Can anyone suggest elbow/ forearm protection for paper thin skin in this area?

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Can anyone suggest elbow/ forearm protection for paper thin skin in this area?

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Can anyone suggest an easy to use, not too tight, forearm and elbow protector that could be worn comfortably most of the day. My (81) year old wife , with Alzheimer’s, has skin in this area that is tissue paper thin. More than once, it has rubbed against something, sometimes me, and the top layer just peels off. VERY slow to heal after such occurrences.

Bed Sores Senior Health Skin Care

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There used to be a product called heelbows that we used in my hospital years ago. Like socks with no bottom they slipped over. I have seen people USE socks on people with very thin arms, cut the toe on and slip them over. This was a huge problem for all of us, one we never found an answer to. We would put something on and it would come off with bending and activity almost at once. Things would be too tight or too loose. Patients were using elbows and heel to try to move up and down, sheet were so harshly washed that they were like sandpaper, and the skin so fragile.I hope someone has good ideas for you.

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Hi BigJimM, moisturizing twice a day with a quality moisturizer might help. Also avoid soaps that might be drying. Dove is a good moisturizing soap. Good luck.

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We have had the same problem with mom who gets bruise and her skin tears from having to be helped with a Hoyer Lift. We had the nurses use the tubular tubing that is normally used from the legs. This helped the bruising.

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Lotions won't help the "onion skin" that elders have. All my husband did was lift Moms feet up to lower the chair and tore the skin. Its not fro dryness its just what happens as we age. Mom used to bump her hands on tables scooting around in her wheelchair. They had long gloves that went over the hand up to the elbow. The thumb and fingers were cut out. The tubular tubing would be great. They use this to make hats for newborns. All you need to do is cut a hole for the thumb. Helps keep them on better.

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When my bedridden husband developed a sore on his elbow, Hospice ordered a padded heel raiser(protector) that worked beautifully for his elbow and forearm, It's very heavily padded, light blue in color and it's from Medline. Here's the number that I got off it, in case you want to order. MDT823296.

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Check with a medical supply store, my mom has thin skin and it does not take much for bruising and torn skin to occur. I use heel and elbow protectors. I also use a thick type mitten for her hands at night.

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My father wore Posey SkinSleeves brand arm protectors. The kind he wore were non-compression and went from his hand to past his elbow. He had the same problem as your wife, very thin easily torn skin.

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I have an actual ALOE PLANT in my yard. I snap a piece weekly and take to my visit with my sister. I peel it and rub the gel over any scratch, etc. The healing power of this plant source is amazing. I also used it as a Camp Nurse for kids. Powerful!!!

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Is she drinking enough? Dehydration makes this worse.

"Tissue paper" skin is so fragile that the slightest shearing or knocking contact will tear it. There are all sorts of creams and lotions commonly in use but I'm not sure any makes much difference; and clothing the affected limb might just mean you don't see what's happening. If there is one in your area you might consult a specialist Wound Care nurse for recommendations.

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Are you able to use a skin treatment in addition to covering the skin?

We had some sort of moisturizer for my mom, which was very soothing and non-sticky.

When she entered residential care she learned to love the skin care given her there.

Very fine 100% knit cotton sweaters seemed to help a lot too.

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Land's End has thinner knit sweaters and often has sales:-)

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My dad had the same problem -- he'd brush up against the wall, and it'd be a bloodbath.

We never found anything to help, and no, moisturizers will not do anything. Obviously try to avoid putting band-aids on the tears, as the adhesive will tear the skin when you take it off.

I really like the idea below that suggests cutting the foot off socks to use as sleeves. I'd give that a try.

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There is a transparent dressing called Tegaderm, that is available by prescription, but I also found this over the counter brand. It is a clear skin covering. However I like the idea better of the Posey SkinSleeves. For showering though, the Tegaderm is waterproof and can be kept on. When I was a hospice volunteer, they kept them on patients for weeks at a time. Lotion will not help.

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These are great ideas for the immediate situation. Make sure your LO is getting enough protein in their diet. Eating pineapple helps the skin to heal, whether bruising or tearing.

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We (I am an RN) used to use tegaderm on skin tears but taking if off can sometimes cause another tear. Please consider any "long sleeve" type covering to protect her fragile skin. When she does have a skin tear, use triple antibiotic ointment, nonstick bandage pads, and rolled gauze to hold it in place. Avoid using anything adhesive right on the skin. Some folks like the "athletic tape" that sticks to itself, but I am not fan of tape going around a body part -- too concerned it may decrease blood circulation.

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There are SO many different kinds of tape out there now, and "athletic tape" is also known as one that has adhesive as strong as duct tape. The tape you are referring to, the name is escaping me in people terms, but in vet med it is known as vet rap. The adhesive is similar to that in a post it note, and while it could be applied tight, it can also hold looser I would think. But I do think keeping adhesive off of fragile skin is the best way to go. There also is great tape called KIND made by 3M that seems far more gentle and does not stick to hair...I discovered it after my 100 year old father had cataract surgery and had an IV and a nurse who thought the best way to take the tape off was to rip it off. It is not cheap, but by time he went back for the 2nd eye, fearful of the tape episode (in light of life-long hairy arms), I had it and they happily took it to use to secure the IV line.

