Recommendations for managing cutaneous disorders associated with advancing age

Introduction

According to the United Nation’s World Population Ageing Report, adults over the age of 60 will outnumber younger people by 2050¹ and in Europe alone, more than 20% of the population will be over 65 years by 2025.² As this population advances in age, many of them will be living with chronic diseases, reduced autonomy, polypathology, and polymedication, which health professionals should consider when managing dermatological problems. As governments encourage the growing trend in Europe to promote aged care in the community, appropriate care from dermatologists, general practitioners, and allied health workers will become increasingly important.³

Previously, skin research was focused on improving aesthetic problems and preventing the signs of premature aging. Nowadays, research is turning toward the dermatological problems associated with the loss of cutaneous functions with age. These problems are due to structural and functional changes, driven by an intrinsic, genetically-programmed process, and further aggravated by environmental factors, including lifestyle, sun, and pollution exposure.⁴

As cell renewal slows, the skin becomes increasingly vulnerable to external factors. The physical and chemical barrier function declines, and cutaneous permeability increases.⁵ Also, thermoregulatory, neurosensory, and immune functions decline.⁶

The consequences of cutaneous aging are particularly relevant in geriatric dermatology. As the skin progressively loses integrity, xerosis occurs, skin folds form, and wound healing is impaired. In the elderly, moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) and wound exacerbation are a significant challenge for both elderly people and their carers.⁷

Most often, nurses manage skin care in the elderly. However, until recently, this role has been considered basic, and so little attention was paid to developing appropriate, evidence-based, skincare protocols. Unsurprisingly, hygiene practices vary widely among care providers and within institutions,⁸ and are performed according to habit rather than science.⁹ Furthermore, skincare activities are often delegated to less experienced staff who are insufficiently trained.¹⁰ However, as the cost of nursing care required to manage these problems is rising, skin breakdown incidents are being used as reporting measures of nursing quality in the UK. Cosmetic use in dermatology has been established over time to protect, restore, or maintain skin barrier function and microbial diversity. This involves appropriately using gentle cleansers, humectants, emollients, photoprotective creams, makeup, and specific wound care.

As elderly people have different skincare needs, and in the absence of evidence-based literature to describe the best skincare protocol, both health care providers and carers need appropriate advice and training. The objective of this paper is to highlight common clinical problems with aging skin and provide some appropriate advice on skincare protocols for managing them.

Methodology

This paper follows a meeting in September 2014 of a board of six European dermatologists, specialized in dermatology, cosmetology, and geriatrics. During the meeting, the board defined and discussed the key topics, in view of the literature and their clinical experience. Each author conducted a literature search in their area of expertise using PubMed, and papers were selected between 2004 and 2014. Where no recent data were available, earlier papers were explored and their conclusions discussed. The initial key words included skin barrier, emollient, skin ageing, geriatrics, well-being, incontinence associated dermatitis, MASD, skin cleansers, cosmetology, cosmetic ingredients, biophysics, and skin disease elderly, etc. Where no original research was available, references were made from review articles.

Common cutaneous disorders

Age-related skin changes often result in dermatological disorders and skin injury.¹¹ One of the most common issues for mature adults is xerosis, which is caused by diminished natural moisturizing factors, sebum, and lipid production.¹² Skin aging is often associated with pruritus.

Skin tears are a common consequence of extreme age-related frailty that some authors have begun to refer to as dermatoporosis. Most lesions occur on the forearms, caused by removing adhesive dressings or bumping into furniture. However, tears can occur from friction caused by other nursing activities such as changing stoma application or devices. There are no current treatments for dermatoporosis.

MASD describes an ensemble of skin problems that arise from barrier dysfunction caused by prolonged exposure to moisture in an occluded environment.¹³ Also, moisture contact increases the skin’s friction coefficient, increasing the risk of skin erosion and pressure ulcers. MASD is most often related to urinary-associated incontinence (incontinence-associated dermatitis [IAD]), intertrigo, ostomy leakage, and peri-wound skin, each with a specific etiology.¹⁴

IAD, also referred to as perineal dermatitis, has been reported to affect up to 50% of nursing home residents and between 10% and 35% of community-dwelling elders.⁷ Other smaller scale studies have reported that 30%–50% of people wearing absorbent pads suffer from perineal dermatitis.¹⁵ The etiology of IAD is a complex combination of skin contact with moisture and chemical irritants, such as urea, fecal proteases, lipases, and bile salts, in an occluded environment.¹⁶ Additionally, when cutaneous flora breaks down urea, skin surface pH increases, further favoring microorganism growth and dysbiosis.¹⁷ Normally, commensal organisms are allowed to colonize, causing infection and inflammation. In turn, skin permeability increases, and barrier function decreases. Making matters worse, this chemical irritation is further aggravated by friction and stratum corneum (SC) lipid loss from frequently washing the affected area.¹⁸ Additional pressure from a bed or chair contributes to skin breakdown and cutaneous erosion. Once this vicious cycle commences, it not only incurs high nursing costs but also severely reduces clinical outcomes and quality of life.^19,20 A Dutch study estimated the cost of treating pressure ulcers could range between €206.3 million and €238.1 million.²¹

