Page 35 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2024 - Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES

SKIN TEARS IN THE ELDERLY:

UNDERSTANDING,

PREVENTION, and TreaTmenT

s individuals age, their skin becomes increasingly Preventing skin tears in the elderly requires a
fragile, leading to a heightened susceptibility to injuries. multifaceted approach aimed at minimizing
AAmong the most common wounds affecting the elderly risk factors and promoting skin health. Key
population are skin tears. Skin tears are traumatic injuries
that result from the separation of the skin layers, often due to prevention strategies include:
friction, shearing, or blunt trauma. While skin tears can occur at
any age, they are particularly prevalent among older adults due 1. Maintaining skin hydration: Adequate hydration is essential
to age-related changes in the skin, underlying health conditions, for preserving skin elasticity and integrity. Encouraging elderly
and medications that affect skin integrity. individuals to drink plenty of water and using moisturizers can
help prevent dryness and skin breakdown.
Skin tears typically occur when the fragile
skin of elderly individuals undergoes 2. Using gentle skincare products: Avoiding harsh soaps,
mechanical stress. Common causes include: detergents, and abrasive skincare products can protect the skin
from damage and reduce the risk of tears.

1. Friction: Rubbing or friction against surfaces, such as clothing, 3. Applying protective dressings: Using non-adherent dressings
bedding, or furniture, can cause the delicate skin of older adults or protective films on areas prone to friction or shear forces can
to tear easily. provide an additional barrier against skin tears.

2. Shear forces: Shear forces, which occur when the skin moves 4. Creating a safe environment: Minimizing clutter, securing
in one direction while underlying tissues move in another, rugs, and installing grab bars can help prevent falls and
can lead to the separation of the skin layers, especially in areas accidental injuries that may lead to skin tears.
where the skin is thin and less elastic.
5. Implementing proper handling techniques: Educating
3. Trauma: Accidental bumps, falls, or mishandling during caregivers about proper lifting and transferring techniques can
caregiving procedures can result in skin tears, particularly in reduce the risk of trauma-induced skin tears during caregiving
individuals with compromised skin integrity. activities.

4. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions such as 6. Regular skin assessments: Conducting regular skin
diabetes, vascular disease, malnutrition, and chronic skin assessments can help identify early signs of skin breakdown and
conditions like eczema or psoriasis can increase the risk of skin prompt interventions to prevent skin tears.
tears by weakening the skin's structure and reducing its ability
to heal.
When skin tears occur, prompt and appropriate
5. Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids management is essential to promote healing
and anticoagulants, can thin the skin and impair its healing and prevent complications. Treatment may
capabilities, making elderly individuals more susceptible to skin include:
tears.
1. Cleaning the wound: Gently cleanse the wound with a mild
antiseptic solution or saline to remove debris and reduce the risk
of infection.

Lubbock Senior Link 35