Prosthetic Care - Wearing Prosthetics In The Summer
Wearing Prosthetics In The Summer
Summer months are getting hotter each year.
And if you're thinking of spending a day at the beach or lounging by the
swimming pool, you are not exempt from some skin and prosthesis-related
problems that are commonly prevalent during the hot and humid season. So, we'd
like to help you keep your vacations fun by exercising a bit of caution to
prevent discomfort and even jeopardizing your mobility.
In this article, we’ll help you prepare to
make the most out of the remaining hot season while also staying clear of
season-related skin and prosthetic problems.
1. Heat-related illnesses
Before we delve deeper into the most common
skin and prosthetic problems you may encounter this summer, we feel that we
must talk about season-related illness such as heat stroke (a.k.a. sunstroke),
heat cramps, and heat exhaustion. Taking care of your body works best when it’s
done from the inside out.
The body is designed to cool itself down
under extreme or prolonged heat by sweating; however, it also has its limits.
When you wear a prosthesis, part of your "radiator" or ability to
cool yourself through your skin is covered by the socket. When the body is no
longer capable of cooling itself, it raises the body temperature to dangerously
high levels and leads to heat stroke.
Meanwhile, heat exhaustion happens when the
body’s temperature rises and starts to lose water or salt. Some of the symptoms
you have to watch out for include muscle cramps, fatigue, feeling faint,
intense thirst, and heavy sweating, among others.
However, if you lead an active lifestyle, you
may be susceptible to heat cramps, a condition that is believed to be caused by
excessive activity, causing muscles to lose the ability to regulate its
contractions.
While it may seem that one cannot escape from
these heat-related illnesses especially this summer, the good news is that you
can avoid it. Do your best to keep out of the sun between 11 am and 3 pm.
Within this time window, the sun is at its hottest and, therefore, at its most
dangerous. But if you have to go out in the heat, make sure to apply sunscreen
with at least SPF 30 to 50. You may also want to bring an umbrella or wear a
hat and a light scarf. And, most of all, keep yourself well hydrated.
2. Sweating
Excessive sweating, especially when you’re
just going about your day, can be a hassle. But aside from being generally
uncomfortable, sweating can cause additional movements within the socket that
can lead to painful blisters.
Also, heavy perspiration can sometimes lead
to loss of suspension in your prosthesis. When you’re drenched in sweat, it’s
not uncommon to feel your liner slowly moving downward.
Sweating per se cannot be avoided, but you
can make your prosthesis fit more reliably by using an antiperspirant
like Alps Prosthetic Anti-Perspirant. To make your
prosthesis fit snugly, use prosthetic socks that are designed to wick away
moisture from your skin such as Knit-Rite Liner-Liner Prosthetic Socks. It’s also best to carry a small supply of socks with you so you can
quickly change into fresh socks any time you feel the need to freshen up.
3. Dry, irritated skin
Dryness and irritation can afflict your skin
whether in the middle of winter or on the hottest summer day. The latter’s hot
and humid air can strip away essential oils that keep skin moisturized.
However, the summer air is not solely responsible for drying and irritating the
skin around your residual limb. Using prosthetic liners and piling on the socks
can aggravate the heat and humidity inside your socket so you might want to lay
low on these products for a while.
If it’s already too late for your dry and
irritated skin, you may want to try these tips:
·
Take showers and
baths in warm water. Compared to hot water, warm water can be soothing for your
irritated skin.
·
Wash your residual
limb using a mild cleanser, and watch out for products that are labeled
“antibacterial” or contain too much fragrance. These products can quickly dry
your skin.
·
Make moisturizing
a habit. Even during hot summer days, it’s important to slather on
fragrance-free prosthetic moisturizer after every shower and bath. Moisturizer
combats the drying effect of summer air by trapping water effectively in your
skin. To ensure the effectivity of your moisturizer, apply it within 5 minutes
of taking a shower or bath.
·
Moisturize
on-the-go. Bringing a small bottle of moisturizer with you allows you to
re-apply after washing your hands or anytime your skin starts to feel parched during
the day. Trust us. Your skin will thank you.
4. Using excessive socks
“Volume loss” either through water loss or
actual weight loss is typical during the summer, which means your prosthesis
may feel a tad looser. While using layers of socks may seem like the best
option, it can also open a whole host of friction-related problems.
