All about caring for injured skin: types of wounds, risk factors and treatment
Posted by Ivatherm
Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is soft and smooth to allow body movement, but tough and resilient enough to withstand harmful factors that can damage it. The texture, thickness, and size of the skin vary depending on its location on the body and the pressures it is subjected to.
Every day, the skin has to cope with numerous internal (intrinsic) and environmental (extrinsic) factors that can affect its structure, causing various skin lesions. It is, therefore, constantly at risk of injury, but it has this amazing ability to heal itself.
A lesion is damage to the body. It is a general term referring to injuries caused by accidents, falls, blows, weapons, and insect stings. Skin wounds range from minor ones that heal on their own to those that can be life-threatening if not properly cared for.
Some people are at higher risk of injury due to their age, health condition, activities they perform, or other factors.
Contents
Types of skin lesions
Skin traumas are injuries to the skin. These can take several forms:
Cuts. These are injuries that penetrate the skin down to the adipose tissue and are most often caused by a sharp object. Cuts from a knife or a piece of glass are very common, especially while a person is cooking or washing dishes. Most such injuries can be safely treated at home.
Scratches. These are superficial wounds that do not penetrate into the deep layers of the skin. Scratches are common on knees, elbows, and palms.
Bruises. These are bleeding under the skin due to damaged blood vessels. They are caused by a blunt object.
Blisters (vesicles). These are painful skin irritations that can appear anywhere on the body where the skin rubs continuously, but are more common between the toes.
Calluses. These hard, thickened areas of skin form as a result of friction or pressure on the skin. Calluses naturally develop to protect the skin beneath them.
Frostbite. When the temperature drops below freezing, the skin must be protected to limit the skin damage that cold weather can cause. Frostbite occurs when the skin – and sometimes the tissue beneath the skin – freezes due to prolonged exposure to low temperatures. Depending on its severity, frostbite can cause severe, sometimes permanent, skin damage.
Burns. These skin lesions are of several types, but the most common are first-degree burns. When a person accidentally touches a hot stove, a curling iron, or a hair straightener, they will most likely suffer a first-degree burn. Sunburns can also be included in this category. Unlike second- or third-degree burns, which are more severe, first-degree burns involve only the top layer of the skin. The skin may be red, painful, and slightly inflamed.
Irritations. Wool, chemicals, soaps are just some of the factors that can irritate the skin and cause rashes and itching.
Insect bites. Most insect bites cause a small, red lump on the skin, which can cause pain and itching (pruritus). Many bites heal on their own within a few hours or days and can be safely treated at home.
Damaged skin: risk factors
Certain categories of people are more prone to skin lesions, due to both internal and external factors.
Elderly people. The natural aging process causes changes in the skin that make it more fragile and, therefore, much more vulnerable to injury. With a reduced capacity for skin regeneration and a less efficient immune system, elderly patients are at increased risk of skin damage, even from a minor wound. Skin changes associated with aging include thinning of the epidermis and flattening of the epidermal junction, decreased production of collagen, elastin, and glycans, atrophy and contraction of the dermis (leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles), decreased activity of sweat glands and sebaceous glands (leading to dry skin), and thinning of blood vessel walls.
People performing certain activities (lifting heavy objects, handling harsh tools) are at higher risk of suffering skin injuries.
People exposed to fire or chemicals.
People with health problems. The skin can be affected by a person's general health. Factors that can make the skin more prone to damage include some chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer, certain medications, such as steroids and anticoagulants, as well as poor nutrition.
People whose ability to see or feel is impaired. When a person cannot see well or does not feel normal sensations of heat, cold, or pain, they may be at higher risk of skin injury.
People with balance and mobility problems. Poor balance or mobility can put a person at risk of falling or bumping into objects.
Damaged skin: prevention methods
Attention is the main method of preventing skin wounds. From household tasks to professional activities, every action involves a risk of skin injury, but it is important to consider certain preventive measures.
