Pressure Garments

It is believed to be important that burn patients begin wearing pressure garments while the scar is active and immature. Scar tissue is highly responsive in the early stages so an early application of pressure garments is imperative. Pressure garments should be worn at least 23 hours a day, removing them for bathing and cleaning of the garments only. Most patients will need to wear pressure garments for 12 to 24months.

The continuous wearing of pressure garments is believed to prevent the thickening, buckling, and nodular formations seen in hypertrophic scars. A soft pliable elastic scar develops which allows for normal joint movement. The external pressure applied by the garments decreases inflammatory response and the amount of blood in the scar, reducing itching and prevents collagen from synthesizing. Additionally pressure garments provide protection against injury.

Pressure Garments are custom designed and made for each person. This makes them quite expensive. In order to keep the garments in good condition so one may gain the most benefit from them, here are some suggestions for their care:

• Closely follow your therapist instructions on putting on or removing your garments. As well as any written instructions that came with them.
• If you feel that your pressure garments do not fit correctly, contact your therapist immediately.
• It is best to hand wash in warm water using only a mild liquid laundry detergent. Rinse the garments extremely well to remove all traces of detergent. It is best to wash your garments daily. For small garments try washing them in a lingerie bag.
• Gently squeeze excess moisture out of the garment and roll the garment in a towel to further remove moisture. Hang to dry in the shade.
• Avoid drying the garment in the sun and never use a tumble dryer or heater. This would cause rapid deterioration of the fabric.
• If you swim in a chlorinated swimming pool, or in salt water, rinse the garment well afterwards.
• Avoid where possible, unnecessary wear and tear. For example, if wearing pressure socks or stockings, wear regular socks or shoes over the top to help protect the sole of the garment. Should holes appear in the garment notify your therapist as soon as possible. Contact your therapist if zippers are malfunctioning.
• When using moisturisers on the skin beneath the garment, make sure to massage the moisturiser well into the skin. Surplus cream can get trapped in the fibres of the fabric and prevent the garment from working effectively. (Tests have shown that the use of vitamin E creams and petroleum based creams can cause deteriorations in the fabric).

We hope this information has been helpful, we would recommend you to maintain regular contact with your therapist to ensure that the garment is fitting well. Do not hesitate to contact your therapist if you are concerned about any aspect of the pressure garments.