Plaster Cast Care (Child)
A cast keeps a broken bone in place so it can heal. Plaster casts are heavier than fiberglass casts. But plaster casts shape better. This gives better support for certain fractures such as broken bones in a hand.
Casts are custom made. A cotton or synthetic lining is gently put around the fracture. This protects the skin. Moistened plaster tape is put in layers on top of the lining. The rough edges of the cast are covered with the lining or cotton gauze. Plaster casts may take several days to dry, depending on the size of the cast. You must take care to help the cast dry and to prevent dents. Children can go back to some of their normal activities once the cast is dry.
Home care
Follow these guidelines when caring for your child at home:
- Your child’s healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to ease pain and itching. Follow the provider’s instructions when giving these medicines to your child.
- Make sure the cast dries. Keep it uncovered for a few days. For larger body casts, you may need to turn your child every few hours. On humid days, you can use a hair dryer set on cool to help dry the cast. Limit how active your child is until the cast dries.
- Handle a wet cast carefully. To prevent dents, hold the cast with the palms of your hands instead of your fingers.
- Have your child sit or lie down and raise the injured area above heart level as often as possible for the first few days. This will help reduce swelling. Use a sheet of plastic to protect pillows from a wet cast.
- Put ice bags or packs around the cast to reduce swelling or ease itching. You can make an ice pack by wrapping a plastic bag of ice cubes in a thin towel. As the ice melts, be careful that the cast doesn’t get wet.
- Look at the cast every day for any damage such as a soft or flat area, flaking, or cracking.
- Check the skin around the cast several times a day. The skin should look healthy and not be swollen. Your child should be able to move all fingers and toes.
- Have your child wiggle toes or fingers or tighten and loosen muscles several times a day. This will help increase blood flow.
- Don’t let your child put objects inside the cast. Also don’t let the child stick anything inside the cast to scratch an itch
- Lessen itching by distracting your child. It may help to scratch the opposite limb or scratch the skin outside of the cast.
- Keep the cast dry. When your child is near water, wrap the cast in plastic bags.
- Clean the outside of the cast with a damp cloth and toothpaste or a gentle cleanser, if needed. Pat the wet area with a dry towel, then gently blow-dry with a hair dryer set on cool.
- Don't break off any edges of the cast. Only the healthcare provider should adjust or remove a cast.
- Look at the skin underneath the cast for the signs of infection listed below. Use a flashlight to help you see.
- If your child has a hip or large leg cast, talk with the provider about tips for how to use the toilet and how to prevent skin irritation.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider, or as advised.
When to get medical advice
Call your child’s provider right away if any of these occur:
- Fever (see "Fever and children" below)
- Chills
- Cast seems too tight or too loose
- Wet or soggy cast
- Pain gets worse or doesn’t get better when taking prescribed pain medicine
- Pale color or discoloration of skin around cast
- Numbness or tingling near or under the cast
- Signs of infection. These include redness, swelling, or pain that gets worse. These also include warmth or a foul-smelling fluid that drains from the cast.
- Surface of cast feels warm
Fever and children
Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:
- Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.
- Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
- Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.
- Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
- Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until he or she is at least 4 years old.
Use the rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, ask the healthcare provider what type to use instead. When you talk with any healthcare provider about your child’s fever, tell him or her which type you used.
Below are guidelines to know if your young child has a fever. Your child’s healthcare provider may give you different numbers for your child. Follow your provider’s specific instructions.
Fever readings for a baby under 3 months old:
- First, ask your child’s healthcare provider how you should take the temperature.
- Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher
Fever readings for a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):
- Rectal, forehead, or ear: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
- Armpit: 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
Call the healthcare provider in these cases:
- Repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in baby younger than 3 months
- Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under age 2
- Fever that lasts for 3 days in a child age 2 or older
StayWell last reviewed this educational content on 2/1/2020
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