Skin tears – what they are and what you can do about them
Skin tears are traumatic wounds with a separation of skin layers1. They’re often confused with lacerations and can become a serious problem if not treated correctly.
Your complete care solution for skin tears: Leukoplast STEPS
Dealing with skin tears does not only involve their treatment but also to support the skin's recovery and the prevention of further tears. A holistic approach is needed, which is why we have created a unique offering: Leukoplast STEPS, the complete care solution for skin tears.
What can a skin tear look like?
- Separation of skin layers
- May appear with or without loss of a skin flap
1) Type I: No skin loss – Linear or flap tear which can be repositioned to cover the wound bed.
2) Type II: Partial flap loss – Flap cannot be repositioned to cover the wound bed.
3) Type III: Total flap loss – Entire wound bed exposed.
Possible consequences of mistreated skin tears
- Healing complications such as infections
- Pain and impaired quality of life
- Long treatment duration
How do skin tears happen?
Skin tears can be caused by a variety of mechanical forces:
Shear and Friction
Blunt trauma
Falls
Injury from devices and the removal of adhesive dressing
Who is at risk?
Skin tears are a big risk for patients with fragile skin – especially elderly people.
Elderly patients and infants
Patients with frequent dressing changes
Patients with disease-related fragile skin
Patients on certain medications
Tips for prevention (1)
The best skin tears are those that never happen
Moisturizing
Skin tear incidence can be reduced by 50% if moisturizer is applicated twice-daily.2 Moisturizers such as our PROskin range are suitable.
Bathing routine
Reduce bathing and showering as it makes skin dryer. Use soap free, non-rinse and/or pH-neutral skin cleansers.
Clothing
Protect your skin by wearing long pants/trousers, knee-high socks, and tops with long sleeves.
Wound Care
Use products that help to prevent further skin damages and can be gently removed – such as the Leukoplast skin sensitive range.
Prevention of accidents
Reduce risks in your household such as sharp corners, bad lighting and tripping hazards.
Related products
If a minor wound occurs, select a dressing with a silicone-based adhesive. They are easy to apply and remove and help to protect fragile skin from further harm like skin tears.
To help prevent skin tears we offer moisturizers such as TENA® PROskin or also medical skin care with Cutimed® Acute.
Tips for treatment
React fast to improve the healing process!
When skin tears happen, control the bleeding and consult a doctor. Treatment may include the following steps1.
- Control bleeding (if still required)
- Cleanse and debride
- Manage infection/inflammation
- Consider moisture balance/exudate control
- Monitor wound edge/closure
- Ensure skin flap remains undisturbed
- Dressings should be able to remain in place for several days (but no longer than 7 days)3
Under good conditions, skin tears will heal in 14 to 21 days.1
Tips for recovery
Get back on track – with the help of compression therapy
Compression therapy should be considered if the wound is on the lower leg. Your doctor will advise if compression is required and will carry out a full leg assessment including vascular assessment1.
Compression therapy provides a variety of benefits:
- Compression wear supports the blood circulation in the lower legs, ankles and feet.
- Compression therapy helps reduce venous hypertension and oedema.
- Reducing the swelling and inflammation near the wound edges makes it easier for the skin to receive oxygen and accelerates healing.
Related products
Different levels of compression can help meet your individual needs for care. For more information on compression therapy and types of products you can visit the JOBST website.
Download our skin tear information sheet
We offer you the most important information from this page on a handy info sheet that you can download and print if you wish.
Are you a health care professional?
For more information and resources on skin tears, you can visit the website of the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) at skintears.org/resources
References
1 LeBlanc K, et al. Best practice recommendations for the prevention and management of skin tears in aged skin. Wounds International. 2018.
2 Carville K, et al. The effectiveness of a twice-daily skin-moisturising regimen for reducing the incidence of skin tears. Int Wound J. 2014;11(4):446-453.
3 Deprez J, et al. Measures that patients living in the community can take for the prevention and treatment of skin tears: A comprehensive review of the literature. J Wound Management. 2022;23(2):70-77.