Main Causes of Skin Disorder

No matter how hard you try to prevent them, sores and abrasions can occur for numerous reasons: the pressure of the socket against the stump causes trauma to the skin and tissue; perspiration builds up in the socket causing friction which leads to abrasions; sockets may be made of materials that are irritants to the body (i.e. cause allergic reactions); and the warm, moist environment of the socket is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that can cause skin problems.These issues are dealt with in depth in other sections.As amputees we must deal with these issues or we will end up uncomfortable. Skin problems could even prevent us from being able to wear our artificial limbs at all, until the condition has healed.

Heat and Perspiration
Let’s look at why the human body perspires. Perspiration is the means through which the body controls its temperature. When the weather is hot or as we carry out activities extra heat is generated by the body. Our perspiration contains solids which accumulate in the socket of an artificial limb and on the residual limb. These solids, combined with the warm, moist environment within the socket, make an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. A strict daily hygiene routine is necessary to prevent the numerous skin complaints that can arise as a result of the environment within the prosthetic socket. As perspiration builds up within a socket it can also lead to the stump “pistoning” or moving around within the socket, which in turn can chafe the skin and cause abrasions. Do amputees really perspire more than individuals who are not amputees?
Yes they do and the reasons are varied. There is no way to totally eliminate the issues with perspiration, but some practical ideas might help control it so that it does not become a real problem.

Bacteria
Bacteria and tiny organisms are everywhere, including on the skin. Some of these are harmless, while others can cause infection in the proper circumstances. Normal skin expels bacteria through the process of evaporation of sweat, and also by releasing special fatty acids from glands on its surface. However drying can’t occur in the moist environment of an enclosed socket. Also normal skin has a negative charge which repels bacteria, but an amputee’s skin, when bathed in salty solutions (such as perspiration) for long periods, can develop a positive charge which can attract more bacteria than would otherwise be present. Hygiene becomes doubly important in these circumstances where the number of potentially infection-causing germs has increased beyond the skin’s normal capacity.