Pruritic skin diseases in the elderly.

A total of 149 elderly men and women with pruritic skin problems were selected for study at the dermatological clinic in the Department of Medicine, Rajavithi General Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, from 26 November 1996 to 10 January 1997. There were 62 men (41.6%) and 87 women (58.4%). The average age was seventy years. Among these elderly patients, pruritic skin disease was the most common problem, found in about 41%. Xerosis (senile pruritus) was the most common problem at 38.9%. Other pruritic skin diseases found were inflammatory eczema (22.8%), lichen simplex chronicus (12.1%), skin infections (11.4%), psoriasis vulgaris (6.7%), urticaria (4.7%), drug rash (2%), insect bite (0.7%), and anogenital pruritus (0.7%). Xerosis usually occurred with increased bathing frequency and use of strong soaps and detergents. The causes of inflammatory eczema were seborrheic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, dyshidrosis, and stasis dermatitis. Statistical analysis of xerosis and inflammatory eczema by gender showed no difference, but there was more inflammatory eczema among females.