Furthermore, the extra layers can reduce your range of motion and cause uneven
pressure within your socket.
When layering socks below-knee (BK) amputees
can experience looseness along the bottom of the sock and excessive tightness
along the knee. Meanwhile, above-knee (AK) amputees usually experience a
feeling of “sloppiness” within their socket.
Despite these problems, the good news is that
you don’t have to suffer from loose sockets due to volume loss. One solution is
to use calibrate gel pads or
a gel roll-on. These
products can tighten your socket without increasing your sock ply count.
If you’re suffering from chafing in some
regions of your residual limb, immediately treat the area with a prosthetic salve or an
anti-chafe product. If you’d like to read up on how losing weight affects your prosthesis, click on the hyperlink.
5. Folliculitis
Folliculitis develops when hair follicles get
infected. Infected hair follicles develop to look like pimples or rashes, which
are often itchy and tender. While folliculitis can strike no matter what the
season, the incidence rises during the hot summer months. The hot and humid
weather combined with sloppy hygiene practices creates the perfect opportunity
for infections.
To reduce your risk of getting folliculitis,
you need to practice not only good hygiene but also be cautious about anything
that comes in contact with your skin.
·
Beat those pesky
bacteria by making sure to wipe your prosthetic liner and applying fresh socks
right after working out. Forgetting to do these creates the perfect breeding
ground for staph bacteria to do their job.
·
If you shave, you
may want to avoid shaving your residual limb to reduce the chances of infecting
any hair follicle.
·
Dipping into
refreshing pools may seem irresistible during this season, but it’s best to
stay out of hot tubs or whirlpools especially if you’re unsure if the chlorine
levels are appropriately controlled. You may have come across a condition
called “hot tub folliculitis” which is acquired from—you guessed it—unsanitary
hot tubs.
6. Prickly heat (a.k.a. heat rash)
Prickly heat is an unpleasant skin condition
that plagues those who sweat a lot. These prickly rashes (hence, the name)
develop when sweat glands are blocked. As long as the trapped sweat cannot get
out, it builds up under your skin, causing tiny, itchy bumps that release sweat
when they burst.
You can reduce your risk of developing these
troublesome bumps by doing everything you can to stay cool and fresh. But since
we can’t avoid sweating this summer, most dermatologists recommend the
following:
·
Use an
antiperspirant. If you’re a prosthesis-wearer, use a prosthetic antiperspirant
to keep your residual limb prickly heat-free.
·
If you exercise
outdoors, do so during the coolest parts of the day, which means moving your
workout schedule to early mornings, late afternoons, or early evenings. You can
also choose to train indoors where there is air conditioning, such as most gyms
and fitness studios.
·
Make sure to keep
your residual limb clean and hydrated at all times. For a midday refresh,
cleansing wipes and a small bottle of moisturizer can do the trick.
But if you are already suffering from prickly
heat, wash the affected area in warm water and with a mild cleanser. Then treat
the area by applying cortisone cream. Make sure to choose cream over ointment
for its non-clogging formula.
7. Swimmer’s itch
Another skin problem you may encounter this
summer is the swimmer’s itch, which can be acquired by swimming in water
infested by the larvae of certain parasites. They thrive in freshwaters such as
ponds and lakes. Telltale signs that you are infected is developing an itchy
rash after being exposed to infested water.
The good news is that you can reduce the risk
of developing swimmer’s itch by briskly rubbing your skin with a towel as soon
as you get out of the water. Unlike other parasites which can begin the process
of infection while the host is still in the water, the ones responsible for
swimmer’s itch only start to work their way in when the water on your skin
begins evaporating.
However, if you find that your skin stings
when you rub it briskly, you may have something else.
8. Seabather’s eruption
Seabather’s eruption is a rash that affects
areas of the skin that are covered by a bathing suit. These rashes are
caused by the sting of a jellyfish, which can be impossible to avoid when
you’re in the water. Symptoms of this skin problem can be immediately felt. If
you’re infected, you’ll notice a tingling sensation in areas under your bathing
suit, and it can last for several weeks.
Aside from avoiding seawater, there aren’t a
lot of ways to prevent seabather’s eruption. If you think you have been
infected, avoid rinsing with freshwater as this can only make the larvae cling
to your skin. Immediately pat dry with a towel and change into clean clothes.
To treat the area, apply hydrocortisone lotion or calamine lotion.
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