How to avoid or treat skin tears and wounds

It’s no secret that with life comes change, and as we age, our bodies are not immune to these changes, and as the years go on, our skin is just one of the many visible signs of ageing. The skin you’re in becomes thin and fragile, prone to tearing and long-suffering wounds.

Time’s fragile effect on our skin will happen regardless of how well it’s been looked after. However, there are many factors that can further weaken skin, such as:

• sun damage,
• menopause,
• smoking cigarettes,
• nutrition and poor diet.

Starts at 60 have taken a deep dive into the causes behind these painful skin issues, looking into how best they can be treated and avoided.

What causes skin tears and wounds?

Skin tears occur when the skin is stretched or pulled too far, and are a common injury for seniors. That’s because as we age our skin becomes thin and fragile. Even minor injuries, like bumping into a doorframe, can lead to a skin tear.

Although skin tears result in numerous ways, there are three main skin injuries that lead to tearing:

• Shearing injuries. This occurs when the skin is pulled in opposite directions, such as when a person is transferred from a bed to a wheelchair.
• Stripping injuries. This occurs when the skin is pulled off of the underlying tissue, such as when tape is removed from the skin.
• Crushing injuries. This occurs when the skin is compressed between two hard surfaces, such as when a person falls onto a hard surface.

How to avoid skin tears and wounds

If left untreated, skin tears can cause major complications leading to infection and painful wounds that are slow to heal. The good news is, skin tears are largely preventable.

The first step in wound and skin tearing prevention is to conduct a risk assessment. Risks include:

• dry and fragile skin,
• advanced age,
• previous history of skin tears,
• poor nutrition and hydration,
• risk of falls or injury and level of dependency,
• limb and joint stiffness,
• cognitive and sensory impairments,
• medicines that affect the skin,
• prosthetics that may rub on skin,
• causes that may lead to prolonged contact with moisture (incontinence aids).

Once the risk factors are identified, you should chat with your doctor to discuss any lifestyle changes that may be necessary, and to consider an assessment conducted by an occupational therapist.

You should also make sure your medical conditions are well optimised. Things like having to get up during the night to go to the toilet, feeling dizzy or poor eyesight can all increase your risk of falls, for instance. If you feel unsteady on your feet or you’re worried about falls – ask for a falls risk assessment.

Consider getting an occupational therapist to come to your home and help with modifications like rails if needed. Remove rugs or loose carpet from the floor, wear well-fitting shoes, not slippers, and make sure you have good lighting.

If you do suffer from fragile skin, you should avoid sticky dressings, sharp nails and jewellery. You can also moisturise twice daily to keep your skin well hydrated.

Eating a healthy balanced diet and staying hydrated is vital to maintaining skin health too. Your skin is a continuation of your gut. If you’re lacking nutrients or you’re dehydrated, it will compromise your skin health.