Peri-stomatic dermatitis is an MASD that occurs in elderly people with existing stomas where, over time, their skin begins to wrinkle and fold around their application or device. Skin wrinkling may also be an issue for elderly patients when a new stoma is placed. These wrinkles, skin folds, or creases in the peri-stomal skin prevent the stoma adhering properly, and fluid leaks between the stoma appliance and abdominal skin, causing skin breakdown.^22,23

Intertrigo is an MASD caused by perspiration trapped in body folds resulting from skin sagging with age, increasing the number of skin folds in the inguinal region, armpits, and underside of the breasts or belly. Trapped moisture causes barrier dysfunction, inflammation, erythema, maceration, and skin weeping. Microfloral imbalance may also allow secondary infections such as Candida albicans to grow.

Peri-wound exudate also causes MASD in unprotected peri-wound areas. Moisture damage causes erythema, erosion, maceration, and skin weeping.

Unfortunately, MASD in general has been largely overlooked and, so, inappropriately managed.²⁴ The traditional soap and water wash followed by towel drying is damaging and may have a cumulative effect in disrupting skin barrier function.^25–27

Yet, the benefits of well-defined skincare protocols in managing skin disorders and preventing skin injury have been highlighted by several studies based both in Europe and North America. Bale et al reported that by introducing an educational program with a skincare protocol for elderly patients with incontinence, skin breakdown and dermatitis were prevented in their study population.²⁸ More recently, the National Health Service (NHS), Institute for Innovation and improvement (UK, 2010) launched the “Your Skin Matters” scheme, which emphasizes skin care for incontinence management.²⁹ Although further research is required to define an optimal skincare regimen, the current trend is one that enables frequent cleansing without compromising skin barrier function.³⁰

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin condition caused by the cumulative effects of long-term sun exposure that can potentially progress to nonmelanoma skin cancer. The prevalence rises to over 80% in people aged 60 to 69 years³¹ and the risk for developing AKs increases with being male (odds ratio [OR] =3.9), having fair skin (OR =2.2), a history of skin cancer (OR =4.8), irregular sunscreen use (OR =1.81), and occupational solar exposure (OR =1.7).³² Certain immunocompromised populations such as organ transplant recipients are also particularly susceptible to AKs.^33,34

Histological changes of skin barrier function loss

Barrier dysfunction

The SC and its inhabiting microbiota together provide the skin barrier function. Its effectiveness relies upon SC thickness, intracellular lipid content, and lipid organization. The effect of intrinsic aging on skin barrier function remains controversial due to the scarcity of research in this area to date and the difficulty in distinguishing between intrinsic and extrinsic influences.³⁵ However, we know that as the keratinocyte turnover slows, the keratinization and desquamation processes alter.³⁶ Keratinocyte transformation to corneocytes to form the cornified envelope is calcium-dependent and starts in the stratum granulosum. A recent study found the composition of the cornified envelope changes with age, as calcium is redistributed away from the stratum granulosum.

Also, the lipid–protein membranes and intercellular junctions between corneocytes are destroyed. Recent biophysical research has shown that although transepidermal water loss (TEWL) levels appear to remain consistent with age, skin hydration reduces. The supply of SC lipids, such as ceramide, cholesterol, free fatty acids decrease and a reduced sebaceous and sweat production further limits skin lipid supply.³⁵

Additionally, slowing cellular renewal with advancing age delays the epidermal barrier reconstruction following alterations due to irritation. This is due to decreased enzyme activity involved in lipid synthesis, a modified cytokine profile, and alterations in epidermal stem cell function.³⁷

Protective mechanical function loss

Protective mechanical function is the ability of the skin to resist bumps and friction, which is reduced with cutaneous atrophy and elasticity loss. Dermatoporosis is an emerging term, recently coined by Kaya and Saurat⁴² to describe this extreme cutaneous fragility caused by progressive, protective mechanical function loss with advancing age. The term draws its name from the resemblance to bone fragility caused by osteoporosis. It seems to be due to a loss of one main constituent of skin tissue, hyaluronic acid. However, a constant rise in spring-like small proline-rich repeat (SPRR) proteins and a decrease in flexible and insoluble loricrin (LOR) proteins have been found in aged skin, which may also contribute to this mechanical function loss.^38–40 Therefore, the skin becomes increasingly vulnerable to bumps and friction. The prevalence is uncertain, as few epidemiological studies have investigated this problem, although one French study estimated that 32% of elderly people (over 60 years) are affected.⁴¹ Severity ranges from: 1) extreme skin thinning, purpura, and pseudoscars; 2) skin lacerations resulting from minor traumas; 3) larger and more numerous skin lacerations and delayed wound healing; and 4) advanced lesions with subcutaneous bleeding, leading to dissecting hematomas and, potentially, skin necrosis.⁴²

