Evaluation and management of pruritus and scabies in the elderly population

Pruritus is the most common dermatologic complaint in individuals older than 65 years. The elderly comprise a demographic that seeks medical attention for itch with greater frequency than other age groups. Managing pruritus in elderly patients represents a unique therapeutic challenge attributable to a range of circumstances that are of particular importance in this population. Topical steroid therapy must be administered carefully, and other forms of treatment, including phototherapy, may be difficult to maintain. The challenge of treating pruritus in the elderly might also stem from communication barriers that prevent definitive identification of the itch's underlying etiology or severity.