For Rosacea Awareness Month, it’s important for caregivers to know how to help their elderly loved ones in treating the condition and bringing them as much comfort as possible.
If your elderly loved one has been diagnosed with rosacea by a doctor or dermatologist, there are plenty of things that you can do to provide comfort and assist in the treatment of the condition. Learning about rosacea and what to do and not to do is the best way to reduce the symptoms, boost the quality of elderly care, and keep the senior happier and healthier.
Rosacea Symptoms
The symptoms of rosacea vary, and they may not be present in every case. Generally, seniors with rosacea experience a flushing and redness around the center of the face—the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. In some cases, the redness extends to the neck, chest and ears. The red areas may feel warm to touch, and the senior may complain of a burning sensation. Swelling of the face is common with rosacea, as is the appearance of small pinkish bumps called papules.
Rosacea can also affect an elderly person’s eyes, causing the lids to swell and they may become sensitive to light. In serious cases, the skin around the nose and cheeks can toughen up and appear thick and rubbery. The condition is most commonly found in women with fair skin, but it can appear in males or females of any skin color. While no cause has yet been determined, and therefore no cure, it’s possible to minimize or eliminate symptoms with proper care.
Helping a Senior With Rosacea Treatments
When an elderly loved one has been diagnosed with rosacea, there are a few things that you can do to make them more comfortable and to help them with treatments, especially if they need help with grooming and hygiene. With consistent treatment as directed by a dermatologist, the senior can be more comfortable and reduce the appearance of rosacea symptoms.
Here are just a few things you may do to help treat seniors with rosacea as part of an overall elderly care plan:
- Apply the proper topical medications to the red areas. Usually, these come in gel or cream form and must be applied regularly to keep symptoms under control.
- Remind the senior to take any oral antibiotics they have been prescribed.
- Help the senior avoid some common triggers for flair-ups that may include spicy food, alcohol, sun exposure and stress.
- Pressing or patting the skin with a cool cloth to the face may relieve some of the burning sensation but avoid rubbing or scrubbing.
- Avoid applying over the counter lotions, face creams or moisturizers on the affected skin because this can increase the burning sensation and aggravate the condition.
- Never pop the pustules like a pimple as this can lead to more pain and possible infection.
- If the dermatologist has recommended laser therapy or light therapy, make sure the senior has transportation help from a home care aide or family member.
While rosacea isn’t a life-threatening condition it can certainly affect someone’s quality of life and
improve overall elderly care. Helping the elderly treat the symptoms of rosacea can be a big boost in how they handle the ups and downs of this common skin condition.
Source:
https://healthguides.healthgrades.com/article/what-to-do-when-rosacea-causes-pain
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME ELDERLY CARE IN SUMMERLIN, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY 702-800-4616.