How To Clean Toes In A Cast

If you lot've broken a bone, you're going to need to go on the affected joints immobilized for a menstruation of time to ensure the tissues heal correctly. In many cases, there's no better way to safely immobilize the surface area—and ensure equally speedy a recovery as possible—than applying a cast.

If your md has put y'all in a bandage, you don't take to resign yourself to weeks of itchy skin and unpleasant smells. Follow these tips from our orthopedic surgeons to proceed your bandage every bit comfortable and unobtrusive every bit possible while y'all heal.

Caring for your cast 101: Go along it clean and dry out

No ane loves wearing a cast, but things volition exist much more enjoyable if you keep information technology as clean as possible. Hither are a few steps to have:

Cover the cast while you set food and consume. Food splatters tin leave stains, smells, and sticky residues before y'all know it. Crumbs can too make their mode within the cast, leading to bad odors or risking infection. Prevent this by wearing long sleeves or slipping a plastic liner over a wrist/arm cast. If your leg is casted, wear a long apron while cooking and keep information technology on while eating, or place a towel over your lap.
Skip the beauty products for at present. Lotions, deodorants, and body sprays can go on or inside a cast and concenter dirt. Considering you cannot get a cast moisture, at that place'south non a good way to thoroughly clean them off. It's all-time to avoid these products near a cast.
Exist diligent about hygiene after sweating. Sweat beneath your cast is likely, peculiarly if y'all are participating in physical therapy or other grade of do. Bank check with your dr. about using a moisture arresting pulverization, such equally Gilded Bond, around your cast. Also, change out of sweaty clothes ASAP and continue a clean, dry towel on paw to wipe peel around the area, so sweat doesn't roll downwards into the cast.

Unless yous have a fiberglass cast, which has a water-resistant liner, it's imperative to keep your cast dry every bit a bone (we couldn't resist!). This non only ensures that your cast continues to provide optimal support, just also helps to prevent peel irritation and bad smells. Showering, bathing, and household tasks present the biggest challenge; here are some handy tools to keep your bandage dry during these activities:

"Press 'due north Seal" cling wrap. Different regular plastic wrap or a zip-lock bag, the newer press and seal diverseness has an adhesive that helps preclude seepage. Using it can keep the bandage dry confronting splashes or rain, but don't submerge a bandage using only cling wrap.
Premade cast guards. Bachelor in drugstores, cast guards are pre-fit garments that stretch over a cast and fit tightly around information technology. They are more expensive than cling wrap, just are more than foolproof and much less of a hassle.
Veterinary gloves. These heavy-duty, arm-length plastic gloves are made to examine big animals internally; this makes them great every bit a water barrier for a bandage while showering or doing dishes. You tin can society them online.

How to stop itching in your cast (safely)

Itching is ane of the most common complaints among cast-bound patients. Never stick an item like a pencil or coat hanger into your bandage to scratch an itch—you could perforate the pare or office of the instrument could break off and become "lost" in the cast (we've constitute many pencil erasers in casts we've removed). Instead, stick to these safer alternatives:

Use a pilus dryer on the absurd setting. Absurd, dry air tin can soothe an itch without risking impairment. Just aim the hair dryer underneath the side closest to the itch. Only employ the cool setting—warm air can damage the cast. A wheel pump tin also do in a pinch.
Minimize moisture and sweating. Excess wet tin worsen bandage itch, then limit heat and follow the above tips for keeping your cast dry.
Inquire your doctor about over-the-counter antihistamines. If itching is keeping you from sleeping well, yous may consider taking Benadryl or other anti-itch medication. These drugs tin can make you drowsy, then merely utilize them when necessary and if you are not planning on driving, cooking, or using heavy equipment afterwards.

Continue the smell under command

Like any place that'due south moisture-prone and lacks ventilation, casts are notorious for developing an unpleasant odor. Following the in a higher place communication will go a long way toward keeping smelliness to a minimum. Additional measures you can take:

Rub a scented dryer sheet on the outside of the cast. Exercise not push it underneath the cast.
Sprinkle on baking soda or moisture-absorbing powder. These can safely absorb moisture and odors on the cast and around the openings.
In extreme cases, request a new cast. Information technology'south far better to take practiced care of your original cast and prevent olfactory property, but if the aroma is interfering with your work or school life, call your doctor. An overpowering smell may merit a replacement.

When to call your doctor

Some itching, sweating and stinkiness is to be expected, even with the best of care. However, if an strong or persistent unpleasant odor may be a sign of a skin infection, so it'southward all-time to call your doctor, who tin can determine if the cast should be changed.

Additionally, swelling is normal with many sports injuries, so if your cast feels tight, try elevating the affected limb. If the tightness does non subside, or if you feel pain, tingling, numbness, or you lot can't move your fingers or toes, get in touch with your doctor.

Finally, if the cast lining is vehement or sliding out of identify, practice not attempt to cut or repair this yourself—your doctor will know how to all-time repair a bandage to ensure it's still providing optimal support.

We're here to respond your questions!

The above advice should significantly improve life with a cast. If you take more questions almost cast care, or any other orthopedic issue, come up see our experienced team at Carolina Hand & Sports Medicine in Asheville. Our lath certified doctors are experienced, friendly, and passionate about helping patients get past injuries and render to their active lives. Call 828-253-7521 for more information or to make an appointment.