How can I stop Mom from constantly picking her skin and scabs?

My mother with dementia is always doing something with her hands. She rubs lotion on the a lot, scratches here and there, and picks at them. She puts calamine lotion on "poison ivy" and scratches the top off of bumps. She fidgets with her hands all day and puts itch lotion on them. If I say anything, she'll simply say that they dry or they itch. I've not been able to get her to stop.

My mother's dermatologist told us that older people often inflict damage on their own skin by scratching at it. The only solution I can think of for someone who does this is mittens. :) It drives me crazy to watch my mother rubbing and fidgeting with her hands all day. I know how you feel. I think much of it is boredom and too much attention to self.

My aunts dr noticed a place on top of her nose that had been bleeding. She was concerned it might be skin cancer. She said to put a bandaid on it to see if it would heal. If it did fine. If not go to a dermatologist. The band aids worked. In just a few days the nose was healed. She would touch the bandaid and remember that it was there. She also gave a cortisone cream to be applied daily. Once that was gone we continued with lotions daily on her arms and legs where she had been scratching. She has an aid for a couple of hours each morning. The aid just puts some lotion in my aunts hand and has her rub her arms and legs herself wherever it itched. It has helped keep the skin moist and less likely to scab. We also push fluids and keep her nails clipped short. We also use ALL free and clear detergent to keep allergens down. It is a compulsion and I know she will continue but when there is nothing left to pick, it isn't as satisfying. Keep the band aids handy.

Mom, does have dementia also and I'm told this is all part of it. She would just take the mittens off, ask her to put lotion on, as she claims that she picking dry skin, but she's not, picking at the scabs. Thanks for your input as I do try to keep her from boredom, just would rather watch tv and read her newspapers.

I too, have plenty of the Neosporin around. Mom, is not itching at all, it's constant picking and pulling at the skin until it bleeds. Seriously, just makes me nuts. Thanks!

I mix together equal parts Organic Coconut Oil and Palmer's Cocoa Butter in a round/short plastic storage container that has a lid. I then microwave 15 seconds at a time and stir until almost melted (coconut melts entirely but not the cocoa butter). I then carefully move dish to a paper towel on shelf in refrigerator. Check periodically and stir to keep the mix together. Eventually it goes into my Aunt's drawer who has severe dementia. This cream is used regularly and always over whole body after shower. Her skin went from paper thin and bruising which caused her to pick at it to healthy. Her MD cannot believe the improvement after one year of this treatment. I rub in using light massage after her twice weekly showers and that helps the skin to also thicken. Same action as a callous forming but massage improves circulation and helps strengthen the layers of skin. I was able to get my Aunt addicted to puzzles and although she now struggles with them, it does still occupy her time so she keeps her hands busy. I use the Ravensburger 100 piece puzzles and have two set up at table at all times. I remove about 15-20 pieces from the puzzle and place them on each side closest to their spot. I prop up the box with the picture. She will work all day on these and listen to her music and then we do TV in the evenings. When she has completed one puzzle she moves to the other side of table and starts the other one. I try to check on her regularly and just pull out another 15-20 pieces from the completed one and she will go back and forth all day. I feel guilty yet it keeps her hands busy and not picking at her skin.

My mother also watches TV all day. The only thing I worry about is infection, but she always has her Neosporin handy for any cut or rub.

I just thought of one thing that can have "magic" properties with my mother -- hydrocortisone creme. I tell her the doctor says it will make the itch go away. You can get it OTC. It works best if it is doctor recommended in their minds. (Of course, it is actually doctor recommended. Dermatologist often write prescriptions for it for itchy skin. Just don't let her use it on too large an area.)

We gave my MIL a baby doll to hold and she scratches the baby's back all day.

I am 52 years old and have frontal lobe dementia; diagnosed at 50. After looking into solutions for my own cuticle and skin picking, I took the advice of one blogger and began having biweekly manicures for acrylic nails; a friend drives me and I look forward to the outing as part of my routine. It is virtually impossible for me to pick at my cuticles and skin with fake fingernails, and it's a bonus that they look great all the time. I know this is not a viable solution for everyone with dementia, but maybe something to consider for some.

I would discuss it with her doctor. With dementia, sometimes the patient gets anxious and anxiety can cause the picking, fidgeting, etc. My LO bites her nails and fingers when she's anxious. She has severe Dementia. She takes medication for anxiety and depression and it really helps her. I noticed recently, that her finger nails are growing! She used to bite them so short. Apparently, she is not stressed out now and is so content that she no longer bites her fingernails or fingers. It's such a relief.

I would see if the problem with anxiety, depression or what ever is causing her to pick and scratch could be addressed.
The scratching is a sign, symptom of an underlying problem.
The longer it continues the more of a habit it will become.