From the Guidelines
To treat a skin tear, cleaning and covering the wound with a clean occlusive dressing and/or a topical antibiotic that keeps the wound moist is crucial. This approach is supported by the 2010 American Heart Association and American Red Cross International Consensus on First Aid Science with treatment recommendations 1. When treating a skin tear, it is essential to:
- Clean the wound gently with warm water or saline solution
- Cover the wound with a clean occlusive dressing and/or a topical antibiotic that keeps the wound moist and prevents drying, as recommended by the consensus on first aid science 1
- Apply a non-adherent dressing such as a silicone-based dressing, hydrogel, foam dressing, or petroleum jelly gauze to protect the wound and keep it moist
- Secure the dressing with paper tape or a wrap bandage, avoiding adhesives directly on fragile skin
- Change the dressing every 3-7 days depending on drainage, or sooner if it becomes soiled or loose
- Monitor for signs of infection such as increasing pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge The goal of treatment is to promote healing, prevent infection, and minimize morbidity and mortality, while also improving the patient's quality of life. By following these steps and using evidence-based treatments, most skin tears can heal within 7-21 days with proper care.
From the Research
Skin Tear Treatment Options
- The use of a cyanoacrylate-based liquid dressing has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for superficial nonbleeding abrasions and class I and II skin tears, eliminating the need for topical antibiotics and dressings 2.
- A silver-based hydrofiber dressing has also been found to be a well-tolerated and effective treatment for type 1 and 2 skin tears, providing an easy, efficient, economical, and effective form of management 3.
- Antiseptics, such as octenidine dihydrochloride and polyhexanide, play a crucial role in reducing bioburden in chronic wounds, but must be balanced with tolerability and used in conjunction with other factors to achieve wound healing 4.
Dressing Considerations
- The choice of dressing is important in managing skin tears, and should be selected to avoid adding further risk of trauma 5.
- Topical antibiotics, such as bacitracin, are commonly used in wound care, but the incidence of allergy to these agents is increasing 6.
Prevention and Management
- Skin tears are considered acute wounds caused by mechanical forces, and are preventable with the implementation of a risk-reduction programme, including twice-daily skin moisturisation 5.
- Categorizing the extent of damage and choosing the most appropriate dressing are important steps in managing skin tears 5.