Keeping it clean!

Between August and October PRO will typically get a call or two a week from someone who has developed a “rash” from wearing a sleeve. It usually involves a high school athlete who will wear a sleeve several hours for practice then take it off and throw it in his/her locker. It isn’t washed or even rinsed off after use so it sits sweaty in the bottom of the locker until the next practice. After a number of weeks the rash appears. DUH! Here is something easy to remember – Neoprene was designed to be used to make divers wet suits. The material is made to stand up to repeated dunkings – its water proof! For the high school or recreational athlete probably the easiest way to wash the sleeves is to take it in the shower with you. You can wash it with your body soap making sure you clean both the inside and outside of the sleeve. Be sure to rinse all of the soap out of the sleeve. Then squeeze it to get as much water out of it as possibly; then hang to dry. If you live where it is very humid be sure that air can circulate around it. Neoprene is a closed cell rubber so it won’t absorb moisture but the nylon covering will as will the felt horseshoe if your brace is equipped. You can also machine wash your sleeve. Be sure you use cold water and gentle cycle. Always hang the sleeve to dry. If you do start to develop a rash stop using the sleeve immediately. An over-the-counter topical cream usually works best. If the rash is widespread or worsens it is best to consult a physician. Once the rash is completely cleared you can use a sleeve again. In our experience it is best to throw out the old sleeve and get a new one making sure it is rinsed and washed after each use to remove dirt and body salts from the surface.