scratching and digging skin

[velo70]

Hi Cralyonbay. I am in a similar position with my wife. Early onset, diagnosed about 9 months ago. She has taken to touching and rubbing her chin for long spells, usually whilst watching tele. I mention, but she is not really aware she is doing it. Dunno what the answer is. She is fortunate to have lovely skin, but it will inevitable lead to soreness, if I cant persuade her to stop. A year prior, she had a bad case of shingles in her eye/forehead area, so it may still be receding irritation from that. We are convinced the shingles brought the dreaded ADZ to the door. It is a horrible time of adjustment to our lives, like all those others on here

[carlyonbay]

My wife who has early on set dementia has for the past few months digging at her skin mainly on her arms behind her ears and lower neckline Ive tried all sorts of ways to stop her doing this but to no avail, i am putting medicated powder on the sores and bloody areas but enough's enough i must take her to see the doctor, has any else had this problem and how did you deal with it or resolve it my wife takes 10mg aricept plus a ssri any help would be appropriate
Colin

An update at last i have been successful in resolving this phase/issue with a variety of methods from anti-biotic cream, tablets, cortisone cream, encouragement, reviewing her medication, cotton gloves and discouragement. However the dementia cruelly continues to progress and i know will continue despite all my efforts and community support just on this we made a video 'Living with Dementia' in august 2011 and when i look at it now it clearly shows how my dear Andrea condition has deteriorated thanks for all your interest