Cast Care Instructions

Casts cannot get wet! Wet casts cause skin irritation and infections.

For bathing:

• Cover the cast with a towel, then a plastic bag
• Secure the plastic bag with tape or a rubber band
• Never submerge a cast under water
• For children 3 years old and younger: only perform sponge baths

Keep a spare plastic bag in your car, purse or child’s backpack in case of rain or snow.

Elevate your cast to prevent swelling of the fingers or toes.

For upper extremities:

• Keep the hand above the elbow and the elbow above the shoulder
• Use a sling to elevate while standing

For lower extremities:

• Keep the foot above the knee and the knee above the shoulder
• Always float the heel by placing a pillow or cushion under the calf

Elevation is most important for the first 24-48 hours, but may be necessary for longer depending on your injury.

• Casts can be itchy. Never place anything down or inside the cast. 
  • Do not put any type of lotion or powder inside the cast
  • Do not remove any padding from inside the cast
• To help with itching:
  • Encourage your child to decrease their activity levels. Sweating causes the skin under the cast to become hot and itchy. 
  • Blow cold air down the cast with a fan, hair dryer (on a cool setting) or air conditioner. 
  • Apply a cloth covered bag of ice over the cast. Ice may be kept on 20 minutes every hour. Never apply ice directly to the skin or cast.
  • Tap on the cast gently with a wood spoon or other round object. 
  • Give your child over-the-counter allergy medicine like Claritin, Zyrtec or Benadryl. These medicines can help relieve itching and do not require a prescription. Ask the pharmacist how much to give if needed.
• If your child does not or cannot move on their own, change their position every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night to prevent skin breakdown in the cast.

Please notify our staff if:

• Your child’s fingers or toes are:
  • pale, blue or discolored 
  • have decreased feeling 
  • have increased swelling
  • have decreased or no movement 
  • have tingling or “pins and needles” feeling
  • have increased pain
  • are no longer able to be seen due to the cast or the cast/splint is “slipping”
• Something becomes stuck in the cast
• The cast breaks, becomes wet or falls off
• There is a foul odor coming from the cast
• Your child is irritable or has a fever for no other obvious reason
• Your child has pain that is not relieved by medicine