Skin Tears

Skin tears and lacerations are the most common wound types. However, if you have diabetes or another medical condition that affects blood flow, they can present serious risks. At Complete Wound Care in Wallingford and Milford, Connecticut, complex wound care specialists Adrian Wyllie, MD, MBA, CWSP, FAPWH, and Vadim Kurbatov, MD, PhD, provide complete care for skin tears. After an exam and diagnostic testing, they develop a treatment plan to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. Call the nearest Complete Wound Care office today to schedule skin tear treatment, or book your visit online.

What are skin tears?

A skin tear, also known as a laceration, is a common injury that causes a break in the skin. 

Anyone can experience skin tears or lacerations. However, they’re most common in older adults with weak skin that breaks easily. 

Sometimes, lacerations occur because of a fall. Other times, they’re the result of using sharp tools. Regardless of the cause, the sooner you seek treatment, the better.

Are there different types of skin tears?

Three categories of skin tears (lacerations) exist:

Category 1 tears

A category 1 tear features a skin flap that can be closed on all sides. These tears typically don’t require stitches and often heal with a light wound dressing.

Category 2 tears

A category 2 tear features a damaged skin flap that won’t close properly. These lacerations don’t heal on their own because the flap doesn’t reach all edges of the wound. 

Category 3 tears

A category 3 tear occurs when the flap of skin tears away completely. This type is the most severe and takes the longest to hear. 

Who is at risk of skin tears?

Skin tears affect people from all backgrounds. Several factors increase your risk, including:

• Being 65 or older
• Limited mobility
• Having a skin-related medical condition, such as dry or thin skin
• Using certain prescription medications, such as anticoagulants and corticosteroids

Regularly examining your skin is crucial if you have any of these risk factors. 

How are skin tears diagnosed?

The Complete Wound Care team diagnoses skin tears during a quick visual exam. Depending on the tears’ severity, your provider might also take a tissue sample (biopsy) to check for an infection or complete diagnostic imaging to assess how far the damage extends beneath your skin. 

After determining the category of tear, your provider makes personalized treatment recommendations.

How are skin tears treated?

The Complete Wound Care team takes a patented-centered and holistic approach to skin tear treatment. The goal is to prevent infection, protect the surrounding skin, and promote healing. They might suggest:

• Dressing the tear with cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTPs)
• Compression therapy
• Stitches 
• A placental allograft 
• Antibiotics to prevent infection
• Pain management

Your provider monitors the tear at regular checkups, adjusting your treatment as needed to ensure it heals properly.

Call the nearest Complete Wound Care office today to schedule skin tear treatment, or book your appointment online.