Medical Encyclopedia

Itching is extremely common among elderly people. It is usually related to dry skin. Senile pruritus is a condition in which an itching sensation is present all over the body. The causes of its production and continuation lie in the dry skin and aging as well as heredity, climate and personal hygiene.

As usual, ageing skin shows some changes which are clinically reflected in the form of thinning, roughening and decrease in vital function which the cutaneous system performs for the body.

When the pruritus occurs all the cutaneous system may be affected. Since there is no specific receptor for the sensation of itching all the cutaneous network of nerve endings is involved. There is no exact answer why senile pruritus develops but it is clearly associated with the aging process characterized by the decline of hormonal levels and sluggish circulation because of the arteriosclerotic changes in the vessels. Dryness of the skin is also the result of reduced activity of sweat and sebaceous glands together with the lack of hydration of the horny layer. Dry skin lacks lipid, has an increased water loss and will easily crack. Affected dry skin looks pale and feels rough. In case the pruritus is provoked by an unhealthy epidermis it becomes worse in cold weather and in winter months when the humidity is low.

For the treatment of senile pruritus doctors apply to antihistamines and corticosteroids, both topical and systemic. Recently Geriforte has been used for the treatment of senile pruritus. The indigenous herbal drug has proved to be of much effect and treats the skin disorder with excellent results. It has a stimulating property which causes improvement in the hormonal levels. Geriforte also shows an appreciable improvement in the vital function with a better digestion regulation, mental alertness and duration of uninterrupted sleep. The drug does not alter the total hormone content but it increases the free fraction which, on its part, mitigates some effects of the lowered hormones in the body without putting an undue stress on the endocrine system. Moreover, the preparation brings about regenerating activity in the epidermal cells and circulating status of the skin which is very decreased when skin ageing develops.

The body responses well to Geriforte without any side effects and no recurrence of itching symptoms after six months of taking the drug. Its use should be continued till there is subjective improvement in the symptoms like diminution or disappearance of itching, an improved sensation of well-being and a restoration of normal sleep.