Should I go to the ER if my cast gets wet?

Author: Claudie Lowe  |  Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2025

If the cast gets wet, use a hair dryer on the cool setting for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat as needed. If the cast gets too wet and will not dry, call the orthopedic office.

Is a wet cast an emergency?

If your child's cast has gotten wet, please contact us immediately at 617-355-6021. Unless your child has a waterproof cast, a wet cast can lead to complications and needs immediate attention.

What if I accidentally got my cast wet?

If the cast does get wet, you might be able to dry out the inside padding with a hair dryer. Use a low heat setting to avoid burning or irritating the skin.

When should you go back to the hospital with a cast?

Common questions our doctors are asked

If a plaster cast, or the padding underneath a cast, becomes wet, you should see your GP or local hospital within 24 hours. The cast may need to be replaced to protect the skin underneath.

Will they give you a cast in the ER?

If you go to the ER: You get an immediate x-ray and immediate result. If there is a broken bone, the ER doctor will cast or splint you right away.

Can I Get My Cast Wet?

When should cast discomfort be a concern?

If there are sore areas or a foul odor from the cast, cracks or breaks in the cast, or the cast feels too tight or too loose. You develop swelling that causes pain or makes it so you cannot move your fingers or toes. You develop tingling or numbness in the arm or fingers or toes. Your fingers or toes are blue or cold.

How long does it take for a wet cast to dry?

It depends on which type of cast you're getting. Fiberglass casts start drying right away and might only take a few hours. Plaster casts usually take a day or two to completely harden. Be careful with your cast while it's still drying.

Does Benadryl help with cast itching?

The skin under the cast can get itchy. Never put anything down into the cast to scratch. For itchiness, use a hair dryer on a cool, low setting and blow air into the cast. You may use diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for itching.

How do I know if my cast is cutting off circulation?

Excessive swelling of your limb below the cast could be a signal that swelling and pressure are impeding your blood circulation.

What happens if you get your splint wet?

A plaster cast or splint may take a few days to dry completely, so don't put any weight on it for the first 48 hours. Be careful to keep your cast or splint dry. If it gets wet, it could irritate your skin or lead to an infection. So cover it with at least two layers of plastic when you bathe or shower.

What type of cast can get wet?

Waterproof casts are made from Gore-Tex and will allow you to get your cast wet when showering or swimming. Waterproof casts tend to produce less sweat and odor and help keep your skin cleaner.

How do I know if my cast is infected?

For instance, your cast may need to be replaced if you notice: A foul smell, which may be a sign of an infection. Increased pain or a tight feeling after a few weeks, which may be swelling that isn't going away. Numbness and tingling, which can mean there is too much pressure on your nerves.

How wet is too wet for a cast?

Keep the cast dry

So your cast must stay dry. Don't do activities that can get your cast wet. These include swimming, fishing, washing dishes, and even going out in the rain. Bathe as directed by your healthcare provider.

Can urgent care cast a fracture?

Urgent care facilities, while having access to imaging tests and medical professionals to serve patients with broken bones that require casts or splints, might recommend visiting an emergency room if they feel the broken bone needs emergent attention.

What is an unsafe cast?

"Unsafe" cast operator

If the cast isn't possible, the compiler throws an exception. This is why it's called unsafe. In the previous example, if y is null , the code above also throws an exception. This is because null can't be cast to String , as String isn't nullable.

What do I do if my son gets his cast wet?

If the cast gets wet, use a hair dryer on the cool setting for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat as needed. If the cast gets too wet and will not dry, call the orthopedic office. Your child may need to have a new one put on.

What to do when the inside of your cast itches?

Itching skin

Do NOT put any objects inside cast to scratch. You may blow air down cast by using a hair dryer, on the cool setting, to relieve itching. Rubbing skin above the cast or placing ice packs over the itchy area may also help. Over-the-counter Benadryl can also relieve itching, but may also cause drowsiness.

Is it normal for a cast to smell?

It's normal for your cast to get smelly after you've worn it for a while. But if you notice a foul odor or a discharge coming from the cast, it could mean your skin underneath is infected. Get it treated right away.

What happens if you accidentally get your cast wet?

While fiberglass casts are much more water-resistant than plaster casts, they are not completely waterproof and can become compromised if they get wet. The outer layer of the cast is waterproof, but the soft padding underneath is not. The moisture can cause the fibers to swell and loosen, leading to re-injury.

How to quickly dry a waterproof cast?

How and when to dry. Let the waterproof cast dry out completely before getting it wet again. Don't leave it wet at bedtime. Use a blow dryer on cold or very low heat to help dry the cast.

Why does my skin burn under my cast?

Itching or Burning Sensation Under the Cast

If the skin under your cast feels hot and itchy, it could be a sign of too much moisture trapped underneath, which can lead to skin breakdown and infection.

What to do if a splint gets wet?

Protect it with a large plastic bag closed at the top end with a rubber band. Use two layers of plastic to help keep the splint dry. Or you can buy a waterproof shield. If a splint gets wet, dry it with a hair dryer on the “cool” setting.

Why does my cast feel tingly?

Numbness or Tingling

This should wear off in a few hours. But if you feel constant numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes of the casted arm or leg, this may indicate that the cast is too tight or that a nerve has been injured.

Why does my cast hurt more at night?

At night, with less activity, movement of the synovial fluid is limited, which leads to pain and swelling.

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