“ASK THE DOCTOR” with Dr. Rebecca Gilbert
Q. I am in my late 80s, and I think I have Parkinson’s disease. At my age, should I bother going to a neurologist to see if I actually have PD?
Yes! If you do have PD, there may be medications that you can take to allow you to move better, be more active, and feel better! The medications may help protect you from falling as well, which is vital to keeping you as healthy as possible. Also, you can find comfort and camaraderie in support groups and benefit from other programs such as exercise classes and educational webinars.
Q. I have itchy, flaky skin on my face and eyebrows. Is this related to my Parkinson’s disease?
What you are describing could be seborrheic dermatitis. It is a common skin condition in the general population, and it’s even more commonly found in people with PD. It causes patches of scaly red skin and dandruff, primarily on the scalp and the oily parts of the face such as the sides of the nose. In PD, it is thought to be caused by oversecretion of oils from the sebaceous glands in the skin. In much the same way that dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (the nerves that control automatic body functions) causes non-motor symptoms in PD such as blood pressure dysregulation and urinary abnormalities, autonomic dysfunction of the nerves that control the oil glands of the face can cause seborrheic dermatitis.
Seborrheic dermatitis usually can be controlled with lifestyle changes or topical creams. Wash your skin regularly and avoid harsh soaps and products that contain alcohol. If the condition does not clear up, an over-the-counter mild corticosteroid cream may help. If these simple changes are not effective, consult with a dermatologist who may want you to try a prescription cream.
Q. I suffer from extreme hot periods with excessive sweating that typically occur in the evenings. Do you have any suggestions to help?
Excessive sweating can be a non-motor symptom of PD. Moisture-wicking sheets, pajamas, clothing, and socks are available, which are made of materials that absorb more water and dry faster than standard fabrics. These can be very helpful for some people with excessive sweating. Remember to also stay hydrated, avoid sweat triggers such as spicy foods, and take cool or lukewarm showers. Be sure to let your doctor know if this is a new symptom for you as there can be other causes of excessive sweating that may need to be investigated.
Dr. Rebecca Gilbert is the Chief Scientific Officer at APDA. She oversees APDA’s research portfolio in conjunction with APDA’s Scientific Advisory Board. She also provides medical and clinical expertise to support APDA programming as well as print and web content.