From the FDA Drug Label
Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage The proper treatment for skin tears in a 76-year-old female may include cleaning the affected area and applying a topical antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin, as directed:
- Apply a small amount (equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger)
- Apply 1 to 3 times daily
- May be covered with a sterile bandage 1
From the Research
For skin tears in a 76-year-old female, proper treatment involves gentle cleansing with saline or water, not antiseptics which can damage fragile tissue, as recommended by the most recent study on skin tears in older people 2. The treatment approach should prioritize minimizing further trauma and promoting a moist environment for healing.
- Gentle cleansing with saline or water is essential to prevent damage to the fragile tissue.
- If a skin flap is present, it should be gently repositioned over the wound using a moistened cotton swab or gloved finger.
- A non-adherent dressing such as silicone mesh, foam, or hydrogel should be applied, and secured with paper tape or a wrap bandage, avoiding adhesives directly on fragile skin.
- The dressing should be changed every 3-5 days unless drainage or signs of infection appear, as indicated by increased pain, redness extending beyond the wound edges, warmth, swelling, or purulent drainage.
- Protecting the area from further trauma during healing, which typically takes 7-21 days depending on tear severity, is crucial.
- Prevention of skin tears is also important and can be achieved through moisturizing the skin twice daily, using pH-balanced soaps, ensuring adequate hydration and nutrition, padding furniture edges, and using proper transfer techniques to avoid shearing forces on the skin, as suggested by studies on skin tear prevention and management 3, 4.
- It's worth noting that the use of topical antibiotics may not be necessary for the treatment of clean surgical wounds, and may even cause allergic contact dermatitis and increase drug resistance, as shown in a study comparing topical wound care ointments 5.