Is there such a thing as "thin skin"?
As people grow older, their skin tends to become more fragile, and they lose the nice layer of fat that lies right under the skin, which used to protect them from bumps and bruises. Regarding your mother's skin issue, it is very common for this bruising to happen as people age. The "splotches" you speak of can be worse if someone is on a blood thinner (like Aspirin, Coumadin. or Plavix), which are commonly used to prevent strokes and heart attacks in older folks. Another medication that can do this is Prednisone, which can make the skin thin and cause bruising too. You can check with her health care provider to make sure if she is taking any of these medications that they are really necessary, especially if the bruising gets severe.
All that aside, you would like to know how to protect her skin and prevent these bruises. First, make sure her environment is uncluttered, as anything she bumps into will leave a mark (as you said). Second, you can cover her arms / hands with thick, long white socks with the toes cut out (make them like a glove) so that she can wear these around the house to protect her skin. These socks are effective, as they offer some additional cushioning, and they are washable and cheap. Third, if she uses a wheelchair or furniture routinely, make sure that any sharp parts are covered to protect her skin. Lastly, about her dog- make sure the dogs nails are trimmed to keep her from getting scratched.
Thin skin in the elderly is quite a common occurrence, and Jennifer is right, it can be exacerbated by a daily aspirin, Plavix, or coumadin regimen (blood thinners) or by chronic use of prednisone for other conditions.
In addition to the loss of the fatty layer beneath the skin, one of the largest contributors to this tendency is actually chronic and lifelong accumulation of sun damage which causes breakdown of the elastic and resilient fibers of collagen and elastin in the skin's dermis layer. Additionally, these elastic fibers usually line blood vessel walls in the skin, so when sun damage accumulates, the vessel walls themselves are not as resilient, and can be more fragile, creating easy bruisability, even from no obvious known trauma.
A lot of this type of bruising (known by the nickname "senile purpura"--senile not referring to dementia, but just aging) can look scary to an outsider, but it does not mean an abnormal amount of trauma is occurring, just an abnormal response to regular everyday trauma.
In some cases, if it develops more suddenly after a blood thinner is added, the primary care physician may choose to decrease the blood thinner. Sometimes the combination of regular varicose veins in the area, and this fragile skin, can lead to more bleeding than expected. Don't be alarmed, but do call the primary physician to discuss options.
One thing to watch out for with an elderly, demented family member who may be on a blood thinner to decrease the risk of a clot, is the risk of an internal bleed that may occur due to a fall. This should also be discussed with the physician to make sure the patient is protected properly on both ends of the spectrum.
i am only 53 and my skin does the same thing. doctor says "some people just do that". i moved to florida from arizona 9 years ago. my skin never did this in arizona.
I have the same problem with my arms, only below the elbows and the bruising or red spots last for weeks. I was raised in Florida in the sun continuously. I have just recently found Copper Peptide Serum and Emu oil and it works so good it is amazing. I was playing with my boyfriends dog and she won!! I knew the marks were going to last forever and I would have to wear long sleeves with the weather just getting warm but I tried the copper peptide and emu oil and could see a difference the next day. The horrible marks totally gone in a week not months. It it amazing stuff. I now use to every day to see if it will thicken the skin.
Glass2beads, now that you have been using Copper Peptide Serum and Emu oil have you noticed a difference? I have the same problem, mainly on on my fore arms as you, I can barely tap something and I get at least purpora and or tear my skin. It all really stated years ago after being on chemo and then tamxifen for 5 years, I am not back on chemo, my doctor has ran tones of blood test but does not find a reason for it. I believe that all the treatment I have has prematurely aged my skin, it appears like an 80 year olds skin at time, I am 51. Any help that you have had that you can share would be appreciated. Millieme
I may have a good answer for you. I also have very thin skin on my forearms and hands which bruises extremely easily. Being very upset that I constantly had to hide my arms with long sleeves, I researched "treatments to thicken skin", and I found that COQ10 seems to be a key ingedient. So I bought Avalon Organics COQ10 Ultimate Firming Body Lotion at CVS for $17. I've been applying it after my daily shower for about 3 months now - and very surprisingly, I think this lotion works. I haven't had one scrape or bruise the entire time. Yes, it's somewhat pricey, but after three months, I haven't used up the entire 8 ounce bottle. I think you should give it a try!
