Stats: 80% of adults 70+ have at least one treatable skin disease

In a study of 552 adults aged 70 to 93 years old, 80% of participants had at least one skin disease that required treatment. The most common conditions were fungal skin infections, rosacea, actinic keratosis, and eczema - and more than a third (39.1%) had three or more simultaneous skin diseases. Why does it matter, aside from appearance? Lead author Suvi-Päivikki Sinikumpu, MD, PhD, of the University Hospital of Oulu, in Finland, commented, "This research emphasizes the importance of whole-body skin evaluations in older patients. A whole body skin examination may reveal hidden skin symptoms and ensures timely diagnoses and appropriate treatment." For example, tinea pedis, found in 49% of study participants, is a known risk factor for severe bacterial infections such as cellulitis, according to the authors.