First, creating a safe environment, especially if there are people at risk of injury nearby. At home, at school, at work, or in the playground, it is essential to clearly mark hard or rough objects that pose a higher risk of impact, and glossy surfaces where there is a risk of slipping should be covered with non-slip materials. At the same time, it is important that areas are well lit and electrical cables are not visible.
When performing daily tasks, it is good to protect the skin, especially that of the hands. Thus, it is recommended to wear gloves when transferring hot food, and to use finger protection when slicing food.
Another necessary measure to avoid skin lesions is to protect the body during activities with a risk of injury. For example, for cycling or motorcycling, special protective equipment is required.
Avoiding tight clothing or jewelry that could damage the skin by friction, and wearing wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved blouses to ensure sun protection, are other effective measures to prevent skin damage.
Last but not least, it is important to maintain skin health by:
using delicate cosmetic products that do not affect the skin structure;
using a moisturizer at least twice a day;
washing with warm, not hot, water.
Skin health is also maintained through a healthy lifestyle. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as consuming at least two liters of liquids daily, supports skin well-being.
Caring for damaged skin
The treatment of lesions depends on the needs of the skin and the severity of the wound. However, there are a few steps that apply to most skin lesions:
the wound must be cleaned with water or an antiseptic, which will help remove microbial agents;
after the area has been thoroughly cleaned, the wound will be covered with a dressing;
in the case of certain lesions, underlying blood vessels can be perforated, leading to significant blood loss. In this situation, direct pressure is applied to the wound to stop the blood flow, then the area is covered with a sterile dressing. Clean dressings are added on top if the first one becomes soaked with blood.
Dermatocosmetic products can accelerate the healing process of minor lesions, caused, for example, by exposure to allergenic factors or ultraviolet rays. For abrasions, burns, or superficial cuts, products from Ivatherm's Cicaderm range can be the solution for anyone.
Ivatherm products for damaged skin:
Cicaderm Barrier Cream with Mimosa Tenuiflora – isolates, repairs, and protects skin accidentally or constantly exposed to irritating or allergenic substances. Recommended for irritations caused by chemicals used in household or industrial activities, and irritations caused by cosmetic products, dyes, as well as various atmospheric pollutants.
Cicaderm Repairing Cream with Mimosa Tenuiflora – helps in the rapid healing of skin lesions and reduces the risk of scar formation. Applied immediately to the lesion, it stops bleeding, reduces inflammation, and helps reconstruct skin integrity.
Cicaderm Spray with Mimosa Tenuiflora – quickly repairs wet skin lesions, hard-to-reach areas, or areas that cannot withstand touching, with intense antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Also, to soothe irritated skin and deeply hydrate it, Herculane Thermal Water Spraycan be used, beneficial for all skin types.
Traumatized skin heals at different rates, depending on individual and environmental factors, which include:
the overall health of the injured person;
age – mature skin repairs itself at a slower rate than young skin;
immune system function;
nutrition – the skin needs adequate nutrition to recover;
pre-existing medical conditions, such as some types of vascular diseases.
When it comes to serious injuries, professional medical support is recommended to avoid infection and stop bleeding.
In case of infections, the healing time may be longer. Some people are at higher risk of infection and may require professional support. These include;
those with a weakened immune system (e.g., due to chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer);
those taking medications that dry and fragile the skin;
those taking medications that slow blood clotting;
those suffering from diabetes.
The body begins to repair a wound immediately, but the process can take days, weeks, months, or even years, depending on the severity of the injury. The skin is exposed daily to risks of injury, therefore adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and a correct care routine, is necessary to support skin healing. At the same time, protective measures, such as using creams with SPF and appropriate equipment for the activities performed, limit the risk of serious injuries.
Conținutul IvaStories este creat de echipa Ivatherm, brand romanesc de dermatocosmetice fondat de Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu. Produsele Ivatherm sunt formulate cu Apă Termală Herculane și sunt testate dermatologic, recomandate de medici specialiști.
