Skin Tears
What to do for a skin tear
•
Wash your hands
•
Gently clean the wound with warm
clean water
•
Pat dry with a clean towel
•
If a skin flap is still attached, try to
replace it by gently rolling the skin
back over the wound, do not cut
the skin flap off
•
Cover the wound with a clean,
non-stick pad
•
Use a stockinette instead of adhesive
dressings or tapes
•
Contact your health professional
Information for clients, family and carers
promoting
healthy skin
Champions for Skin Integrity
60 Musk Ave
Kelvin Grove Qld 4059
Brisbane, Australia
This is a guide only and does not
replace clinical judgment
References:
Phone: + 61 7 3138 6000 or
Fax: +61 7 3138 6030 or
Email: ihbi@qut.edu.au
Email (Wound Healing): woundservice@qut.edu.au
Ratliff C, Fletcher K, Skin Tears: A review of the evidence to support
prevention and treatment. Ostomy Wound Management, 2007.53(3)
CRICOS No. 00213J
Carville K et al., STAR: A consensus for skin tear classification. Primary
Intention, 2007. 15(1): 18–28
Joanna Briggs Institute, Topical skin care in aged care facilities. Best
Practice, 2007. 11(3)
Best Practice Statement: Care of the Older Person’s Skin Wounds UK 2012,
2nd ed. http://www.woundsinternational.com/pdf/content_10608.pdf
www.ihbi.qut.edu.au
This Project is funded by the Australian Government Department
of Health and Ageing under the Encouraging Better Practice in Aged
Care (EBPAC) program.
promoting
healthy skin
Champions for Skin Integrity
Risk factors for skin tears
You are at risk for a skin tear if you:
Skin
S
n Te
Tears
ars
•
have dry, fragile skin
•
have memory or sensory impairment
•
have poor mobility
✔Do
•
have poor nutrition and hydration
•
•
are taking multiple medications
Use correct lifting, positioning
and transfer techniques
•
Use caution when bathing
and dressing
•
Keep fingernails trimmed
•
Protect fragile skin e.g. use limb
protectors or long sleeves or pants
What is a skin tear?
•
•
A skin tear is a break in the outer
layers of the skin
It can result in the ‘peeling back’
of the skin, or partial or total loss of
the skin
How to prevent skin tears
✔Do
•
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid daily
•
Eat a balanced, nutritious diet
•
•
Keep fingernails and
toenails trimmed
Pad or cushion equipment and
furniture e.g. wheelchairs
•
Use pillows (satin or silk covers help
reduce friction and shear) to position
people who are less mobile
Provide a well-lit, safe environment
•
Apply moisturiser twice daily
•
Wear long sleeves, long pants or
knee-high socks to protect skin
•
Ensure adequate lighting
✘ Don’t
•
How do skin tears occur?
Most skin tears occur because of:
✘ Don’t
•
Falls, accidents, knocks and bumps
•
Do not use tapes or adhesives
•
Removal of tapes and adhesives
•
Do not use soap for bathing—try soap
free products for cleansing
Skin tears are a common
problem affecting older people
How carers
can help
prevent
skin tears
•
Do not wear rings that may snag skin
•
Do not pull the skin during contact.
Use assistive devices
e.g. slide sheets
•
Do not use tapes or adhesives