These casts are made up of two different materials: plaster and fiberglass. The cast liner, made out of cotton, goes next to the skin. To avoid problems, the cast must be kept clean and dry.
Nothing should be placed inside the cast to scratch an itchy patch of skin. Keeping a cast clean and dry requires wrapping a towel and plastic wrap or a plastic bag around all openings during bath time. Have your child rest the injured arm or leg on the ledge of the bathtub to keep it dry, and be sure not to submerge the cast in the water. The only way to guarantee a cast stays dry is to wrap it securely and keep it out of all water.
This poses several problems. A wet cast will begin to smell moldy, and the dampness inside can cause a breakdown of the skin called maceration. Just as your fingers and toes turn wrinkly after being in the bath or a pool, having a wet cast on for too long will cause the same thing to happen. Extreme skin maceration can lead to an infection and possibly require surgery to clean the damaged tissue.
The risk of infection increases tremendously due to the open wound from the surgical procedure. Also steer clear of sand, dirt and other granules that can infiltrate a cast and irritate skin.
DO soothe itches. Use a hair dryer to blow cool air into the cast. Or try antihistamines to control itching. Never put powder, lotion — or anything else — inside the cast. DO call the doctor if your child has pain, tingling or swelling. If they are changing color, swelling or numb, the cast may be too tight. See a doctor for help. DO treat the cast as part of your body.
Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. This may be more difficult if you have a cast on your lower body.
A cast cover can make bathing with a traditional fiberglass cast easier because it takes some of the work out of covering your cast. However, you still should avoid fully submerging your cast, even with a waterproof cover. You can bathe as normal with a waterproof cast. Just be sure to completely rinse your cast with clean water after bathing to get rid of any soap residue. Small holes in the cast cover or an imperfect fit can cause the cast to get wet. Waterproof casts can be fully submerged for swimming, but you should avoid the ocean or other bodies of water where debris might get in your cast.
You likely will need to have a follow-up visit to get a waterproof cast. This visit will be 1 to 2 weeks after your injury when the swelling goes down. Waterproof casts are less likely than normal casts to be covered by insurance and may be more expensive. You can buy waterproof cast covers at drugstores, medical supply stores, and online.
Getting a waterproof cover that comes in different sizes is best. Shop for waterproof cast covers online. If a traditional fiberglass cast gets splashed by water, you can use a blow-dryer on a low or cool setting to dry it. Be sure to dry the cast as soon as possible after it gets wet. If your cast gets very wet, call your doctor right away.
Traditional fiberglass casts can be damaged by water. They can also cause significant skin irritation. If your cast needs to be replaced, this should be done within 24 hours after it gets wet. A broken bone can limit your activity, especially if you need a cast. If you want to bathe like normal, ask your doctor about a waterproof cast. If not, a waterproof cast cover is an option. Learn about the advantages…. There are two main types of cast, known as plaster casts and synthetic casts.
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