The skin under the cast burns or stings.

You feel a warm or painful spot under the cast.

If the skin gets red or irritated around the edge of the cast, you may pad the edges with a soft material or use tape to cover them.Ĭall your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

Don't use oils or lotions near your cast.

Never stick items under your cast to scratch the skin.

Try blowing cool air from a hair dryer or fan into the cast to help relieve itching.

If you have a water-resistant cast, ask your doctor how often it can get wet and how to take care of it.

It can make infection more likely if you have had surgery or have a wound under the cast.

(Don't take a bath unless you can keep the cast out of the water.) Moisture can collect under the cast and cause skin irritation and itching.

Use a bag or tape a sheet of plastic to cover your cast when you take a shower or bath or when you have any other contact with water.

But getting the inside wet can cause problems. The fiberglass part of your cast can get wet.

Try to keep your cast as dry as you can.

This helps reduce swelling and stiffness.

Wiggle your fingers or toes on the injured arm or leg often.

These exercises will help keep your muscles strong and your joints flexible while you heal.

Do exercises as instructed by your doctor or physical therapist.

If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.

Read and follow all instructions on the label.

Put a thin cloth between the ice and your cast.

Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake).

Put ice or a cold pack on your cast for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.

Try to keep it above the level of your heart.

Prop up the injured arm or leg on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the first 3 days.

When it's okay to put weight on your leg or foot cast, don't stand or walk on it unless it's designed for walking.

Fiberglass casts dry quickly and are soon hard enough to protect the injured arm or leg.

Follow your doctor's instructions for when you can start using the limb that has the cast.

Your doctor or a technician will take it off. After a cast is put on, you can't remove it yourself. A cast protects a broken bone or other injury while it heals.

Remove cast at home