My Mom is 89 and has a leaky heart valve that she has been on different heart medicines for. Right now she is on Eliquis and Prednisone. Is there anything she can do to stop itching?
I agree that you should start with asking about her meds. Is her skin just itchy or does she also have hives?
"Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of prednisone including: - severe allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of your lips/face/tongue)" (source: https://www.rxlist.com/prednisone-side-effects-drug-center.htm)
love2parents, I agree with what GardenArtist had written about laundry products and dryer sheets. Even bath soaps can be drying.
Question.... when did your Mom first started the itching? Did this start not to long after she started to taking her meds for the leaky heart valve? If yes, check with her doctor.
This past winter I found it to be an extremely itchy one. It's the dry air and hot baths. Does your Mom wear flannel gowns or pj's at night? Flannel can dry out your skin. I had to toss out all my flannel. Are the bed sheets flannel? If yes, change over to cotton.
Does Mom bathe daily or every other day? If yes, cut back, bathes can dry out the skin. See if you can find a lotion that your Mom likes. If the skin is cracked, I found O'Keeffe's is great. That stuff really does work :)
FF, good advice and insights on flannel. Decades ago, flannel used to be made from cotton. Last I checked it has other non natural components as well, probably some polyester as that seems literally to be everywhere. And it's not comfortable.
In fact your post reminds me that I've been itchy the last few days, and now I think it's the pseudo flannel.
Perhaps it's good that China and our delegation are insulting each other; perhaps that will hold off imports of Chinese "cloth" for a while.
In addition to all the good suggestions, ReallyReal raises a good question about laundry additives. I quit using fabric softener and dryer sheets years ago after reading of the chemicals in the sheets. I rarely used softener as for years I hung clothing outdoors and let the wind soften the fabrics and scent them naturally.
Your profile indicates that your parents are living at home. Do you have humidifiers, either on the furnace, or stand alone units in the rooms where your mother typically spends her time? Dry air can cause dry skin and scratching.
If you don't have a hygrometer, you might want to get one; it shows the relative humidity in the room in which it's placed.
Also, if she's wearing clothing that's not as pure cotton as possible, there could be fibers in the clothing causing a reaction, although I don't know if the itching and presumably rashes could spread to uncovered skin.
You might also consider seeing a doctor specializing in skin disorders.
Does your mother use any creams? Years ago I abandoned store bought creams and switched to those made by a woman who created and successfully expanded her herbal care business. The creams I use are all natural, some of them with herbs she grows in her own garden.
Despite all that, I still find that sometimes my feet, ankles and lips become dry. In my last order from my herbalist, I ordered 4 tubes of her homemade, natural orange lip balm and mint balm. They're wonder for keeping lips moist.
And I use a lotion made with mint for my itchy legs. It's very soothing, to my skin and my mind.
Is she experiencing another bout of Shingles? I would consult her doctor inform them that this is happening. You can contact the pharmacist and ask if any medications she is currently taking might be the cause. You might also ask what products might help. Typical products that help with itching, like Benadryl have side effects and you should check before giving. Topicals like Cortisone might help but again check.
"Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of prednisone including:
- severe allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of your lips/face/tongue)" (source: https://www.rxlist.com/prednisone-side-effects-drug-center.htm)
Question.... when did your Mom first started the itching? Did this start not to long after she started to taking her meds for the leaky heart valve? If yes, check with her doctor.
This past winter I found it to be an extremely itchy one. It's the dry air and hot baths. Does your Mom wear flannel gowns or pj's at night? Flannel can dry out your skin. I had to toss out all my flannel. Are the bed sheets flannel? If yes, change over to cotton.
Does Mom bathe daily or every other day? If yes, cut back, bathes can dry out the skin. See if you can find a lotion that your Mom likes. If the skin is cracked, I found O'Keeffe's is great. That stuff really does work :)
In fact your post reminds me that I've been itchy the last few days, and now I think it's the pseudo flannel.
Perhaps it's good that China and our delegation are insulting each other; perhaps that will hold off imports of Chinese "cloth" for a while.
Check with the doctor.
It could be undiagnosed Hepatitis C.
Your profile indicates that your parents are living at home. Do you have humidifiers, either on the furnace, or stand alone units in the rooms where your mother typically spends her time? Dry air can cause dry skin and scratching.
If you don't have a hygrometer, you might want to get one; it shows the relative humidity in the room in which it's placed.
Also, if she's wearing clothing that's not as pure cotton as possible, there could be fibers in the clothing causing a reaction, although I don't know if the itching and presumably rashes could spread to uncovered skin.
You might also consider seeing a doctor specializing in skin disorders.
Does your mother use any creams? Years ago I abandoned store bought creams and switched to those made by a woman who created and successfully expanded her herbal care business. The creams I use are all natural, some of them with herbs she grows in her own garden.
Despite all that, I still find that sometimes my feet, ankles and lips become dry. In my last order from my herbalist, I ordered 4 tubes of her homemade, natural orange lip balm and mint balm. They're wonder for keeping lips moist.
And I use a lotion made with mint for my itchy legs. It's very soothing, to my skin and my mind.
Severe itching, especially at night could be scabies. Is she in a facility?
Sometimes scabies goes through areas with lots of people.
It’s intense itching. If it is scabies you will need to see a doctor for a prescription to eradicate the situation.
Best of luck to you.
I would consult her doctor inform them that this is happening.
You can contact the pharmacist and ask if any medications she is currently taking might be the cause.
You might also ask what products might help. Typical products that help with itching, like Benadryl have side effects and you should check before giving. Topicals like Cortisone might help but again check.
I would start there and then change the laundry detergent and fabric softener to see if that helps.
If she is able, a nice warm bath with oatmeal can help sooth her skin and then apply an oatmeal based lotion while she is still dewy from the bath.
Best of luck finding a solution, being itchy is no fun.