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Hello All, My MIL has moderate Alzheimer's. Over the past six months, we've noticed she sometimes scratches her arms to the point she cuts through skin. At times, she was even eating her scab (sorry, I know it's gross). We take her to the doctor to get ointment, and she stops scratching, but she's now at it again. A relative suggested it may be anxiety? She's in assisted living, and we see her at least 3-4 times a week. She does not seem anxious when we visit. Does anyone have experience with anxiety meds and Namenda? Any input is appreciated. I'm grateful for all who have given advice and encouragement in the past. Thank you in advance.

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She might just be bored. Are there activities? Does she participate in them? How about getting an activity apron or blanket? I made one for my mom back at that stage. A lap pet, stuffed not live, might also work as a distraction. My mom had a dog.

I also bought Lubriderm lotion and made sure to keep her skin moist...she complained she was itchy a lot at that time too. 

My mom has always been home with us so I am not sure these will work in your mom's setting but worth a try ;-)
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You can Google them. It basically is an apron with fidgit gadgets on it. I put thing like a cord with wooden thread spools, a band with plastic rings that slide, etc. I just googled activity apron for seniors and a bunch came up. I used an old apron and adapted it to hook to her wheelchair. I don't know rules in facilities. You could make it on a lap cushion too if that works better.
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My aunt does this. Nose, ears, face, arms, legs, scalp. Not all at the same time, thank goodness. We use band aids when and where appropriate. She takes them off most of the time. We use lots of lotion. I buy a tee tree oil shampoo and conditioner and body wash. She also had weepy eyes and we started giving her claritin allergy tabs to see if they would help. Helped the eyes. Not sure about the scratching. I held a mirror up and showed her that she was scratching her face. She was upset and said I don't want to do that to myself. I try to keep the house cool and she wears long sleeve shirts and I think it does help for the arms. She takes Namenda. Hasn't been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Has some sort of dementia for sure. I also try to keep her nails trimmed short and ask her to stop scratching if she does it in front of me. She has a dog that sits in her lap most of the time and I think it does help her. Haven't tried the fidget items mentioned.
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My mom "picks" at her skin also but has had the habit most of her adult life. I remember red marks on her arms when I was a kid. Recently she picked a spot on her leg and developed cellulitis. I caught it and had the nurse take a picture of it and send it to the doctor of the facility. He ordered antibiotics and it healed.
I've heard that picking is common in patients with dementia.

You can check with her doc if any of the medicines she takes could cause itching. Get rid of any "itchy" clothing made of wool or animal hair. Cotton is probably the least itchy material. You could also try to keep her in long sleeved shirts (especially with buttoned cuffs) and/or gloves.

My mom's complaint for the last year is that someone is putting "itching powder" in her clothing. No amount of explaining that there is no such thing can convince her otherwise. (Silly on my part because I know that there is no reasoning with Alzheimer's!)
I made sure that her caregiver uses Dove moisturizing body wash, only bathes her twice a week and uses moisturizing lotion after the bath. Their glands don't work too well anymore and the skin needs some lubrication.

If she doesn't seem anxious when you visit, I would think that she's not anxious at other times either. I agree with the lap cushions/blankets above. It gives them something to "figit" with. (Button buttons, zip zippers, finger different textures, open pockets, play with the fringe, etc.
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My Mom scratched her arms so much the skin started to thicken. Sometimes it signaled beginning of UTI. But as she continued to do it We addressed it with Gery psych he prescribed low does seroquel it made her sleepy at first but after a few days she adjusted and her arms have been clear.
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My mom started with a picking disorder at about 80, looking back there were also early symptoms of dementia we didn't pick up on. She went to several psychiatrists to treat this obsessive compulsive disorder. We tried many drugs, some worked for a short time, most not at all. About a year ago she went under hospice care. They took her off several meds and put her on new ones for pain relief. One med they put her on was methadone. She came off hospice after 3 months, having improved and was no longer picking and we were able to get her palliative care who continued the methadone. She recently broke her other hip and can no longer walk and needs the care of a skilled nursing home. The NH doctor refused to continue the methadone although it had really helped with her chronic back pain. She started picking again. She is back on hospice care and on methadone and her picking has been reduced again. I don't know if this will help you or anyone but it really worked for my mom, watching her pick was really stressful for me as well. I do know the medical community, outside of hospice, is not a big fan of methadone, but is has really helped my Mom.
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My Mom has dementia and she has started scratching the top of her hands between her thumb and index finger. I'm sure it's a combination of nerves and boredom. She's developing these rough, raised discoloration spots as a result.
When we recently went to the neurologist I pointed it out, so hopefully she will have a plan of attack.
If I see Mom scratching I ask her to stop, but I didn't consider getting any lotion, because she lives in memory care and I don't think she would remember to apply it. I could ask them to remind her...
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My DH had a rash and scratched all the time. I only learned this year that it was most likely a yeast infection and we should have been giving him something to help combat the yeast. The VA supplied an anti-yeast soap but I found 1/2 benedryl did a better job to stop the scratching and the rash. (you need the tablets to halve them, really cheap at Sam's Club)

Now he's on a 30-Billion Probiotic and Candida Support and I was actually able to stop the Benydryl! This cleared up the Candida (yeast) overgrowth in his gut and his appetite improved immensely!

Online I saw a picture of Yeast infection on the torso and it was the same spotted rash he had a couple of years back.

You can try the Benedryl as this is only an antihistamine and won't hurt her. But it can make her extremely drowsy, this is why I only gave half morning & night.

Always tell the primary physician about any medications, even allergy.
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It sounds like dry skin & can develope into a scratching habit - make sure she is drinking enough fluids & has a high strength moisturizer - don't use run of mill but ask your pharmisist for a recommendation ... possibly a Rx from dr. -

We use a Rx ointment for first aid that has a small amount of local anestetic in it - there are also anti-itch Rx but tend to make the person sleepy but good at night so they don't scratch in their sleep
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Dad will be 97. In a NH with end stage Dementia. Very anxious, but instead of picking or scratching, he purse lip breathes and has tremors. His right eye also closes. The pursed lip breathing worries me. He continuously breathes in and out very quickly. I'm afraid he will hyperventilate. This has been happening more often lately, more since his communication is diminished. The Psychiatrist prescribed a medication to be given every 4 to 6 hours as needed. As of last night it hadn't really kicked in yet. You just never know what symptoms they will present with. Next week could be something completely different. Bless us all!
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