Mahaska Health Partnership Educates on Aging Skin

Mahaska Health Partnership

Mahaska Health Partnership

MAHASKA COUNTY – Throughout life, your skin goes through a number of changes. Family Nurse Practitioner Tonya Johannes, ARNP-BC, who provides primary care at Mahaska Health Partnership, shares some of the common skin conditions you may develop and how to treat them.

“There are many factors that play a role in the condition of your skin as you progress through life,” Johannes explained. “Exposure to sun, genetics, diet and other habits such as smoking can greatly affect how your skin ages.”

Damage from ultraviolet (UV) light, which is most commonly found in sunlight, is one of the major causes of skin damage. “The UV light breaks down the elasticity of skin, which can cause sagging, wrinkles and sun spots. Overexposure can also cause skin cancer. This is one of the many reasons why taking the proper precautions in the sun is so important!”

According to Johannes, some other common skin changes people see with age include rough or dry skin, benign growths, loose skin around the eyes, cheeks and jaw, bruising and thin skin. “It’s normal for skin to change as you age, but there are steps you can take to lessen the severity or treat these changes.”

One of the most common skin changes people see is wrinkles. “While sun exposure is usually a major cause of wrinkles, other factors can play a role,” Johannes shared. “Protect your skin by avoiding smoking, staying well-hydrated, using moisturizer and wearing protective clothing and sunscreen when outside.”

Another common skin issue adults face is thinning or fragile skin. “Genetics, aging, prolonged sun exposure and some medications can lead to thinning skin,” Johannes said. “Make sure to take extra precautions when working outside; wear long sleeves, pants and wide-brimmed hats, along with sunscreen to keep thinning skin from being damaged further. Gloves are also a good idea when working outside to keep from tearing fragile skin.”

Dry, flaky skin is another common skin issue seen in adults. “As we age, it’s common for skin to become dry,” Johannes said. “The main cause is the loss of oil glands. While this is usually a minor symptom that can be corrected by regularly moisturizing with lotion, severe cases may require additional help.”

Johannes explained that some people develop actinic keratosis, a rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by years of sun exposure. “Actinic keratosis is most commonly found on the face, lips, ears, arms, hands, head and neck. There are usually no symptoms other than a small spot on your skin that takes years to develop. However, they can be troublesome to get rid of.

“These spots can sometimes be cancerous, so it’s important to get them checked,” Johannes urged. “There are prescription creams and lotions available to help, but more medical intervention is often necessary to completely remove them. Freezing with liquid nitrogen is usually an effective way to remove these spots.”

Johannes went on to encourage safe sun habits to protect your skin throughout your lifetime. “Many skin conditions develop as we age thanks to exposure to sun and unprotected, vulnerable skin. Start young and help your kiddos develop safe sun habits to protect them for many years to come!”

Family Nurse Practitioner Tonya Johannes, ARNP-BC, has a passion for education. Through learning, teaching future nurses and educating her patients, Johannes enjoys sharing knowledge and problem solving. She has a special interest in skin treatments and provides primary care to patients age six months and older at the MHP Medical Group. For an appointment with Tonya Johannes, call 641.672.3360.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.

Posted by on Apr 22 2016. Filed under Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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