Hi. I have been a quadriplegic for twenty years and have always used a ROHO cushion on my wheelchair without any problems. Recently though, I've been getting blisters on the bottom of my scrotum. I'm always careful to make sure I'm not sitting on it, but yet it's happening. I ran into the same problem last year, and it just went away by itself. I'm almost positive that I have a problem with latex, but it's not like I'm sitting on my chair with no pants on. Has anyone else run into this problem?
If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
Thank you
otherme

Hi the same thing has been happening to my husband and he also uses a ROHO. I thought it was just from rubbing against his incontinence brief. Could it be from improper inflation of the cushion?

I'm not going to say that's not the problem, but when he's seated in the chair, make sure he's not sitting on his scrotum. I usually have to scoop mine foward once I'm seated. That's one of the things they didn't teach me in rehab.
otherme

Having used one for that long,,, I think you probably know about the pressure thing....

What else is different???? Since just before you noticed the blisters??? New trousers???? New catheters???? New woman in your life!!!!!!!?????

Could be a new laundry detergent,,,,that happened to a friend of mine, years ago in the service... He at first thought it was some wierd form of VD , but hadn't been "lucky" for a month, so had to look for another reason.

Hope it's something simple.
ed

The Roho cushion is made from neoprene, not latex. Two entirely different materials. It's a good idea to wash the cushion cover periodically to prevent irritation. Same with the cushion itself. Make sure to rinse them thoroughly. If they aren't kept clean, you could get a fungal skin irritation.
Could also just be a sweat or heat rash. I always hoist my boys up after getting in my chair in the morning.

Crushed nuts are fine on desserts; not on me.

QUOTE (otherme @ Oct 31 2008, 02:55 AM)

Hi. I have been a quadriplegic for twenty years and have always used a ROHO cushion on my wheelchair without any problems. Recently though, I've been getting blisters on the bottom of my scrotum. I'm always careful to make sure I'm not sitting on it, but yet it's happening. I ran into the same problem last year, and it just went away by itself. I'm almost positive that I have a problem with latex, but it's not like I'm sitting on my chair with no pants on. Has anyone else run into this problem?
If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
Thank you
otherme

Hi,

You say that you

QUOTE

ran into the same problem last year

- was it at the same time of year? Are you wearing more layers? (thus increasing risk of sweating which will irritate the skin more.)

Something else to consider, is there a seam in your underwear which is rubbing? (Ok so I'm female but I have had problems with seams rubbing and causing a small sore to start forming where the seam was on the gusset which happened to be right on my 'sitting bones'! I now look for clothes/underwear which doesn't have seams where they'd cause me serious problems. For example, I try to buy pyjamas which don't have a seam on the outside of the leg - this is because I lie on my side in bed and don't want my hip to be lying on a seam - previous pyjama trousers did have seams on the outside of the leg/over the hip and have caused skin breakdown.)

Have you lost/gained weight since just before you got a sore. If you have gained weight, there will obviously be less room in your clothes so you are more likely to have clothing causing pressure (and/or rubbing). If you have lost weight, it could be that you are less 'padded' and therefore less supported. It's a 'swings and roundabouts' thing really.

As ed said, if you have changed something such as Laundry detergent (OR the manufacturers have changed it - does it smell different?), these can all cause skin problems. (Re the laundry detergent - either try a different one or try putting your clothes through an extra wash cycle (after you have put them through a 'normal' wash) without adding any more washing powder/liquid/detergent. If you use fabric softeners, try omitting them and see if that is aggravating the issue.

You don't say which type of cushion cover you are using - the 'standard' cover or the 'incontinence' cover. This may have some bearing.

As Quad65 said, it's a good idea to wash the cushion cover frequently. You may also want to wash the cushion over as well. (If you have spilt something or sweated on the cushion or leaked on it, it could become a breeding ground for germs which would mean that a tiny insignificant rub mark could easily develop into a much bigger problem. Remember Staphylococcus Aureus on the skin is common and 'relatively' harmless except that MRSA isn't - when a common 'bug' gets into a cut/wound, you get big problems!)

You have to remember, it may not 'just' be one thing which is causing the problems - it may be a combination of things! (Remember, if you have already had sores/blisters etc in one place, your skin will never be as 'good' afterwards and it will be more prone to breakdowns.)

Have you got other symptoms - do you have a UTI or other infection and it's coming to light as a problem with your skin?

If you have lost your cushion instructions, you can see a Flash presentation on how to adjust a Roho cushion properly. Alternatively, the instructions for a Roho cushion are at: http://trgweb.rohoinc.com/Web%20Databases/...INSTRUCTION.pdf and for a Quadtro/Contour Select at: http://trgweb.rohoinc.com/Web%20Databases/...INSTRUCTION.pdf

If you haven't already, it may be worth seeing a doctor/health professional about it, especially if it has been going on for a while.

Hope you find what is causing the problem and you find a solution.

Best wishes,

Cat

>^..^<