Wound Care Skin Tears

PATIENT INFORMATION
Wound care ‒ skin tears

What is a skin tear? • The wound is starting to heal and the skin is ‘taking’. The
best result is if the skin becomes part of the final healed
You have sustained a skin tear. When a doctor assesses your wound. Sometimes the skin does not ‘take’ but is effective in
wound they will decide on the best method to achieve optimal acting as a temporary cover while the wound heals underneath.
healing based on a number of factors including your pre-existing Less commonly, the wound may not heal. In this situation,
health, general condition of your skin, the location, size or depth other options including surgery and skin grafting may need to
of the wound, and whether it is subject to tension (e.g. a wound be pursued.
across a joint). Treatment options include adhesive strips or
specialised dressings for simple skin tears, or surgical treatment If becoming infected, signs usually start developing two to three
for deep or complicated wounds. days after the injury and may include:
• Increasing pain despite taking painkillers
Treatment
• A warm, red, and swollen or painful wound or surrounding skin
Skin tears are cleaned, with any blood under the skin flap removed.
It is important not to pull off loose, rolled up or shrivelled up • Pus (yellow or greenish discharge) or an offensive smell
pieces of skin as it is often possible to carefully stretch the skin • A tender lump in the groin or armpit
back in place over the torn area much like putting together
a jigsaw puzzle. It is then held in place with adhesive strips or • Fever (temperature over 37.5oC in adults or 38oC in children) or
specialised dressings. flu-like symptoms
Modern dressings are specially designed to maintain the skin in • The wound is not starting to heal (after about five days)
the right position, allow ooze to be mopped up, and provide a Skin tears often take from weeks to months to heal, and may
moist healing environment. This promotes faster healing and less need regular dressing changes. Patients are often able to perform
scarring. These dressings are designed to only be changed every their own dressing changes once healing is underway. As the
3-7 days. If the wound is oozing a lot, the dressing can be changed wound heals it is important to avoid early sun exposure as this will
more frequently. potentially break down the scar line or make it painful.
The part of the body where the skin tear is located is sometimes All wounds leave a scar regardless of the method used to close it.
splinted initially to limit movement to help the skin will ‘stick down’ At first, the scar may be red and thickish, then over the next six
and ‘take’. months it will become white, thin and smaller (sometimes almost
Keep the dressing clean and dry. invisible). The skin heals at different rates, depending on factors
such as the person’s general health, age, diet and whether the
Healing wound becomes infected.
In the first few days, the wound may be slightly red, tender or Preventing skin tears in the future
swollen; this is the same for all wounds. These symptoms should
settle and resolve as the wound starts to heal. During this time, you 1. Optimise the treatment of medical conditions such as diabetes
may need some pain relief (such as paracetamol) and to rest the 2. Ensure adequate fluid intake and eat a balanced diet as dry skin
wound area when possible to encourage the skin to ‘stick down’. is more prone to cracking and breaking
You will be instructed to go to your GP or come back to the 3. Try a soap-free cleanser to avoid drying out the skin
emergency department in 3-5 days to check if:
4. Moisturise the skin regularly
• There amount of ooze is excessive, in which case the dressing
will need more frequent changing 5. Ensure fingernails and toenails are trimmed regularly
• There is any evidence of infection. All wounds have a small risk 6. Protect areas of fragile skin with clothing
of infection. If the wound begins to look more red, painful or
discharges pus, then return to Cabrini ED at any time for further
care.
Alan, Ada and Eva Selwyn Emergency Department

24 hours, 7 days a week
183 Wattletree Road, Malvern, VIC 3144
(03) 9508 1500 | www.cabrini.com.au
Reveiwed March 2022

PATIENT INFORMATION
Seeking help
Cabrini Emergency Department (ED) is staffed by experienced
emergency doctors and nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. If
you have any questions about your ED treatment our qualified ED
staff can be contacted on (03) 9508 1500 at any time. If you need
to return to Cabrini ED for ongoing care we would be glad to take
care of you again and if this occurs within a week of your initial
consultation the doctor’s fee will be bulk-billed.
You can also expect to receive a phone call or SMS message
from one of our emergency nurses the day after you have been
discharged. The nurse will be able to clarify any aspect of your
diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up.
In a medical emergency return to Cabrini ED if it is safe to do so
or go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call an
ambulance – dial triple zero (000).
Want to know more?

• Contact Cabrini ED on (03) 9508 1500
• Ask your local doctor or healthcare professional
• Visit the Better Health Channel at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Reveiwed March 2022

Wound Care Skin Tears

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PATIENT INFORMATION

Wound care ‒ skin tears

Alan, Ada and Eva Selwyn Emergency Department

Reveiwed March 2022

Want to know more?

Reveiwed March 2022

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