ABSTRACT
The two basic theories of aging are the programmatic theory which postulates aging genes, cellular senescence, telemere shortening and failure of apoptosis and longevity genes, and the stochastic theory of oxidative stress, amino acid racemization, and nonenzymatic glycosylation. There is also the possibility of decremental failure of the immune system. Skin change is affected by two phenomena: true aging due to the passage of time, and photoaging resulting from exposure to the sun. Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by flaking of the scalp and dry, red, scaly skin of the face, trunk and anogenital region. Prurigo nodularis may present as an abnormality of the sensory nerve innervation of the skin. Skin infections of the elderly can be bacterial, fungal or viral. Squamous cell carcinoma favors fair-skinned individuals, is more common in men, occurs on areas that have been exposed to the sun and usually arises from an actinic keratosis or Bowen’s disease.
