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momveronica Asked July 2022

My 82-year-old mother with late-stage Alzheimer's is scratching all of her body. Any ideas?

She started to scratch her body and I thought she had some kind of allergy since her skin was red and had irritation bumps.
I applied ointments for itchy skin, gave her benadryl and placed cold ice pack on her red skin when she was scratching vigorously until she fell asleep at 12:30 am. But when she woke up in the morning, her body was back to normal and showed no sign of irritation until she started to scratch her body again. She only scratched few times since she woke up, but I am afraid she might start to scratching again soon.
She takes a shower 3 times a week and I always apply plenty of body cream on her. Nothing has changed with her routine.
What should I do?

momveronica Aug 2022
I just wanted to update on my mother's scratching problem.
We saw her doctor and blood test came out all OK. Doctor told us that it is very common for elderly to have a scratching problem due to dry skin and recommended to apply good moisturizer everyday.
I applied Cetaphil Cream every night and made sure she drinks enough fluids.
I have been using a goat milk soap instead of her usual body shampoo.
I even had humidifier on several hours a day.
Within 2 days she stopped scratching. I do not have humidifier on anymore but she is doing well so far.
Thank you all for your kind replies and I am so glad that I am able to post a good news.

venting Jul 2022
Scratching = very likely a side-effect of one of her medicines. Check her medicines; see if you can get rid of the cause of the scratching.

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danieljukebox Jul 2022
If you can, give her a washcloth or squeeze ball. There's also a variety of hand gloves you can get but if you can it's best to keep your mom able to have her hands free. I've found these helpful: https://www.amazon.com/Dementia-Hospital-Restraints-Restraint-Protector/dp/B07RWWZFMT

lealonnie1 Jul 2022
Scratching/itching, aka senile pruritis, is very common with elders and especially with elders who suffer from Alzheimers/dementia. My mother had various 'rashes' on her body that only she could see or feel that lasted for 2 YEARS, believe it or not. "Rashes" that were under both breasts and on her upper thighs between her legs. Her doctors tried every lotion, potion, ointment and remedy known to man, but nothing worked. She was even given a placebo at one point to see if a 'pill' would help her feel more relaxed about these 'rashes'. It didn't. So one day I had the bright idea to go to Walgreens and buy her a can of Dermoplast which is a benzocaine based spray.......it deadens the skin where it's sprayed. That did the trick, by the grace of God. The 'rashes' finally cleared up when she sprayed them with Dermoplast. Finally. Never to return again, put out the flag.

You can get other products with benzocaine in them too that come in spray cans. Go to the drugstore and look around, or ask the pharmacist what s/he recommends.

GOOD LUCK and Godspeed. I feel your pain.
momveronica Jul 2022
Thank you for sharing your experience and recommendation.
I will check it out and hope it works for my mom.
cxmoody Jul 2022
Have you spoke to her health care team about this? What do they say?

Here’s a link to some hand mitts, if you think they might help:

Wisexplorer 2 PCS Packed Hand Restraint Glove for Elderly, Safety and Breathable Dementia Anti Scratch Mitts for Patients, Great Help for Patients and Caregivers(1 pair packed):

https://a.co/d/dvag3Nr

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