Awareness of the psychosocial aspects of dermatological care in the community

Through caring for older adults in the community, nurses will encounter various dermatological conditions, as the skin becomes thinner, drier and more delicate with age, growing more prone to tearing, damage and various skin conditions. Being the largest organ, as well as being external, the skin is vulnerable, and the importance of proper care for this part of the body cannot be underestimated. Furthermore, issues associated with the skin, such as various types of dermatitis, may manifest in red, scaly or blotchy skin, itching (pruritis) and potential tissue drainage of exudate. These are often associated with significant psychological impact to a person's self-esteem, body image and sexuality.

There are many inflammatory skin conditions, which vary in aetiology. Some common manifestations include pruritis, erythema, scaling, vesicles and lichenification, where there is chronic inflammation (British Medical Journal (BMJ), 2018; Palmer, 2020). While it can be occasionally difficult to differentiate between conditions, as they may present in a similar way, each has distinct signs and symptoms of its own.