Thumbguard World

FAQ’s

Thumbguard is an extremely simple product to use, but we do get occasional questions, which we have answered below:

Q. What should I do if my child is able to pull his/her thumb from underneath the thumbguard?

A. If the child is able to pull his / her thumb from underneath the appliance, then most likely the appliance has not been adjusted properly. This usually occurs regardless of the tightness in the bracelet, but rather, when the bracelet is inserted through the wrong openings in the extensions.

B. Begin by locating the short extension that is parallel to the thumb, which points toward the wrist. On this extension, locate the loops through which the bracelet is inserted. You must use the next higher loop, the one closer to the ThumbGuard tube. However, make sure the bracelet is slightly above the wrist area. Later, this extension will be pulled down so that the bracelet surrounds the thinnest area of the wrist (the part of the wrist with the smallest circumference).

C. Locate the two remaining extensions, both of which should be longer than the first. Of the two, one is narrower than the other. Thread the narrower extension through the next slit that is higher (or closer to the tube) on the wider extension. This should make the intersection where the narrow extension passes through the wider extension sit slightly higher on the hand. Thread the bracelet through the first 2 available slits immediately after intersection in the two extensions.

D. With the bracelet now slightly above the wrist, pull firmly down on the extensions until the bracelet is wrapped around the thinnest part of the wrist. There is no need to fasten the bracelet tightly on the wrist, as the extensions create the necessary tension to prevent the child from removing his / her thumb from underneath.

E. If the appliance has been adjusted properly, the child should be unable to remove the appliance. The tube covering the thumb should sit firmly on the base of the child’s hand, and when pulled, should not move. If your child can still remove the appliance, see additional steps below.

F. An additional step can be taken to assure that the child is not able to remove the device. If there is a reasonable space/clearance between the thumb and tube you can use a band aid, or a piece of medical tape, and roll several layers around the thumb knuckle to impede the child’s ability to bend the thumb and remove the device.

G. The child is able to remove his / her finger from underneath the FingerGuard when the appliance has not been adjusted correctly. This occurs when the bracelet has been inserted through the row of slanted holes that is too low (or far from the tube). To correct this problem, simply thread the bracelet through a row of slanted slits that is higher on the appliance (or closer to the tubes).

H. Begin by locating the two extensions. Thread the bracelet through the row of slits that places the bracelet slightly above the wrist, near the base of the hand. Repeat on the other side.

I. Pull down the appliance so that the bracelet surrounds the thinnest part of the wrist. When you fasten the bracelet, it is unnecessary to make it tight because the tension in the appliance depends on the row of slits chosen.

J. An additional step can be taken to assure that the child is not able to remove the device. If there is a reasonable space/clearance between the finger and tube you can use a band aid, or a piece of medical tape, and roll several layers around the second joint of the finger to impede the child’s ability to bend the thumb and remove the device.

Q. What should I do if I find redness or other reactions to the plastic tube?

A very small percentage of younger children, due to higher skin sensitivity, might develop a rash or redness in the areas that are covered by the plastic. Though the plastic is medical grade material with no toxicity and no harmful phthalates (a type of chemical), the reaction can be the result of condensation, saliva, and harmful bacteria accumulating in a confined and warm environment. You should immediately stop using the device and take all steps to heal the skin. Usually, keeping the skin dry and using over the counter remedies which create moisture barrier, heal the skin rather quickly. You may resume using the device, but take the following precautionary steps:

Be sure that the skin is always dry and clean. You can accomplish this by removing the device more often for cleaning and drying, or by using a hair dryer for drying the digit without removing the device.