How the Skin Works

The body’s skin is a resilient, elastic covering, which is able to repair itself after injury, and shore up weaker areas that endure additional wear. It will thicken, or form callouses in response to repeated stress – amputees notice this at areas where the socket of the artificial limb causes pressure.

The skin helps regulate body temperature by producing sweat, which evaporates and cools the body. Amputees deal with several issues when it comes to how the body regulates temperature. Amputees have a reduced skin surface due to the missing limb(s) making the body’s natural cooling system less efficient. The residual limb may get wet with perspiration because it is enclosed within the socket and air does not reach it – this perspiration cannot naturally evaporate from the skin surface. As well, the amputee uses more energy to get around than than those without amputations which naturally will increase the body’s temperature, and thus, perspiration. These issues are dealt with in depth in other sections.