What do I do if I get my cast wet?

Author: Seth Veum  |  Last update: Saturday, May 31, 2025

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.

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

Be sure to call your doctor if your cast or splint gets very wet or it's irritating your skin. And call right away if your cast or splint feels too tight, your pain gets worse, or your hand or foot is cool or pale or changes color.

What happens if you accidentally get your cast wet?

If a plaster cast gets wet, it can soften and fall apart. And if the padding of a fiberglass cast gets wet, it can irritate and damage your skin.

What to do if water gets in your cast?

Plaster cast.

It can start to dissolve or irritate your skin. Take baths instead of showers. Cover the cast with a plastic bag or a sleeve sold in drugstores. If it gets wet, dry it with a blow-dryer on a cool setting, or suck air through the cast with a vacuum cleaner hose.

How long does a cast need 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.

"My Cast Got Wet" - FAQ's, What to Do & Know

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 to tell if a cast is too loose?

How to Check for Looseness. Perform the "two-finger" test. If you can slide more than two fingers between your skin and the cast, it could be too loose.

What to do if my splint gets wet?

Tape a sheet of plastic to cover your splint when you take a shower or bath, unless your doctor said you can take it off while bathing. If you can take the splint off when you bathe, pat the area dry after bathing and put the splint back on. If your splint gets a little wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer.

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.

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.

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.

Will urgent care put a cast on?

Urgent care facilities can provide care when the fracture is not severe and is not in a compromising location. They have access to imaging tests and physicians who can serve patients for fractures that require casts or splints.

Is it OK to sleep with a cast on?

Yes. This is probably the most important thing to remember when sleeping with a cast, no matter what bone you've broken. Keeping the injured bone elevated above the heart prevents blood from pooling around the break which can cause painful swelling.

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 a cast gets wet inside?

A wet cast can lead to skin irritation or infection. Plaster casts and fiberglass casts with conventional padding aren't waterproof. Keep your child's cast dry during baths or showers by covering it with two layers of plastic, sealed with a rubber band or duct tape.

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.

How to cover toes in a cast?

3 Ways to Keep Your Exposed Cast Toes Warm During Winter
  1. Cast Sock. The challenge is not only covering your exposed toe but the bulk and size of your cast. ...
  2. Big Slipper. If you have small feet to begin with you may be able to fit your cast and all into a very large men's slipper. ...
  3. Toe Warmer.

How do you clean a wet cast?

When the cast gets wet in the shower or the pool, the most important thing to remember is to flush the cast area with a solution of mild soap and water, followed by a thorough rinsing with a forceful stream of clean water. It is recommended to get the cast wet at least once every day to reduce odor and irritation.

How to dry a wet cast?

If the cast or liner gets splashed, gently blow air into it from a hair dryer on the cool or fan-only setting. If some of the cast or liner goes under water or gets very wet, call your doctor.

What to do if your cast is hurting you?

It is typical for a cast to be snug and uncomfortable at first, but if it rubs against the skin and causes pain, it is a good idea for a person to contact a healthcare professional. A medical professional can resolve most issues that cause a cast to rub on the skin by adjusting or replacing the cast if necessary.

Why does hair grow under a cast?

o Do not be surprised if their arm/leg looks a little bit more hairy or skinny in comparison to the other side. It became more hairy due to the fresh blood supply at the fracture site and friction of the cast that stimulates the hair follicles. Muscle tone will come back with routine use.

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