Dermatoporosis is a chronic skin fragility syndrome, caused by age and environmental factors. People with dermatoporosis have skin whose protective mechanical function is reduced and which has a decreased tolerance for friction and shearing forces. Skin tears are another clinical consequence of age-associated skin vulnerability and people with dermatoporosis are at increased risk of skin tears. Dermatoporosis may also delay the healing of skin tears, making it vital that healthcare professionals are aware of this condition. Skin tears have profound effects on the health and well-being of older people, and these kinds of injuries are being seen more frequently in clinical practice as the average age of the population increases. The treatment of skin tears in three older people with dermatoporosis is discussed and the clinical decisions made in each case.
Nursing Older People. 30, 3, 26-31. doi: 10.7748/nop.2018.e1022
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software
Conflict of interestNone declared
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Received: 11 December 2017
Accepted: 29 January 2018
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