In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic,Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) speaks with Dr. Scott Hoffinger, Medical Director of OrthoPediatrics, and Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, about rashes and infections that can develop under casts.
No need to worry about infection right off the bat if you or someone you know is in a cast. Casts do not cause infection; however, the environment inside a cast often allows bacteria to grow or spread more easily. We encourage you to pay attention to signs of irritation or pain inside your cast in order to prevent infection and/or a spreading rash.
What kinds of infections and rashes can you get inside a cast?
It is very important a cast is not too tight, as this can lead to pain inside of the cast caused by pressure. Some things that you can get from a cast are simple infections (pimples) and ingrown hairs. You can also get Impetigo (a skin infection) that will be both under the cast and elsewhere (normally above the cast).
Maceration is a condition that is caused by excessive exposure to moisture. Washing dishes, hot tubs, etc… are often the culprits. If you get your cast wet, priority #1 is getting the cast dry. To dry out your cast we recommend The CastCooler a product invented by a dad that wraps around your cast and attaches to your vacuum cleaner. A patented inverter valve blows cool air in your cast (fiberglass only) which dries out the moisture absorbing layers of your cast that are trapped next to your skin. Though rare, maceration can also be caused by unsanitary conditions while the cast was being applied.
The most concerning thing that was found by chance was chickenpox. If someone has chickenpox, doctors will remove the cast at the very least to look at the extremity.
Symptoms to be on the lookout for rash or infection: itching and burning of the skin under the cast (this is beyond the typical by-product of itchiness while wearing a cast). Visual signs of redness on the skin at the cast’s openings. Intense odor (again, beyond the by-product of wearing a cast). FYI… the CastCooler prevents the itch and stench of wearing a cast.
As always, it’s important to keep your cast clean and dry, and let your physician know if you suspect an infection or rash inside your cast.
Stay tuned for our next All Things Ortho! Leave your family-friendly comments below.
Insert the inverter valve and attach it to the hose of your vacuum cleaner.
Wrap the CastCooler around your cast to enjoy INSTANT RELIEF!
What does the CastCooler® do?
The CastCooler keeps your cast fresh and reduces itch by removing moisture from the lining under your cast. Simply wrap the CastCooler around your cast daily, and connect a standard household vacuum. After 10 minutes, moisture is removed. Without moisture, bacteria growth (the cause of odor and itch) is reduced. Your cast stays fresh!
How does CastCooler® work?
CastCooler creates a gentle vacuum on the outside of your cast, bringing fresh air between your skin and the cast. Airflow is directed through the lining of your breathable orthopedic cast removing moisture and cooling your skin. Without touching your skin, bacteria, itch and odor are significantly reduced. Your cast stays fresh.
Do I need a special vacuum?
The CastCooler works with a common household vacuum and hose attachment (not supplied).
Will the CastCooler® work with my cast?
The CastCooler works with all breathable orthopedic cast material (fiberglass, sorry not plaster..but less than 5% of casts are plaster…so you probably have a fiberglass cast) no matter size or limb, one size fits all! Use the CastCooler as often as you like, it cannot be overused. Whenever your cast is moist, hot or stinky…use it.
Kids and adults alike look forward to visiting Disneyland, whether it’s to make memories with family or friends, ride the attractions, sample the food, or go shopping. But once in a while, accidents happen and we wind up with a broken arm before a major trip like this.
You might first think you have to cancel the entire trip. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. Disneyland goes out of its way to accommodate all types of visitors and situations. The park’s many helpful services, along with common sense and functional products to keep your orthopedic devices (casts, braces, splints and wraps) clean and/or dry can ensure you, your family, and friends enjoy every minute of your trip, even when one of you has a cast.
Armz! (pictured in Going Dotty!) keeps casts clean, prevents snagging and scratching and Slingz! (pictured in Minnie Dots) durable double-faced designer fabric with extended length to prevent wrist drop, a thumb loop to prevent sling creep, and optional comfort straps and pocket (for keys, most cell phones, …) Also available in Legz! and Bootz!
First and foremost, talk to your doctor. While most rides at Disneyland are mild compared to other theme parks, it is always better to have a healthcare professional’s opinion. Once you get the go-ahead, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Check-in with Guest Relations when you get to the park. Disneyland’s Guest Relations can answer many of your questions about which rides you or your loved one can go on, whether you need a wheelchair, and if your injured party member is eligible for a Disability Access Service (DAS) pass. You can also call Guest Services ahead of your trip and explain your situation at (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.
Make note of first-aid locations in the park. First-aid stations are noted on printed park maps and also on the Disneyland app. Take special note of these ahead of time in case you need to stop at one during your day in the park. First-aid centers can assist you with any complications that arise from your injury. They can also store any medication you are taking that requires refrigeration.