Millieme - I have used the Copper Peptide and Emu Oil for several months now and to be totally honest have not seen a huge difference. What I have found to be the best so far is AmLactin Moisturizing Body Cream. You can get it at any drug store. It has alpha hydroxy in it which makes the red marks disappear really fast but doesnt seem to help with building up the skin.
glass2beads - Alpha hydroxy is a very effective exfoliant for shedding the top layer of dry skin and revealing new healthier skin. But - is an exfoliant a good idea for thin skin? I'm thinking I need to thicken my skin, not make it thinner. As I said previously, I researched ingredients in lotions which would increase skin cell growth. The three I found were CO-Q10, copper peptides, and Vitamin C. The Avalon COQ10 cream I was using is expensive, so now I've switched to Nivea Skin Firming Moisturizer with Q10 ($10.50 at CVS). I have now gone four months with no new bruises - this is completely unusual for me! Hope this info is helpful---
I'm 62 & I also have the same problem,Thank you for sharing your stories, I will have to try these products myself,will let you know my results.thank you again Joyce4705
I'm 68 years old and started taking Plavix (one daily) about 8 years ago and almost immediately my arms bruised all over from the elbow down. I brought this to my internist's attention and he suggested that I start taking the Plavix every other day. What a difference. It was slow but they disappeared within a few months if I remember correctly. I still get real bruises, but nothing that I would interpret as being caused by Plavis. It's so much better. Ask your doctor.
I have this too and I'm 58, a far cry from 80! I am self conscious too and try to be so careful. My Dad had thin skin too in his early 50s. Wish I wouldn't have thrown away ny son's soccer socks, but I know I can still buy a new pair. Just worried this condition means something else.
YES I HAVE READ IT ALL AND WILL TRY SOME OF THESE LOTIONS I'M 58 LOOK 40 ( AND MY ARMS WITH THE BRUISES WHICH DIFFER FROM WEEK TO WEEK TO MED. TO SO BAD I LOOK LIKE A DALMATIAN WITH RED SPOTS ) SO LIKE I SAID LOOK 40 AND THESE DARN THINGS MAKE ME LOOK TERRIBLE OH SO VAIN AM I. WELL THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INPUT.
I am trying the Avalon COQ10, and have only been using it for a few days. I believe this stuff is going to work, because I already see a difference in my arms and hands. I am 56 yrs old, and have been dealing with this problem for a couple of years. As each year goes by it has gotten worse. I feel so fortunate as to have found this web-site. Thank you Cindyh for letting us know about Avalon COQ10!! At this point, I don't care how much it costs, as long as it works!!! And so far it seems to be making a change. Good luck to everyone that has this problem. I know how embarrasing it is to go out in the world with bruised hands and arms!
All this has been very helpful to me as well. I am only 53 and have had this very same condition for the last couple years. I am going to try all the above suggestions b/c so far, all I've done is live with it! I did go to Ulta and purchase some of the cover up make up for such things like this.(and rosea, tatoos...all of which I do not have) This has been very helpful in social situations where I need to wear short sleeves and not worry about it showing!Plus, it covers it rather nicely while it is healing. Mine only takes about a week to disappear, but by then, I've already hurt my skin and have another "red blotch" starting! I highly recommend DERMABLEND Professional Cover Cream. 1 oz. from Ulta. The price? Who cares as long as it covers? Not that bad though.$18?
Also, just this weekend, we were babysitting a puppy Bulldog..and, yep, you guessed it..now my arms have red blothes on them (from the elbow down only) from little bites and scratches. My husband bow hunts and wears protective gear to protect his forearms from the strings on the bow when he releases, he is going to Google tonight some bow hunting protective gear for my little forarms!I bet you can also go to Acadamy, Bass Pro, etc.
~ There are times I know what I am doing is a risk, and this will be a perfect time to try this protective wear out! Working out with weights last week, I left the gym only to see the rope I was pulling over my head w/weights on it must have rubbed my forearms, and left markes!~ So, this is a perfect example as to WHEN to wear this protective gear..plus playing with our pets! I will post back once I get them and have had a chance to try them out! I am really excited to have something to protect my forearms, as to try out your suggestions as well! Thank you all!
fyi...at times I have to be on Prendisone for Colitus. This is the only thing that is related to this condition, as far as drugs that I have taken...but, I really don't have to take Prednisone that often? I wonder if it has broken down the skin from the times I have been on it and it never repaired? Any thoughts?
