Prosthetic Cleansers, A Primer
At the end of an 8 hour workday we know that all you want to do is relax at home, but before you get comfortable there's one thing you have to do: wash your limb and prosthetic supplies to get rid of the day's sweat, dirt, and oil buildup. Great hygiene is essential to the health of your skin, and skin cleansers are the foundation of your daily skin care routine. Prosthetic cleansers are designed to remove sweat and dirt from not only your limb, but your prosthetic liners and below knee sleeves as well.
When choosing a cleanser, there are several things to keep in mind. First, you should look for a cleanser that will work naturally with your skin type: dry, oily, sensitive, or a combination. If you have dry skin, for example, you should look for a creamy cleanser that will infuse the skin with moisture. The skin on your limb is also sensitive and should be treated with care.
A soothing, non-irritating cleanser is:
Gentle
For people with sensitive skin, soap and fragrance are common irritants, and often cause dryness. A good prosthetic cleanser is soap free, fragrance free, water-soluble, and non-alkaline.
Easy to rinse away
A good cleanser should rinse off easily without stripping away your skin's natural oils. It should be strong enough to remove dirt and perspiration, yet gentle enough to leave some moisture behind.
pH balanced
A product that is pH balanced works with skin's natural acidity to keep it strong, healthy, and less vulnerable to skin disorders and other health problems.
OK for use on both liners & limbs
Check the liner manufacturer's recommendations before use, but many prosthetic cleansers that are safe for the skin are also OK to use with common prosthetic liner materials like gel, urethane and silicone.
*Once you have the right prosthetic cleanser, you have to use it right - and regularly! Your limb should be cleansed each day with clean, warm water. After rinsing thoroughly, pat your skin dry with an absorbent towel. Allowing around 15 minutes more for air drying is a good way to make sure your skin is totally dry before applying the prosthesis. Damp skin may swell inside the socket, causing you discomfort. If you're under time constraints than you may want to consider a Prosthetic Refreshing Shower Wipe.
Your skin should feel clean, soft, and healthy after cleansing with a product specially formulated for amputees. Making a good prosthetic cleanser a regular part of your skin care routine is a simple but effective way to care your limb.
