Geriatric Psychodermatology Approaches

Geriatric psychodermatology addresses the complex interaction between the skin and the psyche in older adults, shaped by aging-related physiological changes, multimorbidity, and psychosocial factors. Management in the geriatric population is particularly challenging due to polypharmacy, drug interactions, and the high prevalence of neurological and psychiatric comorbidities. Chronic pruritus and xerosis are among the most common dermatological complaints in older adults and often have multifactorial etiologies, including systemic diseases, inflammatory dermatoses, and psychogenic factors. Chronic itch significantly impairs quality of life and may contribute to increased morbidity. Common psychodermatological disorders in the elderly include psychogenic pruritus, lichen simplex chronicus, prurigo nodularis, delusional infestation, neurotic excoriations, and scalp dysesthesia. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating dermatological care with psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions, with careful consideration of treatment safety in older patients.