Skip to content
Science — Dementia — Health-and-wellness — Skin-care — Medical-conditions — Mental-health — Alzheimers-disease

Alzheimer's Patients and Compulsive Skin Picking: Strategies and Remedies

Compulsively picking at the skin can cause relatives to perceive the surrounding area as unhygienic and not conducive to good health. Here's how to stop Alzheimer's patients from indulging in this nagging habit:

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Compulsive skin picking may cause family members to perceive an Alzheimer's patient as unclean and...
Compulsive skin picking may cause family members to perceive an Alzheimer's patient as unclean and unwell. Here are some strategies to prevent these patients from engaging in skin picking habits:

Alzheimer's Patients and Compulsive Skin Picking: Strategies and Remedies

Skin picking in seniors, often associated with Alzheimer's or dementia, can be a tricky thing to handle. However, it's essential to understand that it's not a symptom of Alzheimer's itself, but one of many possibilities for the elderly population to harm themselves.

Before we dive into solutions, let's discuss a few basics:

  • Table of contents:
  • Ways to stop skin picking in seniors with Alzheimer's
  • Herbal remedies for healing picked skin
  • Causes of skin picking in seniors
  • Conclusion

Ways to stop skin picking in seniors with Alzheimer's

Give them a pair of gloves

If your loved one uses their nails to scratch and pick their skin, consider gelling them a pair of gloves. This simple change can help break the habit and encourage conscious living. Plus, when they feel like picking, they'll be reminded, making it easier to break the cycle.

Keep their nails trimmed

Overgrown nails, especially if they're sharp, can make it difficult to stop the occasional pick. Make sure to keep their nails trimmed and filed to discourage its occurrence. Be prepared for a bit of frustration as they'll have excess energy without the released through skin picking.

To help manage this, introduce stress-relieving activities like using a stress ball or rubbing a fidget spinner. Engaging in these activities can help keep their mind and hands occupied.

Teach them to play video games

Distracting their mind with a fun game can be an excellent way to tackle skin picking. Consider gifting them a handheld game console or downloading simple games on their smartphone to help keep their focus on something other than their nails.

Herbal remedies for healing picked skin

Do you have a senior loved one dealing with skin picking from Alzheimer's or dementia? Here are some easy-to-apply home solutions for a speedy recovery:

  1. Turmeric - Turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can be found in most grocery stores. To use, create a paste using turmeric and water and apply it to the affected areas. Please be warned, turmeric stains easily, so protect surfaces or clothing as needed.
  2. Aloe vera gel - Aloe vera has long been used as a healing home remedy for skin conditions. Ready-to-apply aloe vera gels are available online or in drug stores, making it easier than ever to use.
  3. Garlic oil - Known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, garlic oil can be applied to non-sensitive areas, such as the back, thighs, legs, and hands, to aid in healing.
  4. Over-the-counter creams - If needed, consider using an over-the-counter cream like Aquaphor or Neosporin, both effective at fighting bacteria and promoting healing.

Causes of skin picking in seniors

  1. Obsessive-compulsive disorder - OCD can drive individuals to perform repetitive tasks, even when they don't want to. If your loved one has OCD along with Alzheimer's, it's possible their skin picking behavior stems from this underlying condition.
  2. Mindless activity - As Alzheimer's progresses, individuals may experience increased agitation and seek ways to keep themselves mentally stimulated. Skin picking can be an unhealthy outlet for this boredom or restlessness.
  3. Self-harm - Emotional pain can lead some individuals to seek ways to deal with their feelings. Skin picking might be a coping mechanism to release frustration or relieve anxiety.

Conclusion:

Addressing the root causes of skin picking in seniors with Alzheimer's isn't just about finding ways to stop the behavior. Instead, consider focusing on understanding the underlying reasons behind their actions and find alternatives to keep their minds and hands active in positive, healthy ways. While this guide offers some guidance, every individual and situation is unique, so it's essential to tailor your approach to your loved one's specific needs.

  • Despite skin picking in seniors being associated with Alzheimer's or dementia, it's not a symptom of Alzheimer's itself but a potential sign of mental-health issues in the elderly population.
  • Science and medical-conditions experts suggest that factors like obsessive-compulsive disorder, mindless activity, or self-harm could drive skin-picking behavior in seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia.
  • To address this issue, strategies like giving them gloves, keeping their nails trimmed, teaching them to play video games, and utilizing herbal remedies for healing picked skin can help reduce the incidence of skin picking and promote overall health-and-wellness.
  • Research and approaches to managing neurological-disorders like Alzheimer's and dementia are continually evolving, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the latest findings on mental-health and skin-care solutions for seniors.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest