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Parasitic skin infections in the elderly: recognition and drug treatment.

There are many parasitic infections of medical importance, which can produce both systemic disease as well as skin lesions. For the most part, treatment of these infections in the elderly does not differ very much from that of younger patients. However, one must be aware that the geriatric populatio...

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Published in:Drugs & Aging Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 165 - 177
Main Authors: Tan H, Goh C
Format: pictorial review Journal Article
Published: Springer Nature 2001
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: 2001
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      pub: Springer Nature
      place: New York, New York
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        atl: Parasitic skin infections in the elderly: recognition and drug treatment.
      aug:
        au:
          Tan H
          Goh C
        affil: National Skin Centre, Singapore
      sug:
        subj:
          Antiparasitic Agents Therapeutic Use
          Parasitic Diseases Diagnosis
          Skin Diseases Drug Therapy
          Age Factors
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Arthropods
          Leishmaniasis Diagnosis
          Leishmaniasis Drug Therapy
          Malathion Therapeutic Use
          Lice Infestations Diagnosis
          Lice Infestations Drug Therapy
          Protozoa
          Scabies Diagnosis
          Scabies Drug Therapy
          Singapore
          Sulfur Therapeutic Use
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
      ab: There are many parasitic infections of medical importance, which can produce both systemic disease as well as skin lesions. For the most part, treatment of these infections in the elderly does not differ very much from that of younger patients. However, one must be aware that the geriatric population can present with certain challenges with regard to diagnosis of these diseases because history taking may be more difficult and patients often already have a set of other medical problems, which may overshadow the skin lesions. In addition, the clinical manifestations of these infections may not appear classical and may be altered. Dosages of drugs used to treat these infections, even topical agents, may require adjustments in this population. The recognition of scabies in elderly people living together is important and early treatment with topical scabiecides, including oral ivermectin, will help to control the spread of the infestation. Pediculosis may be a cause of pruritus in the elderly and can be treated with malathione, lindane or permethrin. Less common parasitic infections in the elderly, including cutaneous larva migrans and cutaneous leishmaniasis, present with a characteristic clinical picture and can be effectively treated with oral thiabendazole and intravenous antimonials.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        review
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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