To protect the skin:

• Bathe or shower daily.
• Always wear a 100% cotton t-shirt or undershirt under the brace.  We also provide torso liners, which your insurance company may pay for.
• The skin will need frequent observation when the brace is first used (look for red marks).
• INITIALLY, DO NOT USE CREAMS OR LOTIONS under the brace.  If dry skin occurs, call your nurse or orthotist for suggestions.
• Report skin problems to your doctor, orthotist or nurse, who may suggest an alternate skin care technique.
• If you wear the brace loosely, it will move around and possibly rub against the skin, causing skin problems. WEAR YOUR BRACE AS TIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE.  It is the most effective and will cause the least amount of problems.
• Make an earlier clinic appointment if brace or skin problems continue.

If you experience a skin breakdown (sore, red, raw skin), the brace must be removed until the skin heals usually one day or more.  If this happens, call your orthotist. The problem might be solved over the phone.  Sometimes the skin over the waist and hips will get darker. This is common and is not a problem.  When the brace treatment is over, your skin will return to its normal color.

Cleaning the Brace
The hard plastic outer shell and the inner soft foam should be CLEANED AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A WEEK.  A cloth with water can be used to clean the lining, followed by a terry towel to help dry the foam.  The brace will dry itself in about 20 minutes.  If the brace is needed sooner, a hair drier on the coldest setting can be used to dry it in less time.  The outer plastic can tolerate a rough cleaning.  The plastic brace should not be left in the hot sun or by a warm radiator to dry, as the plastic may soften and lose its shape.

To prevent soap buildup on the brace, you should clean it once or twice a month with alcohol.  Simply wipe out the inside with alcohol and rinse with water.