Neurosenescence

Tactile acuity declines as the density of free or encapsulated nerve endings decreases (ie, Meissner’s, Pacini’s, or Ruffini’s corpuscles).⁴³ Pain and touch thresholds also increase, possibly due to subclinical neuropathy.⁴⁴ Senile pruritus has also been attributed to this subclinical neuropathy, although the pathogenesis remains poorly understood.^45,46

Immunosenescence

Immunosenescence or “inflammaging” is a new concept in aging research, and is gaining increasing attention. It is characterized as a low-grade inflammation that provides a background environment that allows infections and slows wound healing.⁴⁷ With age, the innate immune system becomes increasingly dominant. We currently understand that the mechanisms behind these changes include modified innate immune cell receptor activity and their downstream signaling pathways as well as changes to the numbers of various cells within the circulation, particularly decreased T-cell number and diversity.⁴⁸

There is reduced neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelium, migration and chemotactic activity, uptake and killing of microbes, and response to cytokines and Toll-like receptor (TLR) release.

An effective innate immune system is critical for skin barrier function, stimulating appropriate adaptive immune responses and determining the character of the skin microbiote.^49,50 A weakened immune system can alter the skin barrier function by changing the host microbial composition, allowing other microorganisms to penetrate through the skin and participate in the state of chronic inflammation.⁴⁷ The result of this is, for example, more frequent viral (herpes zoster), bacterial, and fungal infections seen in the elderly.

Key modulating factors of skin aging

The genetically-programmed, physiological aging process is accelerated by extrinsic biological factors. Many such factors have been identified, but the sun is well known to be the most aggressive. Some authors estimated that sun exposure was responsible for 80% of visible facial aging signs.⁵¹ Smoking also accelerates skin aging by inducing premature elastosis,⁵² increasing matrix metalloproteinases production, and breaking down collagen.^53,54 Alarmingly, a recent German study, showed air particle pollution is also an accelerator.^55,56 Other lifestyle influences such as social status and depression have been shown in twin studies to affect facial aging.⁵⁷

Cosmetics in the management of skin problems with aging

Cosmetics in the elderly are used to maintain skin integrity, improve quality of life, and help maintain a positive self-esteem. Kligman was one of the earliest dermatologists to report that wearing makeup improved self-esteem in elderly women, which has been recently reiterated following work with oncology patients.^58,59 Makeup can be used to enhance the shape of lips, cheeks, or eyelids that have changed with age.⁶⁰

Skin cleansing

Certain conditions in the elderly, such as IAD, require the skin to be cleaned more often. Implementing skincare protocols that recommend using a body wash such as syndet with a neutral pH and a skin protectant reduces the incidence of Stage I and Stage II pressure ulcers and decreases healing time.⁶¹

The literature comparing cleansers to soap and water includes some small studies and mostly clinical observation and expert panel sources. Nevertheless, compared with managing IAD wounds, cleansers have been reported to have therapeutic, practical, and economic advantages, especially when combined with an emollient.^15,27,62,63

Skin hydration

Emollient therapy for the body to manage xerosis requires both humectants and lipid content replacement.^64,65 This restores and protects cutaneous barrier function. Emollients can be composed of hydrogenated or nonhydrogenated vegetable oils, mineral oils (eg, paraffin or petroleum jelly), vegetable butters (eg, shea or cocoa), alcohols, fatty acids, and esters, triglycerides, and ceramides. Emollients with a rich concentration of skin lipids such as ceramides in a concentration of 20%–40% are preferable. Hygroscopic agents (α- and β-hydroxy acids, lactic acid, urea, glycerol) attract water to the stratum corneum.⁶⁶ Normally hydrated skin, with an intact barrier, will resist irritation from body fluids and is less likely to crack or tear. Emollients also relieve pruritus associated with xerosis and can help establish the microfloral balance.

