Skin care Do’s & Don’ts – Post Amputation

Right after amputation there is a big list of things that one must take care of. We’ve mentioned this before, but limb care and skin care are essential for an amputee’s health and mobility. A new stump post amputation is volatile and it is in our hands to prevent the changes that may occur. In the next 3-6 months there’ll be stump fluctuations, prosthetic testing, learning how to walk, run etc. 

Let’s take a concise look at the Do’s and Don’ts you need to follow : 

DO’s 

• DO change your dressings as informed by your nurse
• DO wash your residual limb daily with skin friendly, unscented soap & lukewarm water, once healed
• DO use a soft towel to pat your stump dry
• DO examine your skin every day under a good light and use a mirror for the back and sides.
• DO bandage your stump regularly to ensure the stability in stump volume post amputation
• DO reach out to your surgeon/physician in case of any discomfort 
• DO start looking for artificial legs that are ideal for you

DON’Ts

• DON’T remove scabs by yourself
• DON’T soak your stump in water for a long period of time
• DON’T use a new lotion/cream on your stump without prior consultation
• DON’T shave your skin else it may cause irritation
• DON’T keep your stump inactive i.e. without exercises throughout the day 
• DON’T try to google solutions if any redness/scabs start aggravating 
• DON’T dangle your stump off the bed or couch for long periods of time

Apart from these, do follow our One Stop Guide for Every Amputee, for a detailed insight! 

If you’re looking for a new device, interested in free test fitting, confused if a new socket will be the right fit, or any other queries accordingly. This is the time to reach out to us and try a test socket free of cost. Step it up with Instalimb – Contact us today!