PRACTICAL TIPS FOR LOOKING AFTER YOUR SKIN

Transcription

1 Being an active partner in your care PRACTICAL TIPS FOR LOOKING AFTER YOUR SKIN As we get older, our skin becomes more delicate and dry, and skin tears are common. However, the simple step of moisturising twice a day can help prevent skin tears in the first place. This brochure has tips on how to take care of your skin to prevent skin tears and what you should do if you have a skin tear. It also highlights the importance of using compression therapy for venous leg ulcers and when to seek treatment for a wound. What you need to know about skin tears With a skin tear, the outer layer of skin peels back and can look like a loose flap of skin. Skin might be torn in incidents like knocking your leg on a chair, or catching your arm on a plant or stake in the garden. Skin tears can be bothersome and might stop you from doing the things you enjoy such as gardening or playing golf. 1. Carville K, Leslie G, Osseiran-Moisson R, Newall N, Lewin G. International Wound Journal. 2014; 11: Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Research has found that men and women who apply an appropriate moisturiser twice a day halve their chance of having a skin tear. 1 There are many different types of moisturisers and some of these are better than others. Alpha Keri lotion is an example of an appropriate moisturiser that DVA gold and white card holders might be eligible to receive on the RPBS. 2 Ask your doctor or pharmacist which moisturiser might suit you best. 1

2 Follow these tips to help prevent skin tears: Apply moisturiser to your arms and legs twice a day it only takes a minute or two. Make it part of your daily routine by moisturising at the same time each day, e.g. after showering in the morning and before bedtime at night. Be careful not to get moisturiser on the soles of your feet. It might make them slippery. Use a soap substitute cleanser when bathing. Soap can make your skin dry out. For example your doctor may prescribe Hamilton Skin Therapy Wash. Take care as soap substitute cleansers may make surfaces slippery. Keep limbs protected by wearing long sleeves and pants. Eat a healthy balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Reduce the chance of falling over; wear good practical footwear, and glasses where prescribed, and keep the house and garden clutter free and well lit. What should I do if I have a skin tear? If you do have a skin tear, even a small one, it is a good idea to see your doctor. Your doctor, or a nurse, can check that the wound is clean and give you advice about how to look after it. Your doctor can talk to you about what might have caused the skin tear. For example if you felt dizzy and fell over, your doctor might review your medicines, to make sure one of them isn t the cause. If you would like to know the basics of how to care for a skin tear, see the insert Looking after a skin tear: know the basics. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have a wound and notice any of the following: the wound has not healed within two weeks increased or new pain swelling, or redness around the wound the wound is weeping a lot the wound becomes black or yellow bleeding in or around the wound a foul odour is coming from the wound you feel unwell or have a temperature. 2

3 What you need to know about venous leg ulcers A venous leg ulcer is a wound between the knee and ankle that is slow to heal because of problems with the veins in the leg. Talk to your doctor if you have any wound below the knee that has not shown signs of healing within two weeks. They might refer you to a specialised wound clinic or district nurse who is trained in applying compression therapy. Compression therapy is the most important treatment Compression therapy uses special bandages and hosiery to apply supportive pressure to your leg. It works by squeezing the limb, reducing swelling and helping venous blood to return to the heart. Research has shown that in most cases venous leg ulcers heal much quicker when compression bandages are used. Listen to this patient who regained his independence by using compression therapy be-wound-aware-for-patients.html Gold and white card holders might be eligible to receive compression bandages and hosiery as well as aids to help apply hosiery. Talk to your doctor to find out more information. What should I do if I have a venous leg ulcer? If you have a venous leg ulcer, the best thing you can do is use compression therapy as directed by your health professional. There are different types of compression bandages and treatment will be tailored to your needs. Compression therapy should feel firm and supportive without causing pain. The slight discomfort of the first few days will ease as the leg swelling reduces. Compression bandages will need to be kept on until the ulcer has healed. Bandages are usually changed once a week. If your compression therapy is uncomfortable at any stage of your treatment, talk to the doctor or nurse who applied it. The bandage might need to be adjusted. What should I do once my venous leg ulcer has healed? Once your venous leg ulcer has healed, the best thing you can do to prevent another one is to use medical-grade compression hosiery. Research has shown that continued use of compression hosiery reduces the chance of it recurring by 70%. Compression hosiery is different to the white anti-embolic stockings used for preventing blood clots. Your leg needs to be measured to ensure you use the correct size. Compression stockings can be removed when you are bathing or have your leg elevated e.g. if you are lying flat in bed. 3

