Taking Care of Your Skin: The Challenges of Para-Athletes

For people with disabilities or those in rehabilitation, the benefits of physical activity are numerous, both for physiological health and mental well-being. This is especially true now that technological innovations and the recent spotlight on para-athletes have made para-sports increasingly attractive and accessible.

However, participating in adaptive sports presents many challenges, particularly for the skin, which is often more sensitive and highly stressed by adaptive equipment.

Wheelchairs, prosthetics, orthotics… How can you protect your skin when using adaptive equipment? Here are some tips on how to take care of your skin and prevent irritation.

Orthotics and Irritations: Learn How to Avoid Them!

Orthotics are external orthopedic devices designed to compensate for a deficiency. They are attached to the part of the body that needs it: upper limbs, lower limbs, skull, torso, fingers, or toes. Unlike splints, which are used to limit movement, orthotics are made to facilitate mobility, which is essential in para-sports.

Unfortunately, even though orthotics are custom-made and adapted to the sport you practice, they can cause burns, redness, irritation, or even skin rashes. These skin problems occur due to friction between the medical device and the skin or the buildup of heat and moisture.

A few simple actions can help prevent these issues:

• Adopt a suitable skincare routine to strengthen and protect your skin.

On clean, dry skin, apply a small amount of After Sport Ritual serum. The combination of hyaluronic acid and the RGTA complex hydrates and strengthens the skin, making it more supple and resistant. Because After Sport Ritual absorbs quickly, it leaves no greasy film, minimizing the risk of maceration and inflammation. If needed, you can complement your routine with the application of special bandages.

• Treat irritations at the first signs.

Do you feel a burning sensation, or notice red, irritated skin? Even if the discomfort is minimal, don’t ignore it: doing so could make the problem worse and affect your performance.

Remove the orthotic and clean the affected area with a mild soap. Then apply Bye Bye Burn balm. This restorative cream is designed to optimize the natural healing processes of the epidermis following external damage. With soothing relief, the skin heals better and strengthens sustainably.

The Shock and Roll roll-on is ideal for joint injuries.

• Consult a healthcare professional

If irritations persist or worsen, it may be that your orthotic is poorly adjusted. In that case, a professional can provide advice and solutions tailored to your needs.

Prosthetics: Protecting the Skin of the Stump

Prosthetics are medical devices designed to replace an amputated limb. They are essential for many para-athletes, such as those practicing para-cycling or para-athletics.

Numerous innovations have driven the development of lighter and more efficient equipment. Carbon fiber blades, for example, enable para-athletes to achieve impressive performances on par with their able-bodied counterparts.

Unfortunately, these technological marvels have their limitations.

• Prosthetic sleeves and fittings put a lot of stress on the skin of the stumps. Heat and moisture are ideal conditions for developing irritations.

• If you wear prosthetics on your lower limbs to run, the shockwaves during running can cause skin lesions.

• Due to the high cost of para-sport prosthetics, many athletes try to manage without them or use equipment that is not specifically adapted. Others may modify their everyday prosthetics or share devices. While it’s hard to avoid this given the necessary budget for proper equipment, it does not come without consequences for your skin and comfort. A prosthesis that isn’t designed for your specific body shape or pressure points may lead to injuries.

Again, the first step is to adopt a targeted skincare routine. This involves careful maintenance of your equipment, which should be cleaned and dried before each use. Additionally, you should prepare your skin to hydrate, soften, and strengthen it.

In case of injury, follow an appropriate care protocol designed to optimize healing and skin regeneration.

How to Protect Your Hands When Practicing Sport in a Wheelchair?

For athletes who practice their sport in a wheelchair, the main challenge lies in the hands.

The regular and intense contact between the athlete’s hands and the handrails of their wheelchair can damage the palms of the hands—even when wearing gloves!

Once again, it’s essential to adopt the right skincare routine:

• File the skin of your palms.

With practice, the skin on your hands will thicken, even forming calluses, especially at the base of the fingers. , If these calluses become too thick, they risk cracking and weakening the skin, making it more prone to tears. To remedy this, file them periodically with a fine-grit file to remove all irregularities.

• Hydrate generously.

Hydration is essential to prevent abrasions and potential blisters. It is also very useful to help the skin heal better. This is why Bye Bye Burn, our restorative balm, combines hyaluronic acid (a molecule known to absorb up to 1000 times its weight in water) and RGTA, a patented complex that promotes skin regeneration. Taking care of your skin is not only about comfort, but also a key factor in optimizing performance. Para-athletes deserve solutions and care tailored to their specific needs so they can continue practicing with passion and in the best conditions.