What is a skin tear?

This guide provides practical information about skin tears, including what causes them and how to treat them, as well as some of the products and procedures that can help prevent skin tears from occurring.

What is a skin tear?

A skin tear is an acute wound characterised by the complete or partial separation of the outer layers of skin from the inner tissue. Skin tears can vary in size and depth, but they do not extend to the hypodermis (the deepest layer of skin). 

Skin tears are classified depending on the level of skin separation and how much of the wound bed is exposed:

• Type 1: No skin loss - this type of linear or flap tear can be repositioned to cover the wound bed
• Type 2: Partial flap loss - this type of tear cannot be repositioned to cover the wound bed
• Type 3: Total flap loss - this type of skin tear exposes the entire wound bed

Tears of the skin can occur anywhere on the body but are more often found on the arms, legs, and the backs of hands. Skin tears may also be referred to as abrasions, lacerations, scrapes, or grazes. This lack of standardised terminology can make it difficult to recognise and treat a skin tear accordingly. 

What causes skin tears?

Skin tears are caused by friction or trauma, such as removing an adhesive dressing from the skin. Patients who use wound dressings, adhesive dressings, or medical devices that adhere to their skin, such as stoma pouches and insulin pumps, are prone to skin tears when they change their device or dressing. 

Accidental traumas to the skin such as impact injuries from falls, bumping into a sharp object, or poor handling when being repositioned or assisted to move can also cause skin tears.  

Skin tears can happen to anyone, although tearing of the skin is more likely to occur in older adults. This is because skin becomes thinner and more fragile as we age, making it less resistant to trauma. 

Others who are more at risk of developing skin tears include people with chronic illnesses, people who have been treated with high doses of steroids for long periods, and those with poor nutrition and/or hydration.

How to prevent a skin tear

Skin tears are preventable with the right healthy habits, patient care, and products. 

To keep skin as strong and supple as possible, drink plenty of fluids, eat a nutritious diet full of vitamins and minerals, and moisturise at least once per day. When washing aged skin, switch soap for an emollient and moisturise twice daily. Emollient therapy promotes general skin health and can help reduce the incidence of skin tears by as much as 50%.  

Practical changes to the home environment can also help prevent skin tears, such as making sure halls, corridors, and walkways are well-lit and obstacle-free to avoid bumps and falls. Wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers whenever possible also helps since it provides skin with an extra layer of protection. 

When removing medical devices and dressings that adhere to the skin, always use a medical adhesive remover such as Lifteez Adhesive Remover Aerosol to minimise the potential for skin tears and pain on dressing removal. 

And, before adhering dressings or medical devices to the skin, apply this Medi Derma-S Barrier Film Aerosol. This product is specially designed to protect skin from the potential skin damage that can occur when using adhesive wound dressings or pouches, including skin tears.

How to treat a skin tear

In the event of a skin tear, use one of these Sterile Dressing Packs and follow this skin care treatment protocol:

• Clean the skin tear with water. If the wound is bleeding, apply gentle pressure until the bleeding stops 
• Reposition the skin flap where possible before applying a dressing to cover and protect the damaged area
• If there is no flap to be repositioned, apply a skin tear dressing to cover the open wound and protect the area
• Leave the dressing in place for five to seven days to allow the skin tear to heal
• Remove the dressing using Lifteez Adhesive Remover Wipes or spray to avoid further skin damage