All about caring for injured skin: types of wounds, risk factors and treatment
Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is soft and smooth to allow body movement, but tough and resilient enough to withstand harmful factors that can damage it. The texture, thickness, and size of the skin vary depending on its location on the body and the pressures it is subjected to.
Every day, the skin has to cope with numerous internal (intrinsic) and environmental (extrinsic) factors that can affect its structure, causing various skin lesions. It is, therefore, constantly at risk of injury, but it has this amazing ability to heal itself.
A lesion is damage to the body. It is a general term referring to injuries caused by accidents, falls, blows, weapons, and insect stings. Skin wounds range from minor ones that heal on their own to those that can be life-threatening if not properly cared for.
Some people are at higher risk of injury due to their age, health condition, activities they perform, or other factors.
Contents
Types of skin lesions
Skin traumas are injuries to the skin. These can take several forms:
Damaged skin: risk factors
Certain categories of people are more prone to skin lesions, due to both internal and external factors.
Damaged skin: prevention methods
Attention is the main method of preventing skin wounds. From household tasks to professional activities, every action involves a risk of skin injury, but it is important to consider certain preventive measures.
First, creating a safe environment, especially if there are people at risk of injury nearby. At home, at school, at work, or in the playground, it is essential to clearly mark hard or rough objects that pose a higher risk of impact, and glossy surfaces where there is a risk of slipping should be covered with non-slip materials. At the same time, it is important that areas are well lit and electrical cables are not visible.
When performing daily tasks, it is good to protect the skin, especially that of the hands. Thus, it is recommended to wear gloves when transferring hot food, and to use finger protection when slicing food.
Another necessary measure to avoid skin lesions is to protect the body during activities with a risk of injury. For example, for cycling or motorcycling, special protective equipment is required.
Avoiding tight clothing or jewelry that could damage the skin by friction, and wearing wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved blouses to ensure sun protection, are other effective measures to prevent skin damage.
Last but not least, it is important to maintain skin health by:
Skin health is also maintained through a healthy lifestyle. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as consuming at least two liters of liquids daily, supports skin well-being.
Caring for damaged skin
The treatment of lesions depends on the needs of the skin and the severity of the wound. However, there are a few steps that apply to most skin lesions:
Dermatocosmetic products can accelerate the healing process of minor lesions, caused, for example, by exposure to allergenic factors or ultraviolet rays. For abrasions, burns, or superficial cuts, products from Ivatherm's Cicaderm range can be the solution for anyone.
Also, to soothe irritated skin and deeply hydrate it, Herculane Thermal Water Spray can be used, beneficial for all skin types.
Traumatized skin heals at different rates, depending on individual and environmental factors, which include:
When it comes to serious injuries, professional medical support is recommended to avoid infection and stop bleeding.
In case of infections, the healing time may be longer. Some people are at higher risk of infection and may require professional support. These include;
The body begins to repair a wound immediately, but the process can take days, weeks, months, or even years, depending on the severity of the injury. The skin is exposed daily to risks of injury, therefore adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and a correct care routine, is necessary to support skin healing. At the same time, protective measures, such as using creams with SPF and appropriate equipment for the activities performed, limit the risk of serious injuries.
Resources:
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/skin-cuts-and-abrasions
https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/skin-injury/
https://medlineplus.gov/woundsandinjuries.html
https://www.woundscanada.ca/docman/public/patient-or-caregiver/1826-home-safe-managing-skin-injuries-minor-trauma-1946e/file
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17505244/
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/injuries/skin-injuries/cuts-and-grazes
Echipa Ivatherm
Conținutul IvaStories este creat de echipa Ivatherm, brand romanesc de dermatocosmetice fondat de Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu. Produsele Ivatherm sunt formulate cu Apă Termală Herculane și sunt testate dermatologic, recomandate de medici specialiști.