Take care when entering and exiting rides. Even with a broken arm, you or your family member should be able to go on most rides at Disneyland. Take care when entering and exiting these rides, and make sure to keep the broken arm inside the ride at all times, so it doesn’t get bumped or jostled. Note that some rides, like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, are faster and more intense, and may not be suitable for someone with a broken arm. Check with Guest Services or a Cast Member before riding.
Consider renting a wheelchair. Since the body is working to heal itself after a broken bone, you or your loved one will most likely be extra susceptible to fatigue. While that makes standing in a long line for Peter Pan’s Flight, less than ideal, it doesn’t mean you have to cancel your trip. Because of COVID-19, Disneyland’s FASTPASS, which cuts down wait times for rides, is still suspended. Consider renting a wheelchair from the park instead.
Beat the heat. Casts are itchy, smelly, and hot, especially when you’re at an outdoor park for extended periods of time. Fortunately, there are accessories you can buy that provide some relief by drying and cooling the moist areas underneath the cast. One product we are HUGE fans of is the CastCooler™. The CastCooler provides amazing itch and odor relief for casts by drying out the bacteria-creating moisture that is a natural by-product from wearing a cast. You’ll need a vacuum cleaner with a hose. So, back to the hotel room, you’ll go. If you didn’t bring your vacuum cleaner with you 🙂 just ask housekeeping, they are very accommodating.
Explore waterproofing options for your cast. You don’t necessarily have to skip Splash Mountain because your arm is in a cast. While Disneyland, itself doesn’t provide waterproofing options for casts, there are many companies, including CastCoverz!, that make waterproof covers for casts, splints and bandages. Our go-to waterproof product is the DRYPRO* Cast Protector which is completely watertight keeping your casts and bandages dry. The DRYPRO offers the only arm cast protection in the world with the patented vacuum seal to keep you dry. AquaShieldUSA is our latex-free option.
Remember, the whole point of a trip to Disneyland is to have fun and forget the day-to-day grind. You shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced while you and your family try to do that. CastCoverz! offers a huge range of FUNctional, fashionable solutions, including waterproof covers, cooling accessories, and slings. Explore our range of products to make your trip to Disneyland comfortable, fashionable, and fun.
We’re well into the summer season now, which means many of us are still planning to head to the beach. If you’re wearing a cast you might be wondering if you’ll be able to enjoy the sand and sun or if you’ll just wind up hot, itchy, and with a lot of sand in your orthopedic device.
There’s no need to cancel your beach holiday just because you, your friend, or a family member has a broken bone. A few practical tips and one or two FUNctional accessories are all you need to keep your cast sand-free and dry so you can have an enjoyable, comfortable trip to the seaside.
Products such as DRYPRO and AquaShieldUSA make waterproof covers for arm and leg casts as well as bandages, splints, PICC lines, and prostheses. DRYPRO is the industry standard for superior water protection. AquaShieldUSA is our latex-free option. Waterproof covers are pulled over and sealed a couple of inches above the cast to keep water and sand out. They are reusable as well but keep in mind that they are not to be worn for extended periods of time.
Sizing is extremely important to get right when it comes to waterproof covers since they are considered medical products and are usually non-returnable items. Make sure you refer to the sizing information on each product page and if you need help, don’t hesitate to call us at 1(800) CASTCOVER (1-800-227-8268) for assistance. It is also important to note that covers like DRYPRO and AquaShield USA should never be worn with an orthopedic boot. CAUTION: FOR YOUR SAFETY never swim with an orthopedic boot. Click here to learn more about enjoying the beach while wearing a boot.
When it comes to keeping sand and other beach debris out of your cast the solution can be a simple item you can buy at the grocery store: Glad® Press‘n Seal®. Just wrap Press’n Seal around a cast and make sure to overlap so 1″ or 2″ of your skin provides the seal. It will keep you dry for light water activities (splash and plays, sprinklers, etc…) and will keep sand out as well.
If you do happen to get sand or debris in your cast, it’s best to call your doctor. Never attempt to clean it out yourself and never stick anything down the cast to try and get debris out. That can break or irritate the skin and lead to infection.
And if you do happen to get your cast wet or damp, the CastCooler® comes to your rescue! Just wrap it around the cast, grab the vacuum, plop on the couch to watch your favorite summer show or sports, attach the hose to the CastCooler and let it dry and cool your cast! If you happen to be staying at a resort or a hotel and didn’t bring your vacuum cleaner from home 🙂 just request a vacuum cleaner with a hose from housekeeping. They are often very accommodating to their guests.
