Looking after your prosthesis well keeps it looking natural and lasting longer. This interactive guide walks through daily care, cleaning, wearing it, storage and more. Tap a topic to begin.
Daily care
A silicone finger prosthesis is durable and made for everyday wear, but a little daily care keeps it looking its best and comfortable to wear.
Helpful habits
Keep it clean and dry through the day
Handle it gently when putting on and taking off
Keep your residual finger clean and dry too
Give your skin breaks from wear where comfortable
Best avoided
Harsh chemicals, solvents and strong cleaners
Prolonged soaking or very hot water
Picking at or stretching the edges
Leaving it in direct sun or heat for long periods
Everyday activities, work, washing your hands, normal life, are generally fine. Your clinician will give you guidance tailored to your device and your activities.
Cleaning your prosthesis
Gentle, regular cleaning keeps the silicone looking natural and hygienic. Tap each step as you go:
Wash your hands first, so you are handling it cleanly
Use mild soap and lukewarm (not hot) water
Clean gently with your fingers or a soft cloth, no abrasives
Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap
Pat dry gently with a soft towel
Let it air dry fully before storing or wearing
Avoid: alcohol, solvents, bleach, abrasive cloths and harsh detergents, these can damage the silicone or dull the colour. If your clinician gave you specific cleaning products or instructions, follow those first.
Putting it on & removing it
Your clinician will show you the technique that suits your device at fitting. As a general guide:
Make sure both your residual finger and the prosthesis are clean and dry, a damp surface makes fitting harder.
Ease the prosthesis on gently and evenly, following the method your clinician showed you, never force it.
Check it is seated comfortably and sits naturally against your hand.
To remove, ease it off gently rather than pulling at the edges, which can stress the silicone over time.
If it becomes hard to put on or remove, or the fit feels different, don't force it, contact your clinician. A change in fit is something they should check.
Storage
How you store your prosthesis when you are not wearing it affects how long it stays looking its best.
Do
Store it clean and fully dry
Keep it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight
Use any case or container your clinician provided
Keep it away from dust and lint
Avoid
Hot places (car dashboards, windowsills, radiators)
Direct sunlight for long periods, which fades colour
Storing it damp, which is unhygienic
Loose in a bag where it can be squashed or marked
How long it lasts
A quality silicone finger prosthesis is made to last, but like anything worn daily, it changes over time. How long yours stays at its best depends on how it is worn, cared for and stored.
The two things that change most gradually are colour and finish. Everyday wear, washing and especially sun exposure slowly affect the colour match and surface over months and years. This is normal and expected, not a fault. Good daily care and sensible storage slow it down.
When the colour or fit has changed enough that you are no longer happy with it, that is the point to talk to your clinician about a replacement. Many people treat a prosthesis as something renewed periodically, much like other personal items that see daily use.
Your clinician can tell you what to realistically expect for your specific device, and when a replacement is likely to be worthwhile.
When to contact your clinician
Most care is simple and routine. But some things are worth checking with the registered clinician who fitted your prosthesis, rather than managing yourself. Contact them if you notice:
Any redness, soreness, irritation or skin changes on or around your residual finger
The fit feeling different, looser, tighter, or harder to put on or remove
Damage to the prosthesis, or colour or finish you are no longer happy with
Any discomfort when wearing it
Any concern at all, when in doubt, ask
Anything involving your skin or the residual finger itself is clinical, and should go to your clinician (or appropriate medical care), not be managed through a care guide. This page covers caring for the device; your clinician cares for you.
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