When worn properly, your child will be wearing their spinal brace daily for most of the day. Your child’s skin and the brace need to be kept clean in order to prevent the growth of bacteria and skin breakdown.
Skin Care
It is very important to prevent skin breakdown (sore, red, raw skin). Skin breakdown can lead to pain or infection. To prevent skin breakdown and severe irritation, the skin under the brace needs to be toughened up, especially where the brace provides the greatest pressure. Your child’s skin should be looked at closely every time the brace is removed.
To protect the skin:
- Have your child take a bath or shower every day.
- Make sure your child always wears a close-fitting, 100% cotton undershirt (tubular knit) without side seams against their skin. A T-shirt can also be worn inside out so that the side seems are not against their skin.
- Your child should wear the brace with the straps at the marked spots. If the brace is worn loosely, it will move around and cause more skin problems.
- A clean, fresh undershirt should be worn at least once per day. In warm weather, it is advisable to change it two to four times per day, depending on how heavily your child sweats. The drier the undershirt is kept, the more comfortable your child will be.
To toughen the skin:
- With consistent daily wear, your child’s skin should toughen up on its own.
- Do not use creams, lotions or powder under the brace. They soften the skin.
To monitor the skin:
- Each time the brace is removed, check your child’s skin right away for redness. If the redness lasts longer than half an hour, keep a close watch on these areas for bruising, purple discoloration, open sores or blisters. At the first sign of these symptoms, call your child’s orthotist right away. Do not wait until their skin is raw or bleeding.
- If the skin breaks down and becomes sore, red or raw, your child should not wear the brace until the skin heals. This will take one day or more. If this happens, call your child’s orthotist right away. The problem may be solved over the phone. Do not use creams, powder or lotions. If irritation persists, call your child’s spine specialist or primary care provider.
- Sometimes the skin over the waist and hips gets darker. When the brace treatment is over, your child’s skin will return to normal.
- Your child should continue their skin care regimen even after they are comfortable in the brace.
- Make an earlier clinic appointment if your child’s brace or skin problems continue.
Cleaning and caring for the brace
The hard-plastic outer shell and the inner soft plastic foam must be cleaned every day. Use a cloth with antibacterial sanitizer to clean the lining, then wipe the lining thoroughly with a damp cloth. Make sure all the sanitizer is wiped off the inside, as it could cause skin irritation. Clean the hard-plastic outer shell with a damp cloth as needed.
A terry towel can help dry the brace. The brace will dry by itself in 20 to 30 minutes. If the brace is needed sooner, a blow dryer set on cool can be used to dry it in five to 10 minutes.
Never submerge the brace in water or put it under the tap when cleaning. If your child’s brace has metal and/or leather parts, make sure they do not get wet.
Do not leave the brace in very hot sun, in a hot car during the summer, or by a warm radiator. The plastic may soften and lose its shape.
