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Orange County, CA Skin Tear Treatment

What Is A Skin Tear?

A skin tear occurs when the skin’s layers separate or get peeled away. Skin tears can happen as the result of blunt trauma, like bumping into something or hitting something. They also happen as the result of friction, like when skin is rubbed too harshly; for example: during vigorous washing or drying of the face or body – or putting clothes on too roughly. 

This type of wound is more likely to occur to people with thin or fragile skin; therefore skin tears are more common in newborn babies, the elderly and those with chronic illness.

Other risk factors for skin tears, include: 

  • Dry skin
  • People with a history of skin tears
  • Taking the following medications: immuno-suppressants, anti-coagulants, steroids, and anti-inflammatories
  • Dehydration
  • Poor nutrition
skin tear treatment

Types Of Skin Tears

  1. No skin loss – the skin can be repositioned in such a way that it will cover the entire wound. 
  2. Partial thickness – the epidermis layer of skin pulls away from the next layer down (the dermis). 
  3. Full thickness – the epidermis and dermis layer are separated from the tissues underneath. 

 

Goals for treating a skin tear:

When treating a skin tear the biggest goals are to save the skin flap (if possible); protect the surrounding skin tissue; bring the separated edges of skin back together without overstretching them; and to secure the site of the skin tear, protecting the wound from getting infected or injured further.

How To Treat A Skin Tear or Gash Wound

When treating a skin tear or gash wound it is important to keep the wound as clean and as dry as possible. Here are the steps you should follow to treat a skin tear:  

  1. Clean your hands with soap and water. 
  2. Slow the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound or by elevating it. 
  3. Use warm water to clean the wound or, instead of water, you can use a saline solution; then pat dry using a new, clean towel. (Don’t rub the wound.) 
  4. If any skin is still hanging off, never cut it off. 
  5. Don’t use anything adhesive; bandage the wound with a stockinette or another type of non-stick dressing. 

 

Call your doctor if:

  • The wound is red, swelling, oozing pus or has a foul odor coming from it. 
  • Bleeding is profuse; blood is coming through your bandage. 
  • The pain is becoming worse or more consistent. 
  • The wound has reopened.
  • You’ve developed a fever. 
  • You have questions about your skin tear. 

How To Prevent Skin From Tearing?

You can help prevent the likelihood of skin tears with the following precautions: 

  • Use lotion. Dry skin is more likely to tear, so keep skin hydrated to combat skin tears. 
  • Drink water. Drinking water improves your skin’s elasticity and keeps it hydrated. 
  • Turn the lights on. Skin tearing is often the result of bumping into furniture, walls and other surroundings. 
  • Pad your home. Use foam and stuffing to pad sharp corners in your home because (again) a big cause of skin tearing is bumping into things. 
  • Wear long sleeves. Long sleeve shirts and long pants give your skin added protection from tears. 
  • Less frequent bathing. A less frequent bathing schedule will help keep some of the skin’s natural moisture – bathing too often can dry skin out. 
  • Wear shoes. Protective clothing and shoes may reduce the risk of skin tears.
  • Avoid bandaids on frail skin. If you have thin skin, avoid the use of adhesive bandages.

Complications That Can Occur

If a skin tear is left untreated it can lead to various complications including pain, infection, sepsis and cellulitis. Additionally, if a skin tear remains untreated or is not properly treated it will delay the wound from healing properly, which will add to healing time. 

Skin tears can be complicated and should be treated as soon as they happen. They may require a doctor’s treatment – especially if you suspect infection. Skin tears should heal within a month; if a skin tear takes longer than one month to heal it is considered to be a chronic skin tear and, again, should be looked at by a doctor.

Choose Wound Care OC For Skin Tear Treatment

In Orange County, Wound Care OC is the preeminent source for the very best professionals and resources for treating skin tears, gash wounds, and others types of wounds including diabetic ulcers, pressure wounds, bedsore wounds, burns, C-section wounds, post-surgical wounds, and more. Regardless of how your skin tear has occurred or how advanced it is, we can get you moving toward the best possible outcome. We have helped many patients to a complete recovery from this difficult health challenge, and have the confidence to guide you as well. Call our office today, and we can schedule you for an initial evaluation. You will be glad you did.

Wound care specialist Dr. Faried Banimahd

Working Hours

Orange County

California

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