Skin picking is a common behavior seen in people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. If you’ve noticed your father with dementia picking at his skin, there are several potential reasons for this:
Itchiness and discomfort: As people age, their skin becomes thinner and drier, which can cause itching. Your father may be picking at his skin in response to feeling itchy or uncomfortable.
Cognitive changes: Dementia affects the brain’s ability to process sensations and control impulses. Your father may not realize he’s picking at his skin or may have difficulty stopping the behavior once he starts.
Anxiety or agitation: Skin picking can be a way of coping with feelings of anxiety, stress, or agitation that are common in dementia.
Boredom or understimulation: Sometimes, skin picking develops as a repetitive behavior to fill time or provide sensory input when a person is bored or understimulated.
Hallucinations: In some cases, people with dementia may experience tactile hallucinations – feeling sensations on their skin that aren’t really there – leading them to pick at the area.
Underlying skin conditions: Your father may have a skin condition causing irritation that he’s responding to by picking.
Medication side effects: Some medications can cause itching or skin changes as side effects.
To help manage this behavior:
Keep your father’s skin moisturized to reduce itching.
Gently redirect his attention when you notice him picking.
Provide engaging activities to keep his hands busy.
Consider having him wear soft gloves or keeping his nails trimmed short.
Consult with his doctor to rule out any underlying skin conditions or adjust medications if needed.
Remember, skin picking in dementia is usually not intentional. Approach the situation with patience and compassion. If the behavior is causing significant skin damage or distress, work with your father’s healthcare team to develop a tailored management plan.
