How to Heal a Skin Tear

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Everything you need to know about caring for skin wounds
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Skin tears occur when your skin splits open, or begins to separate from itself, causing a minor but painful wound. Skin tears are among the most common forms of injury due to a wide variety of causes, and often occur in elderly people and premature newborns. People who are immobile, have a chronic illness, or take steroids for a long period of time can also develop skin tears. To prevent infection and heal a skin tear, start by cleaning it and bandaging it properly. Severe skin tears may require medical care by a doctor.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Practicing Wound Hygiene

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  1. Before handling your torn skin, wash your hands. This will get rid of bacteria and dirt that could get into the wound and cause an infection. [1] Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
    • If you don’t have access to soap and water, rub your hands with a hand sanitizer until they feel dry. [2]
  2. Start by washing the skin tear and the surrounding skin with warm water. Alternatively, use a sterile saline wound wash, which you can find at most drugstores. Use your hand to gently wash the area. Do not rub or scrub the area, as this can cause more damage to the skin. [3]
    • Avoid using a towel or cloth to wash the area, as this can irritate the skin tear further. Your hand and running water should work just fine.
    • Make sure you clean the skin tear before you apply a new dressing or bandage to it. This will ensure no bacteria are present in the skin tear before you bandage it.
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  3. You can also apply a saline wound cleanser to the skin tear. The wound cleanser will contain water and antibacterial ingredients to help clean the area. Rinse the area thoroughly with the saline, and try to wash away any obvious dirt or debris. [4]
    • When you apply the wound cleanser, do not rub or scrub the area.
    • You can buy a saline wound cleanser at most drugstores.
  4. This may take 10 to 20 minutes. You can also use a soft towel to pat the area dry, being careful not to rub or scrub the area.
    • If you decide to pat the area dry, avoid using tissue, a cotton ball, or any other material that could leave fragments behind in the wound.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Applying a Bandage or Dressing

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  1. If the skin flap is still attached to the skin tear, use a damp cotton swab or your clean finger to gently ease it back into place. You can also use tweezers or a gloved finger to do this. Putting the flap back in place will help the skin tear to heal properly. [5]
    • Never cut off the skin flap.
  2. Petroleum jelly gauze (or petrolatum gauze) is a good option for skin tears as it will protect the wound and keep it moist so it can heal. Petroleum jelly gauze comes in strips. Use scissors to cut the gauze to fit the area. Then, apply the gauze over the skin tear, leaving a 1 in (2.5 cm) around the skin tear.
    • You can get petroleum jelly gauze or other non-stick dressings online or at your local drugstore.
    • Hydrogel dressings are also an excellent way to protect your wound and promote faster healing. [6]
  3. Kerlix bandages are made of thick, stretchy gauze. They will help to protect the skin tear and keep it moist. Wrap the kerlix bandage over the dressing to hold it in place.
    • Kerlix sticks to itself, so you probably won’t need to tape it in place. If you have to use medical tape to keep it from unwrapping, make sure you only stick it to the bandage and not to the skin.
    • You can also hold the dressing in place with a stockinette, which is a tube-shaped bandage that fits in place without needing to be wrapped or taped down.
  4. To help keep the wound clean while it heals, change the outer dressing (the kerlix bandage or stockinette) once or twice daily, especially during the first 3-4 days after the injury. [7]
    • Change the outer bandages and dressing any time they get wet or dirty.
  5. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, change the dressing on the skin tear itself every 3-5 days, or more often if blood or other fluids are seeping through the dressing. [8] Lift the bandages off and away from the direction of the attached skin flap. Clean the skin tear with water before you apply a new bandage.
    • While you’re changing the dressing, check the skin tear for any signs of infection, such as swelling, odor, pus, or heat coming from the wound. If you suspect the skin tear is infected, or it does not appear to be getting better, see a doctor.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Seeking Medical Care

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  1. If the skin tear causes an open wound, you may need to see a doctor. The doctor can then use medical glue to close the skin tear. This will help the skin tear to heal and prevent the tear from becoming infected. [9]
    • If the skin tear is very painful, the doctor may numb the area before they apply the medical glue.
  2. The doctor may also suggest stitches on the skin tear to close the skin. This may be an option if the skin tear is severe and is at risk of infection. [10] The doctor will use a local anesthesia on the area before they stitch it up.
    • Your doctor will give you instructions about how to care for your stitches and when to return to have them removed. [11]
    • Depending on where the wound is located, the stitches may need to stay in anywhere from a few days to 2 weeks. [12]
  3. Skin tears can be sore and painful, especially if they are located on a sensitive spot on the body. Ask your doctor for prescription pain medication to help reduce the pain as the skin tear heals. [13]
    • The doctor may also recommend over-the-counter pain medication you can get at your local drugstore, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Preventing Skin Tears

