Hydrotherapy with using citrate buffer system in treatment of senile xerosis

Abstract

Senile xerosis is one of the most common pathology in elderly patients. The article presents an overview of current knowledge on the subject of skin barrier function and pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical features of senile xerosis. The corneotherapeutic approach to treatment of senile xerosis is substantiated and the effectiveness of emollients for baths was justified. The pH of water various sources (tap and artesian water) has alkaline values, which leads to an increase in dry skin and worsening clinical symptoms of xerosis. The effectiveness of bath emollients was investigated. The analysis of the adsorption properties of bath emollients was conducted which showed that these properties depend on pH of water. Hydrotherapy with using the citrate buffer system increases the efficiency of treatment. 60 women, aged 75-84 years, diagnosed with senile xerosis were treated with hydrotherapy containing citrate buffer system, bath emollient (shower oil). A clinical assessment was performed at the beginning and end of the study by a dermatologist using the Overall Dry Skin Scale (ODS) and Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI). Hydrotherapy with using a citrate buffer system provided a significant softening of the skin, elimination of scaling, remission of pruritus and more rapid clinical effect.