I have had this condition since I was 51 (now 55). It only occurs from the elbows down to my hands. I barely bump into something and the skin not only gets the red bruises, but tears and bleeds and bleeds. People think I am being abused! LOL I am also on Humira self administered shots (previously was on Enbrel). Does anyone know if this can be a side effect? Can't really find anything definitive on Humira sites.
Hi everyone! I certainly can relate to this problem myself. I have my own organic Skincare company and many of my customers have had rounds of chemotherapy and radiation or have had long term sun damage-especially on the forearms. Unfortunately many of the drugstore products simply don't contain enough "actives" ( the ingredients that do the "heavy lifting") to make a difference. Skin does "thin" as we age especially if we do not build collagen. So, what to do? First, do start protecting your skin today. That means with both clothing like gloves if you are cleaning or working in the garden and long sleeves if you can tolerate them. Nike makes some terrific super thin shirts that breath but provide coverage and, thus, protection. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (or AHAs) exfoliates the skin and encourages the growth of collagen. But this is a LONG process-at least until you can actually see a change. Personally, I make sure that I am using a pH of 5-5.5 in all of my products. Why? That's the pH of skin. Anything above or below will cause over drying and you'll get tiny cracks and fine lines. So wash with a neutral pH cleanser and be certain to use a moisturizer several times each day. I like products with grape seed and/or jojoba oil. They absorb well because the molecules are smaller. You won't end up with that greasy feeling on the skin. Many drugstore products contain petroleum by-products. Personally I don't like them but most dermatologists would argue that there is nothing wrong with them. I happen to think they don't absorb well at all or require alcohol as an ingredient so the product does not feel like Crisco. And while we're on the topic of alcohol, do not use alcohol containing products on your skin. I am talking about rubbing alcohol. When you see different types of "alcohols" on the ingredient list, they have a different purpose and do not have the same drying effect. And finally, keep drinking water. Dehydration is visible on the skin. You may not need eight glasses but you're not a camel, either. Visit my site at www.circa60skincareinc.com where you can email me directly!
I just bought some Nivea Skin Firming Moisturizer with Q10 at WalMart for $8.47... they also have their generic brand Equate for $4.97..I'll be trying it and if it works I'll come back with a report.
can we say MEN O PAUSE !!!!
This is a genetic skin disorder that jumps out around the time of menopause and when men's hormones are out of whack too.
During this stage of life, most of us have horrible migraines, headaches and constant head pressure. Relief comes in the form of Excedrin, Imitrex, etc. making the skin even worse. I prefer relief from head pain. I am on bio-identical hormones which have helped diminished the migraines and hot flashes but not the thin skin.....bummer.
I am 56 and am covered head to toe with black blood blisters. I too use the Q-10 lotions and they do moisturize the skin so it can heal faster.....yeah instead of a month, now a couple of weeks or more, depending on the size of the tear or bruise.
The ONLY make-up that works for me is CM Leg Magic. It is waterproof and doesn't smear on your clothes. It lasts a long time. I use two shades to mix together to match my skin, and use a Q-tip to mix with and apply, then tap all around with your finger to blend in with surrounding area. It will last you about a year if you use it daily. The tube is large.
I am single and it's a bit embarrassing. They look at me like I have leprosy or something. But, I dun care, am happy as ME !
Love and happy covering chillinjoan
I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THE THIN SKIN RED BLOTCHES FOR A LONG TIME..I HAVE DONE A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND CQ10 IS VERY GOOD FOR THE SKIN AND COLLOGIN .
SO I CUT THE END OFF OF A Q10 CAPSUAL AND RUB IT INTO THE BLOTCH..AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE BLOTCH GETS YELLOW IN THE MIDDLE AND IN A FEW MORE DAYS IT GOES AWAY ALTOGETHER..I ALSO RUB SOME VIT E OIL ALL OVER AND THAT HELPS EVEN MORE..TOM
