Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
Why do I have a cast? —
Your doctor gave you a cast to treat your broken bone. (A broken bone is also called a "fracture.") The cast will reduce your pain and protect your bone as it heals.
Casts are made of hard material that goes over a soft liner and padding. You will keep the cast on until a doctor removes it.
It's important to take care of the cast so that your skin underneath doesn't get hurt or infected.
Can I get the cast wet? —
It depends on what the cast is made of. Casts can be:
●Plaster – This is a smooth, white material. Plaster casts should never get wet.
●Fiberglass – This material is rougher on the outside. Sometimes, it comes in different colors. Fiberglass is waterproof. Casts made of fiberglass might be able to get wet, if the padding underneath is also waterproof.
Your doctor will tell you if your cast and padding are waterproof. Otherwise, do not get the cast wet.
If you need to keep the cast dry when you bathe, you can:
●Cover it with 2 plastic bags, and tape each bag (separately) to your skin with duct tape (figure 1).
●Keep the cast outside of the tub or shower when you wash your body.
Some people buy a waterproof cast cover to use when bathing. If you use one of these, it's still a good idea to keep your cast outside of the tub or shower. These covers are not completely waterproof.
If the cast is not waterproof but gets wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer on the cool setting. Do not use a warm or hot setting, because those can burn the skin. You can also use a vacuum cleaner that has a hose to help dry the cast. Put the hose next to the cast so you suck wet air out of the cast.
How else should I care for the cast? —
You should:
●Keep the cast clean, and avoid getting dirt or sand inside it.
●Do not put anything inside the cast.
●Do not put powder or lotion on your skin near the cast.
●Do not pull the lining out from inside the cast.
●Cover the cast when you eat, so it doesn't get dirty.
What if I have pain under the cast during the first few days? —
You can:
●Put ice on the cast – Use a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Do not put the ice (or other cold object) directly on your skin.
●Keep the cast raised (for example, on pillows) to help reduce swelling – To reduce swelling and pain, the cast needs to be raised above the level of your heart.
●Take medicine to relieve pain – If your doctor prescribed pain-relieving medicine, you can take that. You can also ask your doctor or nurse about taking over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).
If your pain suddenly becomes much worse in the first few days after your injury, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of a problem called "acute compartment syndrome," which is when pressure builds up in a group of muscles. It can happen if a cast is too tight. This needs treatment as quickly as possible.
What if my skin under the cast itches? —
You can use a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow air inside the cast. Do not put anything in the cast to scratch your skin.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call your doctor or nurse right away if:
●You have severe pain or pain that is getting worse.
●You have sores or cuts on your skin under the cast.
●The cast smells bad, feels too tight, or cracks.
●You cannot move your fingers or toes.
●Your fingers or toes are blue, gray, or cold.
●The cast is not waterproof and gets soaking wet.
Patient education: How to care for your child's cast (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Acute compartment syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a splint (The Basics)
Patient education: Sprains (The Basics)
