We asked our hand doctors, nurses, and assistants what tips they have learned to care for their cast.
Bathing, sweating, and house hold chores are the biggest obstacles faced when trying to keep a cast dry and clean. Here are several tips to keep your cast smelling fresh and looking like new!
Stay Dry With…
Veterinary Long Arm Gloves
One box costs approximately $11.00 and holds 100 disposable gloves. These are made of durable material and can extend up to the shoulder to help protect the cast from any unwanted liquid.
Cast Guards
Cast guards or covers are available at drug stores and can range from $10.00 to $30.00. One benefit of these is that they are reusable and can be kept for future use if needed.
Press and Seal Cling Wrap
Regular saran wrap may leave gaps around the seams, even if layered several times. Press and Seal cling wrap provides an adhesive component that will not stick to the cast or your skin. While not reusable, the box has enough for several applications.
Waterproof Casting
Casting material is available in waterproof forms. They do not offer as much comfort and padding as traditional casts, but they are able to be submerged underwater without damaging the cast’s structure.
Dr. Bleazard, our Foot and Ankle Specialist, strongly recommends his patients to stick with sponge bathing to keep foot and ankle casts dry.
“If a lower extremity cast gets wet, it is imperative that the cast gets changed immediately.”
How To Get the Stink Out…
- Moisture absorbing powders
- Sprinkle moisture absorbing powder around the openings and on the cast material itself.
- This can help attract odor causing molecules and reduce the presence of bad smells.
- ARESOL DEODORANTS/ BODY SPRAYS
- This will not do much to stop odor from coming back, but will provide short term relief from overpowering smell.
- DRYER SHEETS
- Rub a scented dryer sheet along the exterior of the cast to help reduce odor. DO NOT stick dryer sheets down into the cast. It may become stuck and be uncomfortable.
What Not To Do…
- Do not stick objects down the cast in attempts to ease an itch. If an object gets lost in the cast it may cause perforation to the underlying skin an introduce possible infections to the area.
- Do not pour lotion or oils down the cast to reduce itching or dry skin. This will break down the padding inside the cast causing it to loosen and be ineffective.
- Do not alter the cast! Art work is fine, but attempting to loosen or modify pieces of the cast will cause weak spots and the cast will not be an effective tool in the healing process.
By: Riki Duncan, ATC
Sources:
http://orthopedics.about.com/od/castsfracturetreatments/p/casts.htm