Chafing Cream: What Is It and How to Use It

Written by Bryan Potok, CPO on May 28, 2018
Last updated on October 23, 2018

Wearing a prosthesis can cause chafing, especially when sweat and friction come into play. However, there is an easy way to help prevent or heal chafing, providing you with added comfort when wearing a prosthesis.

Chafing cream is used to prevent chafed skin and blisters from rubbing.

What Is Chafing Cream?

Chafing cream, or anti-chafing cream, is a body lubricant that helps ease dry or damaged skin caused by friction. Its main ingredient is dimethicone, a non-toxic silicone with properties that make it extremely popular in today's skin care products or regimens. This silicone-based polymer provides smooth application and creates a slick surface while creating a protective barrier, leaving skin hydrated for longer.

Why Should You Use It?

Chafing creams proactively prevent skin breakage within a prosthesis, which help you stay comfortable when walking. They also help ease discomfort by preventing friction and keeping bacterial build up at bay, so you can focus more on life and your daily activities without having to think about the discomfort chafing causes.

Is Chafing Cream for You?

Definitely! Chafing creams are a staple for amputees, as they help prevent and alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of chafing. There are plenty of different chafing creams in the market to suit your skin type or level of chafing, and it’s only a matter of finding the best one for you.

Where Can You Apply It?

Where to apply chafing cream as an amputee. Because they're silicone-based, chafing creams can be applied literally anywhere. Identify the hotspots or areas on your residual limb that experience an uncomfortable, burning sensation. Most below-knee (BK) amputees tend to apply it on their knee cap or along the front, as well as on their hamstring tendons. Above-knee (AK) amputees on the other hand, tend to apply it along their upper inner thighs or along their distal femur.

How Do You Use Chafing Cream?

Feel free to apply a generous amount or however much you need. We suggest squeezing out a good-sized dollop, warming it in your hands, and applying it directly to your residual limb.

Due to the thick consistency of chafe cream, you will need to wash it off thoroughly at the end of the day. Make sure to rinse it all off at night before sleeping to ensure your skin can breathe and avoid excess residue from building up. Afterwards, it would be best to apply a prosthetic moisturizer to rehydrate your skin after washing.

Still uncertain which chafing cream is best for you? Here are some of the best chafing creams available in the prosthetic market