My mother has vascular dementia. Has anyone else experienced a loved one complaining of itching?

Pruritus (itching) is very common in the elderly and is due more frequently, to the skin getting thinner, more sensitive and dry. Of course, you have to make sure that there aren't insect bites too. Itching is not a sign of dementia, but since most people suffering from dementia are old, their skin is very delicate and prone to cause itching. Anxiety, boredom can simulate itching too. Scratching can start a vicious circle. Skin infection is common. What to do? If the itching is not due to a skin disease or from a systemic illness, you can assume that it is from dryness of the skin. Anything to prevent skin dryness might help (moisturizing creams, a humidifier, etc).

My husband has vascular dementia also and would constantly scratch his head and arms. His dr gave him an anti-anxiety called Trazadone and he takes 1 pill (50 mg) morning, afternoon and night and has made a huge difference.

Ask doctor to have a blood test to check for low thyroid. Itching is common with low thyroid.

My mother has vascular dimentia and complains of itching on her head every 3 days, which is when I bath her. I do make sure that her skin is well hydrated, cause she does tend to get very dry patches on her skin. Especially in the winter. As the skin ages, it has a harder time keeping hydrated. I used Renew, which I think is great. But everyone has there own ways to hydrate. Also I have to push her to drink to stay hydrated. Sheets and cloths can also dry out or irritate her sensitive aging skin. I use MelaPower that is gentle and does mot cause irritation. Again everyone has there own gentle cleaners that they choose to use.

The itching has been going on for months now. I change her soap and have tried Zyrtec and doctor even had me tried an antihistamine no luck I tried dermoplast And it’s always at night that it’s worse t

My mother went thru this for 2 years, if I recall. Insisted she had 'rashes' which nobody could see. She was horribly itchy underneath her breasts and on her upper legs/thighs, and nothing the doctor prescribed helped her one iota. It's called Senile Pruritis & the first line of treatment is antihistamines which sometimes work & sometimes do not. If you Google the term, lots of info will come up.

In the end, what worked for my mother was the can of Dermoplast I bought her at Walgreens; it has a numbing agent in it when sprayed on the skin, deadens it for a little while giving her a chance to relax and forget about the itch. There are a few sprays like this available at the drugstore that give temporary relief from itching that comes from unknown origins. It's cheaper than trying 1000 different lotions and potions and still having your mother scratching herself bloody.

One day, mom said her 'rashes' disappeared and that was the end of the entire nightmare, thank God.

Best of luck.

It's actually very common. Call the doctor today.
First of all the skin of elders is terribly fragile. Make certain you are using anti-allergen soaps on laundry and no bleach. Check the bed in case bedbugs got in somehow; they can come from contact with any upholstered chairs anywhere. After you ruled all that out, discuss with MD as there are medications for this. Also for the creams that are without perfumes, and absorbed easily into skin to keep it from being too dry.
If this is coming from the dementia it will be more difficult. Check out any new medications recently added to list, as that can be a factor. Especially any pain meds.
Sorry you are going through this. You may want a dermatologist consult.
Just do know this isn't at all unusual. I hope you come to an answer.

My husband had vascular dementia and never had that issue, but I occasionally do, and it's always just my legs. I've tried all kinds of lotion and such, but what has really helped is when I started taking either a Claritin or Zyrtec every morning(as they last 24 hours). I haven't had the issue since. You might want to try that, but please check with her doctor first. And don't give her any Benadryl as that has been proven to have ingredients in it that can cause dementia, and I can only guess also make someone with it already, worse.
Good luck.

Robinride, this time of the year the air can be very dry. Have you tried having a humidifier in her room? Target sells them in all shapes and sizes. I found I don't itch quite as much since I never got in the habit of applying lotion to those areas that itch.

Another thing, when did the itching start? Was it soon after your Mom had gotten some new medicine. Sometimes it can be the filler, binder, or coating on a pill that some people find they cannot tolerate.

Or it could be the sheets on the bed. Any new detergent or softeners being used?