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  1. Apply lotion or another moisturizer to your skin, especially on your arms and legs. Skin that is dry tears much more easily than skin that is moisturized. [14]
    • Drinking water also helps moisturize your skin, so be sure to consume an 8  fl oz (240 mL) glass of water 8 times each day. [15]
  2. The foods you eat can also affect your skin. Eat a variety of healthy foods so that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your skin in good condition. Avoid sugary, overly processed foods, such as candy, chips, cookies, or greasy fast food. Some good options include: [16]
    • Lean proteins, such as poultry, beans, or tofu
    • Vegetables and fruits
    • Whole grain foods, such as brown rice or whole grain bread
  3. If you do yard work or other activities that might put you at risk of scraping or bumping your skin, wear protective clothing to keep your skin safe. This can be as simple as wearing long sleeves and long pants. [17]
    • If you work with your hands a lot, protect them with gloves or wrappings.
    • Wrapped gauze or stockinette (tube-shaped) bandages can also protect vulnerable areas, like your ankles or knuckles.
  4. The sun can dry out your skin and make it more prone to tears. To protect yourself, stay out of the sun as much as you can, especially during the middle of the day. If you have to go out, slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply it every 2 hours. [18]
    • You can also protect your skin from the sun by wearing light, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and broad-brimmed hats.
  5. You might think that frequent soaks in the tub would be hydrating, but bathing too often can actually dry out your skin and make it more prone to tearing. [19] Keep your showers and baths short and avoid bathing more than once a day if possible.
    • After you get out of the tub or shower, smooth on a gentle moisturizing lotion to lock in hydration and keep your skin from drying out.
  6. Skin tears are often caused by bumping into your surroundings. Make sure your home or work has adequate light sources to avoid such accidents. [20]
    • If you don’t want to have lights on all the time, install motion-sensing nightlights around your home. For instance, you might put one of these lights in the hallway on the way to the bathroom to help you find your way in the dark.
  7. If you’re constantly bumping into furniture as you move around your home, you’re a lot more likely to get skin tears. Make sure you have a clear path from one area to another, especially in spaces where you might be groping around in the dark (for example, on the way from your bedroom to your bathroom). [21]
    • If you have a big item that you don’t want to move, like a coffee table, try padding any sharp corners or edges with foam to prevent accidents.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    I picked a scab. How do I heal it now?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer
    1) Clean the area, 2) apply antibiotic ointment, 3) cover the wound with a bandage and change it as it gets soiled or at least once in 24 hours.
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      Tips

      • If you’re caring for a baby with a skin tear in their diaper area, avoid using wipes until the wound heals. Clean the area with a gentle soap and water or saline rinse instead. Then, apply a gentle cream or ointment, such as petroleum jelly or a zinc oxide diaper rash cream, to protect the wound before you put the diaper back on.
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      Warnings

      • If the wound shows signs of infection, it's a red flag. You must go to your local A&E immediately or call an ambulance. If left untreated, this could be life threatening.
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      • If the wound still hasn't healed after a period of time, you may need to see a medical professional.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/art-20056711
      2. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/hand/handwashing.html
      3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-minor-cuts
      4. ↑ https://www.lvhn.org/sites/default/files/uploads/research_education/EmergencyMedicineMedStudents/WoundCleansing.pdf
      5. ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/wound-care/wound-care/conditions/skin-tears/
      6. ↑ https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/tissue-viability/the-management-of-skin-tears-04-02-2003/
      7. ↑ https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/tissue-viability/the-management-of-skin-tears-04-02-2003/
      8. ↑ https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2019/02/haa-skin-tears-resource-guide.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.jucm.com/using-tissue-adhesives-in-urgent-care/
      1. ↑ https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/tissue-viability/the-management-of-skin-tears-04-02-2003/
      2. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000498.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-should-i-care-for-my-stitches/
      4. ↑ https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/npre.2018.16.12.600
      5. ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/wound-care/wound-care/conditions/skin-tears/
      6. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
      7. ↑ https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2019/02/haa-skin-tears-resource-guide.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/expert-answers/thin-skin/faq-20057753
      9. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/expert-answers/thin-skin/faq-20057753
      10. ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/wound-care/wound-care/conditions/skin-tears/
      11. ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/wound-care/wound-care/conditions/skin-tears/
      12. ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/wound-care/wound-care/conditions/skin-tears/
      13. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2884765/

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