Which of the following would be a normal skin finding in an older adult?

• A. Acrochordons (skin tags) on her eyelids and neck
• B. Edema in her lower limbs
• C. Decreased hair on her upper lip and chin
• D. Thicker skin on the dorsa of her hands and forearms

Answer: (A)

As people age, the skin shows predictable changes: it becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic, and benign skin changes like skin tags become more common. Acrochordons, or skin tags, are a frequent finding in older adults and often appear where skin folds rub together, such as on the eyelids and neck; they’re harmless and common with aging. The other signs described aren’t considered normal aging changes: edema in the legs points to possible circulatory or cardiac issues; a decrease in hair on the upper lip and chin isn’t a typical aging pattern and can reflect hormonal variations; thicker skin on the backs of the hands and forearms contradicts the usual trend of aging skin, which tends to thin rather than thicken. So the normal skin finding here is skin tags on the eyelids and neck.