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My 98 year old mother has thin skin and recently had a skin tear, caregiver grabbed her arm while getting her into bed, I told her skin is thin and fragile and to be very careful. RN dressed the skin tear with Xeroform Gauze Dressing so it would not stick to the wound, applied steri strips which help with closure of the wound, and a gauze wrap secured with paper tape on the gauze. It took about two weeks for healing to take place. We use a gait belt for protection with loops.

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like the heel bows there are sleeves that come with a padded portion for the elbow. You may find it online oder that same category. Try a company called bio trust

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Easiest would be fore her to always wear long sleeves soft and breathable materal 100% Cotton if possible.

If she can't wear long-sleeved then She could always wear a 100% Cotton lightweight sweater over her clothes.

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Our mother had very thin skin especially on her arms. What I used on her elbows. I cut a white sock the tube part and slipped them up her arms. This was very helpful.
Its very important to be careful when you help your loved one get to their feet. Put your hands on their elbows and have them grab your arms at your elbows.
Hope this is helpful. 🌸❤️🌸

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check with a nursing home, they might be able to offer some suggestions. When my dad was in the home, they would sometimes have his arms and/or legs with some kind of covering to keep the skin from being rubbed off. it was not tight but enough to stay in place. hopefully someone else might know the actual stuff it is called. wishing you luck.

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Is she in a wheelchair? If so, you can get sheepskin covers for the arms. Keep her skin moisturized too, it helps.

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I posed the original question here and I want to personally thank each and every answer. Most were very helpful. We moisturize my wife every morning but that doesn’t prevent the layer under the skin from going away with age.
The person that said long sleeve shirts might only hide the problem is absolutely correct. My wife’s latest tear occurred during the course of her day and we didn’t see it until getting her ready for bed that night.
But she does wear long sleeves anyway-for one, she always preferred long sleeves so I keep it that way, and two, we use loose fitting polyester moisture wicking athletic tee shirts from JoesUSA.com and they aren’t hot even here in Houston.
I followed the advice to use thick cotton tube socks with the toe cut out, at least temporarily, until I can check out the Posey Arm Skin protectors.
I’ll also second the suggestion of the use of Tegaderm once you have a wound. That can be purchased in 2” x 11yd rolls on Amazon at a fraction of the drug store price. It is amazing and can actually be applied over open wounds, per my wife’s wound care doctor, but on small wounds he recommended using Ferris’ polyderm foam pad, then hold on place with Tegaderm. And as someone pointed out, it stays in place with washing, etc and really does not tear even fragile areas if removed very slowly and holding the skin down underneath with your other hand. The Tegaderm is like a second skin. It is an extremely thin film. This combo has allowed two pressure sores that she had to heal very nicely.
And while I’m on a roll, since we went to the ROHO air seat cushions and an alternating low pressure air mattress topper ( made by Drive and costs less than $100) we have had no more pressure sores. Her wound care doctor said the alternating pressure mattress topper/ whisper quiet air pump system is the absolute best way to prevent pressure sores in bed.
Thanks again for all the good answers.
Big Jim M

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I have the same exact problem and I am on blood thinners which makes it even worse. Go and buy EUCARIN SKIN LOTION - EXTENSIVE REPAIR FOR DRY SKIN. All the doctors recommend it and if you put it on several times a day, it will help. good luck.

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Long sleeves, moisturize and cotton gloves to seep in. She may be scratching her arms unconsciously or in her sleep. Moisturize as a ritual every night and morning. Unfortunately thin skin is inevitable. When she bumps herself she may get blood blisters that break easily. I covered them with Tegaderm pads until they heal.
good luck
sabrina

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I don't know if it would help you or not as everyone's skin is different. My husband uses a sleeve with a hole for fingers and one for his thumb. They are yellow Kevlar cut resistant sleeves 22 inches long. They are designed to help people who work in the industry. He gets them from MSC at mscdirect.com part number 89704522.

It just dawned on me that maybe I shouldn't mention where they come from. But, they are industrial, not medical so I thought people might not know where to get them.

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Cut the foot off of some soft socks and put them on the arms.

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We use what is called Geri sleeved for arms. They come in different sizes. The are like long sleeves. They can be purchased on Amazon or medical direct supplier.

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Knit elbow protectors can be found on elder supply sites. I know what you are referencing about paper thin skin as I, too, take a long time to heal with from skin bruises.

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Sometimes the skin gets too dry and it's prone to tear. Use a good moisturiser and protect with loose sleeves (only don't pull them out, just roll them).

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Not sure what to do for prevention, but we’ve used a product from nexcare called tegaderm to cover injuries like that on my 97 year old mother’s arms. It’s a clear, waterproof bandage. It stayed on during showers and allowed the skin to heal underneath. (Someone told me they use that type of bandage on fresh tattoos. )

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Can anyone suggest elbow/ forearm protection for paper thin skin in this area?

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