Skin tears, a common yet often overlooked health risk for older Canadians, are finally getting the attention they deserve thanks to a Calgary-developed wound-care product. As Skin Tear Awareness Day approaches on April 9, a Calgary innovation company is urging families and caregivers to take minor wounds in seniors more seriously and act quickly when they occur.
Aging skin, which becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile, is particularly susceptible to skin tears. These injuries can happen during routine activities, such as brushing against a doorframe or reaching for an item on a shelf. According to Michele Smith of Nanotess, the company behind the wound-care gel NanoSALV Catalytic, skin tears affect up to half of seniors each year.
What makes this issue even more concerning is the slow healing process in seniors. A small skin tear can quickly become a serious problem if left untreated. Smith's personal experience with her father, who has experienced skin tears in his 70s, highlights the impact of these injuries on families in everyday settings.
To address this problem, Nanotess developed NanoSALV Catalytic, a wound-healing gel designed to manage minor skin injuries before they become more serious. The gel works on three levels: optimizing the body's natural healing process, reducing inflammation, and providing broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection to guard against infection.
Clinical results have shown that the product can accelerate healing by up to 54%, which is particularly meaningful for seniors whose skin may heal slowly. Smith emphasizes the importance of having this product on hand to prevent small wounds from becoming big problems.
The gel is widely used in senior care facilities across Canada and is also available for home use through pharmacies nationwide. In Alberta, the product can be covered under provincial public health benefit programs with a prescription, including coverage for seniors.
While treatment options are improving, Smith stresses that prevention remains the first line of defense. Wearing long sleeves and pants can protect fragile skin from accidental bumps or scrapes, and regular moisturizing and proper hydration can help maintain skin strength and elasticity.
Despite these precautions, skin tears remain common among older adults. Smith hopes that Skin Tear Awareness Day will encourage more families to pay attention to small wounds before they escalate. Addressing a minor tear quickly can prevent complications that could otherwise lead to infection, prolonged healing, or even hospitalization.
For more information about NanoSALV Catalytic, visit the Nanotess website, ask your local pharmacist, or speak to your healthcare provider.
