Dermatology for the Elderly: An Indian Perspective

January 2011 in “ Clinics in Dermatology ”

Shyam Verma

TLDR The paper concludes that elderly in India face unique skin challenges and need better dermatological care and awareness.

In 2011, the paper discussed the unique dermatological challenges faced by the elderly in India, where over 7% of the population was elderly, making it an aging country. The paper highlighted the influence of social, economic, and cultural factors on dermatologic care, with pigmentary disorders and conditions like xerosis, pruritus, and dermatitis being common. It noted that photoaging in Indians was less due to darker skin providing more protection against UV radiation, and while cosmetic dermatology was on the rise, cutaneous cancers were often missed. The elderly experienced marginalization and inadequate care, with many depending on home remedies or general practitioners. Unique conditions such as senescent actinic depigmentation of the scalp and "yoga sign" were described, along with the high prevalence of leprosy and diabetes leading to trophic ulcers and diabetic foot. The paper called for better awareness, screening for malignancies, and more intensive training in wound healing, and mentioned efforts to integrate traditional Indian medicine with modern practices for conditions like lymphedema associated with lymphatic filariasis.

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