What causes skin fragility in elderly?

What causes skin fragility in elderly?

Fragile or thin skin that tears easily is a common problem in older adults. Aging, sun exposure and genetics all play a role in thinning skin. Certain medications, such as long-term use of oral or topical corticosteroids, also can weaken the skin and blood vessels in the skin.

How do I stop my skin from thinning when aging?

Preventing thin skin

1. Apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, every day, to all skin not covered by clothing.
2. Avoid tanning and tanning beds.
3. Quit smoking.
4. Eat a well-balanced diet.
5. Drink less alcohol, which is very dehydrating.

What is the cause of the thinning and wrinkling of aging human skin?

Ultraviolet radiation, which speeds the natural aging process, is the primary cause of early wrinkling. Exposure to UV light breaks down your skin’s connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin (dermis).

What medical conditions cause thin skin?

Gottron syndrome is an extremely rare inherited disorder characterized by a premature aged appearance (progeroid), especially in the form of unusually fragile, thin skin on the hands and feet (distal extremities).

What does thin skin mean?

Definition of thin skin : a tendency to get easily upset or offended by the things other people say or do He has such a thin skin that he can’t even take a little good-natured teasing.

How do you stop old skin from bruising?

Wear long pants and sleeves and protective clothing to help minimize bruising. Moisturize the skin to prevent it from getting dry, which makes it more prone to breaking open. Use a sunscreen with an SPF greater than 30.

What helps with skin tears in elderly?

Treatment

1. Wash your hands.
2. Control the bleeding.
3. Gently clean the wound with warm clean water.
4. Gently pat dry with a clean towel.
5. If a skin flap is still attached, try to replace it by gently rolling the skin back over the wound.
6. Cover the wound with a clean, non-stick pad.

Why does an older person bruise so easily?

According to the Mayo Clinic, skin becomes thinner with age, resulting in a smaller barrier between skin and the blood vessels that burst to cause bruising. Skin also loses some of its fatty layer as the body ages, and this fatty layer cushions blood vessels, allowing them to absorb impact rather than burst.

What causes thinning of the skin in older adults?

It’s a common problem in older adults. As you advance in years, the layers of your skin simply thin and become more fragile. However, there are a number of other factors affecting the skin’s thickness. Even disorders and medications can contribute to a thinning of the skin.

Why is my skin so fragile?

As collagen and elastin levels diminish, the skin thins, making it much more fragile. Another potential cause of thin, fragile skin is corticosteroids. Both oral and topical corticosteroids can cause the epidermis to atrophy, leading to easy bruising and tearing of the skin.

What causes thinning of the epidermis?

Another potential cause of thin, fragile skin is corticosteroids. Both oral and topical corticosteroids can cause the epidermis to atrophy, leading to easy bruising and tearing of the skin. Short-term use of corticosteroids doesn’t pose this problem.

What does it mean when your skin is thin?

Thin skin is a result of thinning of the outermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis. It is most common in older adults and is most visible on the face, arms, and hands. A person with thin skin may find that they are able to see the veins, tendons, bones, and capillaries under the skin of their hands and arms.