Prosthetic Hygiene
You should wash your residual limb on a daily basis to help prevent the accumulation of bacteria or development of cysts or pimples. Simply wash your residual limb with warm water and a mild soap. The soap should be fragrance free to prevent any skin irritation. A good soap to start with is the same brand you use to wash the rest of your body with. If this does not work for you, consult your physician or a dermatologist for other recommendations. Always be sure to rinse thoroughly and remove any residual soap from your limb.
When drying, try to pat with a towel rather than rubbing the limb. While this action is soothing to some people’s limbs, it is irritating to others.
During this process you should check your skin for any abnormalities such as redness, blisters or anything that is otherwise abnormal to you. Any signs of prolonged redness or soreness should be reported to your healthcare provider right away. Early identification of problems tends to result in less complications. If something does not appear to be normal, always ask a professional.