Geriatric dermatology

Abstract:

The most common medical conditions affecting older people include cardiovascular disease, diseases affecting musculoskeletal system, respiratory diseases, endocrinological diseases including obesity, malnutrition and other metabolic diseases. However, dermatology takes an importan place in aging and old age. The most of previously mentioned diseases can have clinical manifestation on the skin. Furthermore, some specific dermatological diseases occur only in adulthood, and finally, the image we have of ourselves and our own physical appearance, directly affects our health. The modern world imposes youth and beauty, which can cause psychological distress due to the common opinion that the natural process of aging is undesirable. This can lead to social isolation, withdrawal, including phobias from aging to personality change. Geriatric dermatology, dermatology of the third age or dermatology of the elderly is a part of dermatology that requires a subtle feeling and a special psychological approach in the work with a particularly sensitive population of mature patients. This branch of dermatology requires extensive knowledge in the field of internal medicine, immunology, rheumatology, oncology, but also psychology and psychiatry, as well as the need for interdisciplinary cooperation and a multidisciplinary approach to elderly patients.

Key words:
skin aging; dermatoses of the third age; aesthetic-psychological aspects