How to Bathe with a Cast On

The scheme of taking a bath with a cast on may be somewhat difficult, but actually it isn’t! Provided your cast is made of a water resistant material such as like fiberglass, you can keep your cast dry all the time.

There are 2 types of casts:

• Plaster cast

The material of this cast is plaster of Paris. This kind of cast has to be kept dry all the time for wetting will tarnish its strength to firmly hold in place the fractured bone. Be cautious if you cannot effectively dry your cast in case of accidental wetting, it is mostly likely to culture infection. Sometimes the material used for casting may irritate your skin and develop rashes around the injured spot.

• Fiberglass cast

This kind of cast is lighter but stronger than the plaster cast. Typically it is water resistant and hence offers you full liberty to bath with it.

If you happen to wet your cast by chance, dry the area immediately. For that you may use a hair blower or the cool setting or an electric fan to do this.

Some useful tips:

• Using a water resistant protection

This kind of protectors are made up of plastic and molded to adjust to a range of casting. Consult your reliable practitioner where you ought to procure a fitting one.

• Employing a plastic bag

In case you are not much intended to spend on purchasing a waterproof cast protector, the next best option available for you is having a plastic bag. You can use a bag spacious enough to amply accommodate your cast. Cover it under a cloth prior to sliding the plastic bag over the length of it. Fasten the bag with the help of a rubber band.

The cloth is basically meant to absorb any water that could percolate in. The arrangement imparts your cast an additional layer of shielding as well.

• Avoid taking shower

The vulnerability of soaking your cast in water is considerably higher under the shower than a gentle bath in the tub.

• Keeping cast out of the bathing area

While bathing assume such a posture as would keep your broken limb far away from the bathing area as much as possible. However, if you cannot manage with keeping your cast away, the best option available out there for you is to consent for a sponge bath.

• What is a sponge bath?

In a typical sponge bath the process of cleaning is carried out with the help of a sponge or any wet cloth that suits your skin. First it is employed when soaked in soap and then in water to finally clean your body.

• Using a stool – safety first!

Bathing over a stool is quite safe for a person with broken limb than in standing posture.

• Have someone help you

If your injuries are severe or fresh, it’s better to seek somebody’s help to best avoid your cast from wetting.

Mastering to take bath with a cast on is not a big deal. All you need to focus is to keep it dry always to avoid visiting the practitioner for a replacement cast which is indeed quite inconvenient and may cause any complication!