This is a guest post on the EasyStand Blog by Tiffiny Carlson, blogger and quadriplegic.
Summertime can bring forth dozens of unique skin issues for full-time wheelchair-users. From heat rashes to sun burns, we need to be more vigilant now than ever before. Skin is by far one of the most important (and most visible) organs in your body. Don’t neglect it, people!
The good news? By doing a few simple things, it’s super easy to keep your skin healthy and attractive. It’s really not that hard (as long as you stay on top of it; the key issue). So please, don’t let this busy time to get in the way of your proper skin care. Your skin can be glowy and healthy too. Honest! And here’s how.
1. Pesky moisture: With humidity and extra perspiration, it’s almost too easy to develop a heat rash in closed-off areas like the inner thigh or between the toes and fingers. To prevent heat rash, make sure you take extra care when drying the areas after showering/washing them (which you should do at least daily, btw. No excuses). And also (I know this one isn’t easy), try getting air to these areas as much as possible. I sometimes sleep with my legs in the “frog” position to keep my bikini line in tip-top shape, as should you.
2. AD and overheating: For people with SCI, Autonomic Dysreflexia is a condition we must be extra-vigilant about during the summer months. By spraying yourself with a mister or a water bottle however, you can mimic sweat and keep AD at bay. The only problem with this method however is the moisture, which can get into those pesky areas (causing heat rash) or rinse off your sun-screen. So be careful of the side-effects!
3. Sun-screen and paralyzed skin: Sun-screen is important for everyone, but for people with disabilities who have delicate skin, it’s even more important. Over the years, I’ve found that a higher SPF is needed on parts of my body that are paralyzed and never see the sun (like my upper thighs), so be aware! In mid-summer sun you can burn in 20 minutes. Also (for easy application), buy the aerosol sun-screen (one of my favorite inventions from the past couple of years). It makes the annoying task of putting on sun-screen a cinch.
4. Use face and body scrubs: This may seem like a purely beauty-related tip (it could be, because everyone loves smooth skin), but it’s not. Exfoliating your skin gets rid of old skin which doesn’t want to slough off (a particularly tricky problem for people with SCI too), which in turn causes ugly blemishes. So get rid of that old skin. St. Ives Apricot Scrub is the cheapest/best exfoliator out there. I’ve been using it for years and absolutely love it.
5. Edema/foot swelling: You know, t always seems that the edema in my feet gets worse in the summer months (is humidity to blame? Not sure). To prevent edema from getting too bad, sleep with your feet elevated and for LONGER than a few hours. 7-8 hours is the perfect amount of time to get your feet back to how you life them. Even try wearing cute knee (or thigh) high socks a few days a week (thinner fabrics will also work); anything to give your lower legs enough support for adequate blood flow.
6. And don’t forget to stand during the busy summer months! Standing on a regular basis, especially during the summer, is your first line of defense in preventing many of the above issues (edema, getting air to certain areas). And remember, standing also has a huge emotional benefit, helping you feel happier and energized, which are both great things to experience during the summer.
What other tips do you have to minimize damage to your skin? What works or doesn’t work for you?
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