4 Things that I can do to help my venous leg ulcer heal Use compression therapy as directed by your health professional. Once the venous leg ulcer is healed, wear compression hosiery to prevent the ulcer returning. Put on compression hosiery first thing in the morning when leg swelling is less. Wait at least 30 minutes after applying moisturiser before putting on the hosiery, otherwise they will be harder to put on and might get damaged. Keep your leg elevated to your waist when you are resting or sitting to help reduce the swelling in your legs. The best way to do this is by lying flat in bed. You might also use a recliner chair or high footstool. Daily exercise, such as walking, can improve healing. If walking is difficult, talk to your doctor about foot and ankle exercises that can help. Maintain a healthy diet and weight, and take steps to quit smoking. Wear dishwashing gloves for a good grip when taking hosiery on and off. It makes the process easier and prevents damaging them. If you have trouble taking the stockings on and off, ask your doctor about aids that can help. Make sure the compression hosiery is evenly applied without ridges as this can cause skin damage. Replace compression hosiery every three to six months as directed. Compression bandages and hosiery must be kept dry. Use a waterproof protector while bathing. When wearing compression bandages or hosiery, seek advice from your doctor if your toes change in colour e.g. they turn white or blue. Provided by: University of South Australia Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre In association with: Discipline of General Practice, The University of Adelaide Discipline of Public Health, The University of Adelaide NPS MedicineWise Australian Medicines Handbook Drug and Therapeutics Information Service Images in Veterans MATES publications are stock images from photo library sources. They do not picture Department of Veterans Affairs staff, clients or constituents, or imply that the individuals pictured have the medical conditions discussed in Veterans MATES articles.

5 Looking after a skin tear: know the basics 1. In most cases, it is best to see a doctor or health professional for advice. 2. Always start by washing your hands thoroughly, and drying with a clean towel. 3. Stop any bleeding by gently pressing a clean dry towel against the wound. Talk to your doctor if the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes. 4. After the bleeding has stopped, rinse the wound well with cold running water. Drinkable tap water is fine. Don t use soap. 5. Gently remove any dirt with a soft, clean, moist cloth. See your doctor if you are unable to gently remove all the dirt from the wound. 6. After cleaning, gently pat dry with a soft clean cloth. 7. If there is a loose flap of skin, carefully place the flap back over the wound without stretching the skin. 8. Cover the wound with a non-stick dressing pad (see Diagram 1 for instructions). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on an appropriate dressing as some dressings can make the skin tear worse. 9. Keep the bandage on until the wound is completely healed this is usually five to seven days. 10. Change the bandage if it becomes loose, wet, or dirty. Dressings suitable for skin tears are not waterproof and need to be kept dry. 11. Remove dressings gently and slowly. To avoid further damage to the skin, take care to remove in the opposite direction to the skin flap (see Diagram 2 for instructions). If the dressing sticks to the skin, try dabbing the edges with damp paper towel. Diagram 1: Dressing your skin tear Cover the wound with a non-stick dressing pad. Draw an arrow on the top of the dressing to indicate the direction for removing. The arrow should be pointing in the same direction as the edge of the skin flap. Diagram 2: Safe removal of the dressing Remove the dressing slowly and close to the skin, using the arrow to guide you. Never pull against the direction of the skin flap. If you have any concerns about cleaning and dressing the wound or how to safely remove your dressing, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.