Service
Skin tears: home wound care
A skin tear is a wound where fragile, thin skin has been torn — often from a bump, a bandage or a gentle pull. With the right dressing and gentle handling, many skin tears heal well at home.
What it is
Older adults and people who take steroids or blood thinners often have skin that tears easily. A skin tear can look minor but can become a long-standing open wound if it is not dressed and protected properly.
Treatment is mostly about gentle care: putting the skin flap back where it belongs, choosing a dressing that will not stick to the wound, and wrapping or padding the area so it is not torn again.
Who this is for
- Older adults with thin, fragile skin
- People taking medications that make skin more likely to tear
- Anyone with a skin tear on an arm, hand or lower leg
- Caregivers who need a dressing plan that can be changed without causing more damage
What a visit looks like
- Careful assessmentWe clean the wound gently and see whether the skin flap can be laid back into place.
- Non-stick dressingWe dress it with products chosen so that removal does not tear the new skin.
- Protection planWe pad or wrap the area and look at sleeves, tape and equipment that could pull on the skin.
- Skin care teachingWe show your caregiver how to handle the area and what moisturising routine helps fragile skin.
- ReportingWe document the size and appearance each visit and report changes to your provider.
Questions about skin tears
Does skin tears care at home need a doctor's order?
Clinically reviewed by [ADD REVIEWER NAME + CREDENTIALS, e.g. J. Smith, RN, BSN] on [ADD REVIEW DATE]
Where we provide this care
This service is available across our three-county service area in Northwest Florida.
Other wound care services
Many patients need more than one type of wound care. These are the other wounds we treat at home.
- Diabetic ulcersDiabetic foot ulcers are open sores that can form on the feet of people with diabetes.
- Pressure injuriesA pressure injury (also called a pressure ulcer, pressure sore or bedsore) is damage to skin and tissue caused by staying in one position too long.
- CellulitisCellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissue just beneath it.
- Surgical woundsAfter surgery, some incisions need skilled dressing changes and watching for infection.
- Trauma woundsTrauma wounds are injuries from a fall, a cut, a bump or a crash.
- Arterial ulcersArterial ulcers are wounds caused by poor blood flow to the legs or feet.
Ready to start? Call us or send a referral.
We answer questions about coverage and physician orders before you commit to anything.
- Phone
- 850-940-4325
- Fax referrals
- 833-636-4600
- Office hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Leave a message after hours and we will call you back.
