I’m sorry to hear about your amputation. As an amputee as well as a personal injury attorney, I know that skin care is essential for good health as well as mobility. Prosthetic sockets can trap sweat, and prevent air from circulating around the residual limb, which can lead to infections. If left untreated, infections can cause irritation and eventually skin breakdown, which can prevent you from using the prosthesis for a period of time.
However, there are steps you can take to avoid a problem with the prosthesis. Firsts, keep the limb clean and dry. It should be thoroughly dried before wearing the prosthesis or else fungus could begin growing. Everything that comes into contact with your skin should be washed and rinsed well, such as liners, socks, and sockets. If the limb is too sweaty, you may wish to use antiperspirant. Finally, you should not shave the limb or expose it to the sun without sunscreen.
If you take steps to prevent skin breakdown and blisters, they are much less likely to occur. You still need to check for them. Ask your doctor about the best way to treat blisters and skin breakdown. You may also get skin rashes. Some amputees prefer to use diaper rash cream or a light dusting of powder (although you should ask your doctor before using the powder. If your skin does have a breakdown, talk to your doctor right away.
As a new amputee, it is likely that you have a great deal on your mind related to the amputation. If your amputation was caused by another party’s wrongful actions, such as an automobile accident, you should speak with an attorney. You may have legal rights to pursue. If you wait too long, you may lose some of those rights.
Call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Attorney, at 310-385-0567 if you have any legal questions related to your amputation. I am not only a personal injury attorney, I am also an amputee. Call today to learn more.