Caring for the Skin of Our Aging Population: Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is another common problem that interferes with the quality of life of aging Americans. Patients are often surprised to learn they have skin cancer, claiming they haven't been in the sun for years, however, they don't realize that it is common to have a 10-20 year delay from the time of exposure to the development of skin cancer. Another common question is “do I really need to have this examined and/or treated?” The answer is clearly "YES" as untreated cancer will continue to grow and damage nearby structures decreasing the quality of life. Furthermore, these spots can bleed and become infected and this always seems to happen at the worst time (weekends or holidays).

This leads to the next point—treatment of these cancers is also unique in this population due to underlying medical conditions and medications (like blood thinners) so it requires individuals with experience in geriatric dermatology. Specifically, less invasive methods like cryotherapy (local use of low temperatures in medical therapy or the removal of heat from a body part), curettage (the use of a small scoop to remove tissue) and desiccation (the process of extreme drying) are used in the place of aggressive surgery whenever possible. Furthermore, when surgery is performed the scope of the procedure is limited to only what is necessary.

In summary, geriatric dermatology requires a careful evaluation of all aspects of the patient and their medical history. Thus, all individuals in this population should be screened at least once per year to be sure they are not developing concerning issues. At Windsor Dermatology, our team of Board Certified dermatologists is prepared to address these issues for you and your family members. Call to make an appointment today.

Brian Robert Keegan, M.D., Ph.D, Board Certified Dermatologist - Prior to joining Windsor Dermatology, Dr. Keegan worked at the University of Miami and the Miami VA Hospital for 3 years.

Caring for the Skin of Our Aging Population: Bruising and Itching

Americans are living longer than they ever have in history, thus, the geriatric population represents one of the fastest growing segments of the population. While their skin problems are not unique, there are several cutaneous problems that are more common in this population. Specifically, bruising, itching and skin cancer are much more prevalent.

Bruising is the result of multiple issues including, thinning of the skin, changes in the skin’s architecture and usage of blood thinners. Currently, it is difficult or impossible to reverse or avoid these problems so individuals should be warned to ignore products that make outrageous claims of treatment success. In addition, they should be educated on how to treat wounds when they do develop.

Itching is another common problem that can stem from multiple issues. Common culprits include: medications, underlying medical problems and dry or irritated skin. A complete assessment will entail a review of the patient’s medical issues including lab work, a review of their medications and a complete skin exam. If one is highly suspect of underlying medical issues or medications as a cause, every effort should be made to modify these factors in an attempt to stop the itch. Next, treatment options typically involve various topical medications including: emollients, steroids and menthol. If necessary, systemic medications or photo-therapy can also be helpful although care must be taken not to generate more troublesome side effects or interactions with other critical medications.

Next we will examine the difference in treating skin cancer for this age group.

Brian Robert Keegan, M.D., Ph.D, Board Certified Dermatologist - Prior to joining Windsor Dermatology, Dr. Keegan worked at the University of Miami and the Miami VA Hospital for 3 years.