Any Ideas for scratchers??

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Hi all, I had a question I am kind of dealing with and wondered if you had run acrossed this and could help me out with ideas to handle it.

I am a Home Care CNA, and I have a Client that constantly scratches and digs his skin. He has scratches and dig marks all over him. He has dementia, so it is no good to try to reason with him to stop. It is getting so bad that they hurt when I bath him. Is there any tricks that help other then getting mittens or sox on his hands? I don't think the family would approve of it.

Also is there anything that works really well at perhaps making his skin less itchy, and that will heal the scratches. We have tryed all kinds of creams, bag balm, different aloes which just a few nights ago I put some on and he said it was burning or stinging. So I had to wash that off of them.

The family does not like to see his skin in such bad condition, and I am not sure what to suggest anymore.

Thank You

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Specializes in LTC.

Suggest to the family to have him seen by a dermatologist. I have see this a lot in residents who have dementia and wondered my self if its a reaction from one of the meds or is it behavioral.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

What kind of soaps, personal bath and laundry, are being used??? Maybe a problem there? I'm guessing you probably started weeding out these as possible causes. Best thing I ever saw used for the 'itchies' was UNPERFUMED oatmeal or glycerine soaps.

Just my suggestion...

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we bath him with dove which were told was good for elderly skin. he's been on it for over a year at least and it only has been in the last two months that he has been this bad. not sure on the laundry since the wife does al of that.

I think to see a derm. is a good idea. At least to rule anything out. I think it is behavior, but I don't know for sure

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

Trim and file his nails as low as you can get them without hurting him. Gloves work also, but can be uncomfortable and sometimes are considered a restraint if he can't get them off himself. Agree with derm consult. Can also try to cover up the bad scratches or put him in clothes that are hard to maneuver through.

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Specializes in kids.

There are also gel protective sleeves that can be used fo rthe arms art least. Iwould be concerned of some kind of parasite or infection. Derm consult or maybe a skin/wound care specialist.

of course now I want to scratch.....:android:

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Specializes in Assisted Living nursing, LTC/SNF nursing.

There can be many things wrong. Liver failure, allergic reaction, medication, soaps, etc. A trip to the doctor is in order, then maybe a dermatologist. Have you informed his HH nurse about this?

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Specializes in retired LTC.
There can be many things wrong. Liver failure, allergic reaction, medication, soaps, etc. A trip to the doctor is in order, then maybe a dermatologist. Have you informed his HH nurse about this?
Good point! Made me think of renal impairment - I remember some of my old dialysis pts itching - the old 'renal frost' skin condition came to mind.

To OP - seriously, try the oatmeal soap/oatmeal bath. A company called Aveeno puts it out. I've used it personally for sunburn & rashes - it does help and it's a relatively inexpensive intervention pending other posters' good recommendations, esp re dermatology.

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