Cutaneous Mycoses in the Elderly
September 1998
in “
Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
”
TLDR Skin fungal infections are more common in older adults due to factors like obesity, poor circulation, reduced mobility, and weakened immune defenses from certain medications.
In the document from 1998, Isaak Effendy reviews factors that contribute to the prevalence of cutaneous mycoses in the elderly, noting that obesity, circulatory disorders, confinement to bed, and altered personal hygiene are common predisposing factors. Additionally, treatments with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and cytostatics, which are often administered to the elderly, can weaken host defenses and allow fungal organisms to invade the skin or mucous membranes. The review emphasizes the importance of diagnostic and treatment strategies tailored to the clinical features of cutaneous mycoses and calls for increased attention to the prevention of these infections due to the growing population of elderly individuals.