To treat xerosis, consistent and regular moisturizer use is as important as the formulation of the moisturizer alone.⁶⁷

When treating skin xerosis in the elderly, the dry skin scaling should nearly disappear after 28 days of topical administration of the cream. Occlusive creams, that is, those containing glycerol and paraffin, seem to be more able to control the xerosis in this population. By improving skin hydration, there is a significative reduction in itching and TEWL.⁶⁸

Irritant protection

When the natural barrier function is weakened, barrier products are used to protect the skin from contact with chemical irritants such as feces, urine, or excessive exposure to water. These preparations are usually made with a lipid/water emulsion base and a metal oxide, for example, zinc or titanium,⁶⁹ or silicone-based ingredient such as dimethicone. Some recent products form a protective layer on the skin surface as a semipermeable polymer coating.¹⁰

Appropriate ingredients that promote healing include sucralfate or madecassoside.⁷⁰ To relieve irritation, panthenol⁷¹ or even mild antibacterial agents such as copper or zinc salts are effective.⁷²

Using a thin layer of barrier cream around a stoma opening has been suggested to protect and moisturize the skin without making it greasy. Barrier creams containing glycerol and silicone gel do not interfere with the pouch adhesion if used sparingly.⁷³

Daily photoprotection

Although aged skin is less sensitive to UV radiation, daily photoprotection with UVA and UVB sunscreen in people aged 40 years or older is recommended to help prevent AK and squamous cell carcinomas from developing.^34,74

In addition to lifestyle factors, physiological changes reduce the dermal capacity to produce vitamin D.⁷⁵ One recent, large, epidemiological report confirmed vitamin D deficiency to be alarmingly high (>50%) during winter and spring months in the community-dwelling, elderly population in the UK. However, providing vitamin D supplements has been shown to increase circulating 25(OH)D concentrations. Thus, to improve circulating vitamin D levels, it would be preferable to provide vitamin D supplements and maintain photoprotection when outdoors to prevent further skin damage.⁷⁶

Encourage well-being

Although physical appearance is not usually a primary concern in elderly patients, makeup, hair coloration, styling, wigs, and perfume can make them feel more positive. The human contact with beauticians can be beneficial.^59,60,77

Education

Nurses are well placed to provide appropriate cleansing, protection, and skin hydration. However, the expert panel reiterated the need to correctly recognize the condition at hand, using validated tools or instruments, particularly among dermatitis, MASD, and pressure ulcers, which are difficult to differentiate.^78,79 Although basic skincare protocols are being implemented in some countries, further research is required into the most appropriate protocol for managing IAD. Considering correct skin cleansing techniques have been shown to reduce MASD, the authors suggest that health care professionals, patients, and professionals are properly educated and prepared to manage IAD and chronic wounds.

Formulation and packaging

Caring for the elderly is often associated with high costs, reduced economic resources, and physical incapability. Slightly damaged skin may become irritated by certain ingredients, perfumes, or preservatives. Formulation chemistry ensures a careful balance between ingredients to obtain adequate efficacy, cosmetic quality, and tolerability. Packaging chosen by cosmetic manufacturers may impact the affordability and prevent the products being applied adequately. Certain products combining cleansers with emollients, such as wipes or foams, have been shown to be as effective as soap and water⁸⁰ and useful in practice, if tolerance is adequate.⁸¹

In the absence of any literature describing appropriate packaging, the board made several suggestions drawn from clinical experience and a recent market research study (Taylor Nelson Sofres, unpublished data, August, 2010). They suggest when designing packaging that the reduced physical dexterity of the elderly be considered. Packs should be easy to open, read, and handle. Additionally, packaging that is easy for elderly people to open and use may help to make reality of age-related physical decline more livable.

Discussion and expert recommendations

The evidence suggests that certain cutaneous disorders in the elderly can be managed by improving cutaneous barrier function. The expert group believes that skin care also remains an essential part of well-being and, to this end, suggest appropriate skin care, based upon the available evidence on the role of cosmetics in maintaining skin integrity (Table 1).

Table 1 Practical recommendations for the management of cutaneous disorders in the elderly Abbreviation: UV, ultra violet.

1. A gentle cleanser, ideally with an emollient, is appropriate for washing older skin. Avoid soap and water and take extreme care when washing or drying to avoid additional friction.
2. Emollient therapy containing humectants and skin lipid replacement agents is useful for managing xerosis and pruritus. Emollients also improve fragile skin (dermatoporosis). They soften brittle skin and may prevent tearing, particularly if they contain an ingredient that stimulates hyaluronic acid synthesis. Emollients containing a promicrobial ingredient can improve the immunological barrier and wound healing. If epidermal injury occurs, a healing balm could be applied to improve the re-epithelialization.
3. MASD-related problems can be prevented by implementing an optimal skincare regimen that enables frequent washing without compromising skin barrier function.
4. AKs can be prevented by continuing to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin from 40 years of age.⁸²
5. Allied health professionals and carers should be adequately educated and supported in adopting appropriate skincare protocols. Dermatologists are well placed to advise allied health professionals and carers on appropriate skincare protocols.

Conclusion

These suggestions are intended to support basic skin care in the elderly, either in the community or within aged care facilities. In this setting, the key role is to maintain skin barrier function to prevent some dermatological problems and improve the quality of life. The authors recognize that further research is required to define an optimal skincare regimen.

Acknowledgments

This paper was funded with a grant from La Roche-Posay, France. Amy Whereat from Speak the Speech Consulting provided medical writing assistance for this article.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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