Abstract

Cast Care

If you’ve ever had to wear a cast, you know that it won’t be long before it begins to itch. It can be maddening and relentless, and despite your physician’s warnings about scratching it with, say, a coat hanger, sometimes the urge can be overwhelming. Giving in to temptation, however, can have serious consequences. A break in the skin can lead to infection, long-term antibiotic use, surgery, and possibly, limb amputation. Children especially, need to be reminded not to place foreign objects down their casts, and if the patient experiences increased pain, burning, numbness, fever, chills or a foul odor or discharge, they should present to their physician immediately.