• CDC
  • Heart Failure
  • Cardiovascular Clinical Consult
  • Adult Immunization
  • Hepatic Disease
  • Rare Disorders
  • Pediatric Immunization
  • Implementing The Topcon Ocular Telehealth Platform
  • Weight Management
  • Screening
  • Monkeypox
  • Guidelines
  • Men's Health
  • Psychiatry
  • Allergy
  • Nutrition
  • Women's Health
  • Cardiology
  • Substance Use
  • Pediatrics
  • Kidney Disease
  • Genetics
  • Complimentary & Alternative Medicine
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Oral Medicine
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
  • Pain
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Geriatrics
  • Infection
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Obesity
  • Rheumatology
  • Technology
  • Cancer
  • Nephrology
  • Anemia
  • Neurology
  • Pulmonology

Ecchymoses and Erosion on Fragile Skin

Article

These wounds occurred when this 77-year-old woman fell when chasing her dog. Such wounds-a combination of ecchymoses and erosion caused by blunt and sheering forces on fragile skin-are common in the elderly, even after relatively mild trauma. Simple interventions will promote healing.

A 77-year-old woman presented for treatment of wounds she suffered when she fell to the sidewalk 2 days earlier while chasing after her dog.

Key point: These types of wounds are common among the elderly, even following relatively minor trauma. She presents with a combination of ecchymoses and erosion due to a combination of blunt force and sheering force exerted on fragile skin.

Treatment: Inquire about pain or limited range of motion, which might suggest a minor fracture. The ecchymoses can be treated by intermittent application of cold (crushed ice in a plastic sandwich bag for 5 to 10 minutes an hour). However, this is most effective during the immediate post-traumatic period. The eroded areas should be covered with an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and to promote a moist healing environment. The area should not be covered with a bandage, because the adhesive will lead to further skin tearing on removal.

Note: Keep interventions simple and practical. Given time, this would will heal very nicely without complex, time-consuming measures.

Related Videos
Infectious disease specialist talks about COVID-19 vaccine development
COVID 19 impact on healthcare provider mental health
Physician mental health expert discusses impact of COVID-19 on health care workers
Related Content
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.