Skin Tears: Causes, Treatment and Prevention
Skin tears are acute wounds when skin is torn off from the body due to traumatic force. They generally affect people with weakened, fragile skin, particularly newborns and senior citizens. While they heal over time, improper care or neglect can complicate the wound and turn it into a complex wound that takes longer to heal. Skin tears can happen in any part of the body but commonly affect the arms and hands.
Types of Skin Tears
Established in 2011, the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) introduced a new classification system for skin tears, dividing them into three distinct types.
Type 1
This type appears as a linear or flap tear that can be adjusted to cover the entire wound. Type I skin tears typically require proper dressing to cover the wound completely to allow it to heal, but some medical care is ideal to ensure it heals properly. If the skin flap appears pale, blue, or purple, seek prompt medical attention, as it usually denotes that the wound will not heal well.
Type 2
Type 2 skin tears are characterised by partial skin loss where the skin flap cannot completely cover the wound. As a result, there may be poorer recovery outcomes, and medical attention is required to treat the wound.
Type 3
This type of skin tear has no skin flap and only an open wound bed, and it takes the longest time to heal.
Risk Factors of Skin Tears
Several risk factors can increase your likelihood of getting a skin tear. These include:
● Dry skin: This risk factor can stem from multiple factors, including hot and humid weather, using harsh soaps to clean your body, skin conditions like eczema, and excessively scrubbing your skin.
● Age: Ageing significantly affects skin health. As we age, our blood vessels transport less nutrients and moisture to our skin tissues, gradually thinning and weakening over time. The essential proteins elastin and collagen, which are responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and structure, also gradually decrease the older we get, which also causes our skin to thin.
● Side effects: Certain medications may elevate the risk of skin conditions, such as increased skin dryness.
● Cognitive impairment: Persons with dementia or other cognitive disorders can accidentally hurt themselves when they panic or become agitated.
How to Treat Skin Tears
The main goals of treatment are to prevent the risk of infection and protect the surrounding tissue from further injury. Once treatment is complete, they will teach you how to do it independently once you are discharged. You generally will not need to be warded unless it is a type 3 skin tear that may have complications; skin tear management can be done from the comfort of your home.
1. Before beginning, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. It is also a good idea to put on gloves before starting.
2. If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound using gauze while elevating it as much as possible.
3. Carefully cleanse the wound and skin flap with warm water or a saline solution to remove any debris in the wound and prevent the risk of infection. Let it air-dry or gently pat dry, but avoid rubbing the wound or applying too much pressure.
4. Closing the wound with the appropriate dressing (your wound care specialist can help you recommend this) and leave it alone for the next few days.
5. If blood or other fluids still leak from the wound, change the dressing every five to seven days or every one to two days. Ensure that you clean and dry the wound thoroughly before reapplying the dressing.
6. You should examine the wound at least four times daily to ensure it is healing well. See your appointed wound care specialist or doctor immediately if you have any concerns about the wound.
Medications are generally not prescribed for mild skin tears. Even so, they are only prescribed if the skin tear requires it to help with the healing process and you are not allergic to said medications; antibiotic creams may help.
How to Protect Yourself from Skin Tears
As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure, so it helps to be attentive to your surroundings to avoid getting skin tears. One of the simplest ways to help with this is to stay hydrated and have a balanced diet of nutrients. Your skin is a vital organ, and proper nourishment from healthy food and drink will ensure that it stays healthy, protect you from all sorts of scrapes, and prevent infections from getting to you.
Here are a few other ways to prevent skin tears from affecting you.
Create a Safe Environment at Home
Tidy up your home and remove any potential fall hazards, such as footstools and rugs. Cover any sharp corners or pointy ends of furniture, so you do not hurt yourself when moving around. You should also ensure sufficient lighting in your home so you can move about quickly and avoid fall hazards.
Protective Clothing
Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks are good ways to protect against skin tears, but be mindful of zippers and other things that could catch on your skin.
Moisturise Often
Moisturising your skin ensures it stays healthy and prevents it from feeling dry. Be sure to use pH-balanced products that are soothing on the skin.
Avoid Hurting Yourself
Long nails can scratch and damage the skin, increasing the risk of skin tears. Some worn jewellery can also be abrasive to the skin, so it may be a good idea to minimise your jewellery wear or wear pieces that do not stick to the skin.
In Need of a Wound Care Specialist?
At Sozo Wound and Stoma Care, we look after your well-being with high-quality wound care services to help treat your wounds safely and quickly. Our highly professional wound care specialists are always on standby to address your wound care needs from start to finish. Contact us today if you need comprehensive wound care or want to learn more about proper wound care techniques.
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