title: A clinical look at the aging skin.
abstract: The aging Caucasian skin becomes yellow, dry, wrinkled and inelastic. Deterioration increases its susceptibility to malignant neoplasms, pruritus, and candidal infection. In addition, psychosomatic problems vascular disease, "little strokes," and chronic malnutrition may precipitate or exacerbate skin disorders in the elderly. Treatment with "strong" medications should be taboo because of the fragility of senile skin. The risk of toxic reactions or of allergic sensitization is great. Because healing is retarded in old tissue, time is an indispensable component of successful treatment.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000209:etiology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000209:etiology