My mother is 83 with dementia and incontinence. She been complaining about itching. I tried allergy medications and lotions nothing to help no rashes. It's always worse at night
People who are incontinent often suffer from terrible itching, rashes, and all kinds of skin issues even when they are kept immaculately clean. I've had care clients who were always changed immediately and were kept very clean who literally developed diaper rash like a baby from being in diapers 24 hours a day. Skin fungus too. Sometimes different foods can make a person itch also. Take your mom to her doctor.
hello Robinride, I read what you posted. Good news is, that there is actually a shot that her Physician can give her that last 30 days for itching. I have found that Benadryl not only helps with itching but is also a sleep aide. Benadryl has antihistamine in it, if 1 Benadryl doesn't work for the itching, then try 2 Benadryl. I crossed that bridge, and i learned that a person can only take up to 2000 mg of Antihistamine with in a 24-hour period of time. You also need to contact the Pharmacist where your mom's prescriptions are filled. Ask the Pharmacist if it would be safe for your mom to take Benadryl for the itching? If 1 Benadryl isn't working, ask her pharmacist, can i try giving her 2 Benadryl at night for the itching? Also, you may want to contact a Dermatologist, make a appointment, your mom will thank you. The Dermatologist may find the cause of the itching and treat it, sometimes it takes a prescribed medicine/cream to treat a condition. I hope this helps you, and remember to always take care of you. Have a wonderful day.
You really don't want to give Benadryl to anyone after the age of 60, as it's been proven that the active ingredients in it have been linked to causing dementia. So I would caution against it and certainly talk to her doctor before adding any new medications.
This is known as Geriatric Senile Pruritus, the itching, and there isn't always a reason for it other than ordinary dry skin. My mother (with dementia) had a terrible case of it early on in her dementia; she'd insist she had a horrible rash under her breasts and on her thighs. Nobody could see this rash, however, but she insisted it was there. The only thing we didn't try was snake oil to get rid of this constant itching; the doctor prescribed Benadryl lotion, Benadryl pills, you name it, she prescribed it...........and NOTHING worked! I went out and bought her a bunch of things myself but the best product of all was something called Dermoplast spray. It has Benzocaine in it so it NUMBS the area that itches so voila, she'd get temporary relief at least. You can buy this spray (and others like it) at the drugstore or Walmart pharmacy. After about 2 years, these 'rashes' miraculously went away, thankfully.
I've had care clients who were always changed immediately and were kept very clean who literally developed diaper rash like a baby from being in diapers 24 hours a day. Skin fungus too.
Sometimes different foods can make a person itch also. Take your mom to her doctor.
I crossed that bridge, and i learned that a person can only take up to 2000 mg of Antihistamine with in a 24-hour period of time. You also need to contact the Pharmacist where your mom's prescriptions are filled. Ask the Pharmacist if it would be safe for your mom to take Benadryl for the itching? If 1 Benadryl isn't
working, ask her pharmacist, can i try giving her 2 Benadryl at night for the itching?
Also, you may want to contact a Dermatologist, make a appointment, your mom will thank you. The Dermatologist may find the cause of the itching and treat it, sometimes it takes a prescribed medicine/cream to treat a condition.
I hope this helps you, and remember to always take care of you. Have a wonderful day.
Here's a link to the subject of pruritis:
https://www.google.com/search?q=geriatric+senile+pruritus&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS896US896&sxsrf=AOaemvIC-R9XPg4YbsKjQ4UwLRFOqOkY_Q%3A1641253025838&ei=oYjTYaTJMoTRtQa_m7SoDw&oq=geriatric+prur&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYATIFCAAQgAQyBggAEBYQHjIFCAAQhgMyBQgAEIYDMgUIABCGAzoECCMQJzoFCAAQkQI6BAgAEEM6CgguEMcBENEDEEM6EAguELEDEIMBEMcBENEDEEM6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOggIABCABBCxAzoLCC4QxwEQrwEQkQI6BwgAELEDEEM6BwguELEDEEM6CAguEIAEELEDOgoIABCxAxCDARBDOgsILhCABBDHARCvAToICAAQgAQQyQM6BQgAEJIDOgUILhCABEoECEEYAEoECEYYAFAAWKAXYPk6aABwAngAgAGHAogB1Q6SAQYwLjEyLjKYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz
Good luck with a difficult situation; you have my condolences :(