“I try to forget that I’ve got Parkinson’s and take each day as it comes, and I try to have something to look forward to.”
GILLIAN D., PWP
If you have Parkinson’s you may experience various skin problems. These are the result of an autonomic nervous system that’s not working properly.
The following are some of the more common skin problems experienced by people with PD.
With Parkinson’s, it’s common for the skin on your face to become very oily, especially on your forehead and on the sides of your nose (this is known as seborrhea). You may also notice that your eyebrows and scalp get oily too, resulting in flaky skin (dandruff).
It’s also fairly common to experience itching, redness, and chronically inflamed areas on your skin.
Here are two tips to help you deal with oily, flaky, or inflamed skin.
• To help with dandruff, try an over-the-counter shampoo that contains selenium, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, zinc, or coal tar. If your dandruff is severe, your doctor may prescribe shampoos or lotions that contain selenium, ketoconazole, or corticosteroids.
• When you wash your skin use a neutral soap, such as one made from unscented glycerin, and always wash with warm water and rinse with cold water.
Extremely dry skin can also be an issue for people with Parkinson’s. If you experience this, skin moisturizers and hair conditioners may help. If they do not, your best bet is to consult with a dermatologist.
If you notice strange purplish blotches on your legs, often with a net-like pattern and distinct borders, you may have a skin condition called livedo reticularis. These markings can be caused by blood vessel spasms, irregular blood circulation near the skin surface, or use of the drug Symmetrel (amantadine, used for treating dyskinesia). These markings sometimes stay on your body even after you stop taking the medication that caused them.
If you have pain or ulcers that accompany this condition, you should see your doctor. But otherwise, most often you will not need treatment.
Many people with Parkinson’s find that they sweat a lot. Excessive sweating is often a wearing off symptom for people whose Sinemet effectiveness fluctuates. My mom had this problem early on in her disease. She was well known in our family for wearing her bathing suit around the house because of it!
Below are some things you can do if you have problems with excessive sweating.
• Talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose of Sinemet.
• Wear lightweight clothes (cotton, or “clothes that breathe,” as Mom liked to say).
• Drink lots of water (consider carrying a water bottle around with you).
• Take lukewarm showers.
For severe cases of sweating, talk to your doctor. There are medications (e.g., propranolol) that may help.
Some people with Parkinson’s actually don’t sweat enough. This can be a medication side effect. Decreasing the dose of anticho-linergic medications—always under the supervision of your doctor—may help.
Of the skin cancer types, the one people with Parkinson’s should be most attentive to is melanoma. Studies have found that melanoma occurs more often in people with Parkinson’s, though researchers haven’t been able to agree on whether the association is real or, if it is, whether it’s caused by levodopa. Recent studies have found that the increased risk for melanoma in people with PD is not dependent on the use of levodopa.41
While all skin cancers can be dangerous if left untreated, melanoma is the most likely to metastasize, meaning its cancerous cells spread from the skin to the rest of the body.
Dopamine agonists may be prescribed for PD patients with melanoma. More research needs to be done for us to understand the link between PD and melanoma.
Early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma, is crucial. If caught early enough, most skin cancers can be easily treated. Dermatologists recommend yearly skin screenings for people without a history of skin cancer and more frequent examinations for those who have previously been diagnosed.