Lifestyle Medicine for Chronic Pruritus and Xerosis in Older Adults: A Six-Pillar Narrative Review for Preventive Clinical Practice
Keywords:
lifestyle medicine, chronic pruritus, xerosis, older adults, preventive medicineAbstract
Introduction: Chronic pruritus and xerosis are common dermatological conditions among older adults that negatively affect sleep, psychological well-being, quality of life, and self-care capacity. Although pharmacological treatment and topical moisturizers remain the standard of care, preventive lifestyle interventions are less commonly integrated into routine clinical practice.
Objective: To review and synthesize evidence on chronic pruritus and xerosis in older adults through the six-pillar lifestyle medicine framework and propose an adjunctive approach for preventive clinical practice.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted using literature searched from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ThaiJO. Studies related to chronic pruritus, xerosis, aging skin, older adults, and lifestyle medicine published between 2014 and 2026 were prioritized.
Results: Evidence suggests that all six pillars of lifestyle medicine—nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection—are associated with key pathophysiological mechanisms underlying chronic pruritus and xerosis, including age-related skin deterioration, skin barrier dysfunction, neuroimmune dysregulation, and the itch–scratch–sleep cycle.
Conclusions: The lifestyle medicine framework may support clinicians in geriatric, primary care, and preventive medicine settings in providing structured lifestyle assessment and counseling as an adjunct to standard dermatological care for older adults with chronic pruritus and xerosis.
Keywords: lifestyle medicine, chronic pruritus, xerosis, older adults, preventive medicine
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