Patient Instructions Cast care

Your cast may be water-resistant, but... Be careful, the padding beneath the cast surface is not water repellent. Keep your cast as dry as possible to prevent skin irritation and odor. The inside of the cast should be dried with a hair drier (cool setting) in the morning, evening, after bathing or exercise, and additionally as often as you like - this will help prevent itching and reduce skin irritation.

When bathing or showering... Cover the cast with a plastic bag (or saran wrap, in a pinch). Hold your hand up in the shower so that water does not run down inside the cast. If your cast does get wet, towel blot the cast, then use a blow dryer (cool setting) until it is completely dry, then call for further instructions.

Do not trim or re-shape your cast. The cast has been custom designed to provide maximum support during healing. Cutting or altering the cast may lengthen your recovery time. If the padding has shifted and the edge of the cast rubs against your skin, you may be able to pad it with moleskin (available in the foot care section of any drugstore). However, if the cast feels as though it is tight or is irritating your skin, please contact my office. I may have to modify or even change your cast, but would rather do that than for you to have a problem.

Almost every cast itches at some time, but... Never insert anything under your cast to scratch an itch - you could cause severe skin injury. Avoid getting dirt or other foreign particles under your cast. Don't put talcum powder or corn starch inside the cast - these may start a skin infection. The best treatment is to dry the inside of the cast with a hair drier.

If any of these problems occur, contact my office immediately: Cast becomes uncomfortably loose (it is normal to be able to insert one to two fingers easily under the near edge of the cast)

Cast rubs or presses against your skin and causes irritation.

Cast becomes uncomfortably snug or tight.

Fingers become swollen, numb or tingly, difficult to move, or become cool or discolored (bluish or whitish tinge).

Moderate discomfort develops into severe or constant pain, unrelieved by elevation of the affected part.