The use of methenamine as an antiperspirant for amputees

Abstract

The socket of a prosthesis is a tightly closed container. Sweating inside the socket is annoying and may also irritate the skin over the stump or lead to local infection such as folliculitis. The most effective method of preventing sweating is by the use of astringent agents. Formaldehyde is a very strong astringent but is not pleasant to use and may cause skin irritation and systemic reactions. Methenamine, in water or when applied to the skin, decomposes to generate formaldehyde in small quantities which do not cause side effects. Methenamine was used on the stump of sixteen amputees. The trial was conducted as a double blind study using two different solutions market as solution A and as solution B. The effectiveness of the solutions as an antiperspirant was evaluated clinically by the subjects and the physician. Solution A containing Methenamine, was found significantly effective, both by the subjects and physician when compared with the solution B the blank one. The use of Methenamine as an antiperspirant is recommended in amputation stumps.