You have an amputation, you're fully healed from the surgery and you're ready to rock your first prosthetic. Now this may not be as applicable or relevant to someone with an arm or hand prosthetic, but I'm not 100% sure because that's not the type of amputation we deal with in our house (BKA in case you're curious and didn't know). You may still find what I'm going to share helpful still, just because it's for overall skin health too.
Anyway, moving on. You've begun your physical therapy (PT) and are starting to walk again. Congratulations! However your body and skin are not used to all this new stuff; socks, liners, sleeves, sockets, crutches, etc. Who cares, you're walking! The reality is that even though you're super excited about baby stepping your way back to your new normal your skin is starting to disagree and fight back at the new introductions.
The first time at home my hubby was walking!
This is the story of how we entered Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Lavender and Copaiba essential oils into Steve's nightly routine to treat his residual limb (aka stump). Every night when Steve takes off his prosthetic leg I massage a blend of those three oils along with some fractionated coconut oil all over the stump. These oils are wonderful for our skin. In addition, like I mentioned in last weeks blog we also use Correct-X on any particularly bad spots.
Let's discuss these oils in a little more depth to understand why we use them. First Melaleuca: it holds a myriad of skin care uses - renowned for its cleansing and rejuvenating effect on the skin, impacts various processes and functions in human cells, including tissue remodeling and metabolism. Second Lavender: commonly used to speed up the healing process of wounds and improve formation of scar tissue, and soothes occasional skin irritations. Last is Copaiba: soothe anxious feelings, promote clear/smooth skin, calm and support nervous system*.
I'll probably do a post on Copaiba in the future to highlight this oil, but all I'll say right now is that getting this one on your skin and/or in your body daily is going to do your body wonders.
Please don't hesitate to
reach out with specific questions or needs.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.