Many patients with Alzheimer’s disease can scratch at themselves until they are bloody. Sometimes it is an obsessive/compulsive behavior that is hard to stop. But many times, the scratching is caused by something in the environment. Below are some tips to consider to solve this problem:
- Check your loved one over carefully to determine if there is something that is causing the itching. Maybe she has an allergy to the bath soap you are using. You should try different types of soaps. Some body washes can dry the skin. You should try soaps and body washes that have moisturizer in them.
- She also may have developed an allergy to your laundry detergent or fabric softener. You should try different detergents. Your best bet may be one that does not have scents or perfumes.
- If her face is itching, this often can be caused by the makeup she is wearing. Try to change her to a non-allergenic makeup, or see if you can get her to stop wearing it completely.
- Also consider if any face creams or cleansers are causing the issue.
- If her scalp is itching, try our No Rinse Hair Conditioner, which will help to keep her hair and scalp moist.
- Believe it or not, the culprit also could be bed bugs, which are becoming more common in the US these days. Check to see that her bed is both clean and dry.
- For a few patients, the problem could be simple dehydration. Your loved one may not remember to drink when she is thirsty. She should be getting at least two liters of water daily.
- Some of the drugs that are given to dementia patients, can cause itching as a side effect. Other drugs that are often prescribed to elderly people, such as for blood pressure or prostate problems, can cause itching too. Check the side effects list for every drug your loved one is on. If you find a drug that may cause the itching, ask her doctor if you can discontinue the drug temporarily. If that drug is the cause, maybe you can switch her to another drug.
- Some Alzheimer’s patients may develop an obsessive-compulsive problem but this is not common. Some SSRI drugs, such as sertraline, can help OCD patients.
To soothe her itching, use ointments to keep the scabs soft. Hard scabs encourage yet more scratching. Some Alzheimer’s patients will leave alone bandaids, so try covering scabs with them.
Keep in mind that many older people have fragile skin. You may not want to give her a bath every day, as this can dry the skin. Consider switching her to a quick shower, rather than a long bath (try our Aqua Shampoo Gloves to make washing her hair easier). Don’t bathe her more than three times per week. Also, keep her skin moisturized with non-allergenic lotion after every shower.
If problems persist, consider getting an appointment with a dermatologist.