cuta- neous diseases, systemic conditions, and psy- chogenic disorders can also increase and augment an elderly patient’s itch. Determining the cause of itch can be difficult, and, in some cases, elderly pruritus is idiopathic. Treatments should address the changes in the skin that are specific to aging, in addition to treating under- lying cutaneous, systemic, or psychogenic itch-inducing conditions. Treatment can include topical medications, systemic medica- tions, and psychological treatments. Appropri- ate treatment can be determined by understanding the pathophysiology of itch in the