Blog How to Prevent skin infection in Older Adults

Skin infection is a common problem among older adults. This is because they are more prone to skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis due to loss of elasticity and dryness over time.

There is a stronger belief that many age-related changes in the skin, such as fatty tissue, can lead to increased susceptibility to skin infections or other health issues. In this respect, changes that may occur due to aging include thinning of the epidermis, loss of elasticity, and increased melanin production. Aging also affects our immune system, making it harder to fight off bacteria and fungi that can cause infections.

The changing lifestyle of older adults has also made them more prone to skin infections due to the increased use of technology, increasing the risk of contact with harmful bacteria and fungi.

What is a Skin Infection? 

Skin infections are a group of diseases that affect the skin, hair, and nails. There are many skin infections, but the most common types include acne, impetigo, cellulitis, and folliculitis.

Moreover, Skin infections are a common ailment. Several things, including cuts, scrapes, bacteria, and viruses can cause them. Allergies can also cause it to certain types of materials or substances, like nickel or copper.

In addition, skin infection is an infection that affects the skin and its underlying tissues, which may cause redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, or pain in the affected area.

How to prevent skin infection?

The most common way to prevent a skin infection is by washing your hands frequently, wearing closed-toe shoes, and avoiding contact with people with conditions. It is also important to know the signs and symptoms of skin infection to get it treated on time.

You must also remember those skin infections is a common health issue that can be prevented using the right skincare products. And indeed, healthy skin is essential for a healthy body and mind. A healthy diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise help maintain healthy skin.

Cleansing your skin with soap and water and then applying an anti-bacterial lotion on the skin may also help avoid the infection in the first place by wearing appropriate clothes, using sunscreen, and avoiding contact with infected people.

Lastly, take care of any existing infections using over-the-counter and prescription medications if necessary. Dermatologists or a general physician may help you with these. 

What are the Most Common Types of Skin Infections in Older Adults?

Skin infections are common in older adults and can be severe if not treated. The most common type of skin infection in older adults is cellulitis, a bacterial infection that can spread quickly through the bloodstream. This type of infection typically affects the lower extremities and the rest of the body.

Another type is impetigo, a type of skin infection that causes blisters. Moreover, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is another most common skin infection in older adults. This type of infection occurs when bacteria enter the deepest layers of the skin through a break or wound. And cause the skin to become red, warm, tender, and painful. It is characterized by a water-soaked erythematous scab surrounded by an area of normal skin color and crusting.

If you want a faster healing process for your wounds, using a dressing and changing it frequently might help. Furthermore, using Allevyn dressing change often is one of the most effective methods to eliminate the infection you have immediately.

Treating Skin Infections

Several different types of bacteria cause skin infections. The most common types of skin infections are impetigo and cellulitis. Treating these skin infections is tricky and requires you to use different antibiotics and topical remedies. You can also use over-the-counter medications such as Mepilex Dressing Foam to help maintain a moist environment for your wounds. It also provides thermal insulation, and the dressings are easy to remove and won’t cause any trauma. 

Both Allevyn and Mepilex Dressing foams are available on Sky Medical Supplies. The latter is also recognized as a leading online retailer of medical supplies in Denver, including surgical masks, sterile gloves, etc. They offer some of the best prices in the industry and have a great selection.

They also have a section on their website dedicated to treating skin infections. It also provides information about preventing and curing the condition, which helps customers look for answers on the topic.

Moreover, if you are looking for some extensive methods to treat your skin infections, the following are some of the many things you can do to speed up the healing process of your wound. 

First, you must know that applying an antibiotic cream or ointment to the affected area is important. You may also put on a clean bandage over the infected area and avoid scratching or picking at the wound, which can worsen the infection. Most importantly, keep your fingernails short and clean all the time. 

Self-Care for an Aging Body as Prevention for Skin Infections

Skin infections can also result from poor hygiene, damaged skin, or an underlying health condition. Self-care for older adult skin infection prevention is important because it helps maintain healthy skin and prevent future problems. This includes taking care of your diet, exercising regularly, and using specifically designed products for your age group.

But it is undeniable that as we age, our skin becomes more fragile and prone to breakouts. We must take care of it by using self-care products, such as creams, masks, cleansers, moisturizers, serums, etc.

You must still remember that aging is a natural process that everyone has to go through. The only thing that will set you apart from people is how you will take care of your skin to avoid skin infections. 

You can drink a lot of water – remember that the water your body needs every day differs if you are a male or a female. Doing your due diligence to research this is a must. Moreover, you can also exfoliate your skin with natural remedies such as lemon juice. Using sunscreen daily and avoiding the sun between 2 PM and 4 PM will also help you. Sky medical supplies provide various skin wound management options, including broader foam dressing and post-operative Tegaderm transparent films. We also carry a post-op MEDLINE dressing.