Category Archives: Itchy Cast Solutions

How to Do Disneyland With a Broken Arm

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.

How to Care for Your Cast and Have Fun at the Beach!

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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.

Your beach holiday should be about relaxing and enjoying time with your family and friends, not about stressing over how to keep a cast sand-free and dry. CastCoverz! offers a huge range of FUNctional, fashionable solutions, including waterproof covers, boot covers, leg covers, arm covers, slings and cooling accessories. Explore these and other products to make your trip to the beach as comfortable as possible.

How to Care for Your Boot During Your Trip to the Beach

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We still have many more summer days left for making beach memories with our family and friends. If you’re wearing an orthopedic walking boot, you might be wondering how you will be comfortable, make the most of your beach trip, and enjoy the sun and sand without winding up hot, itchy, and with a lot of sand in that big boot, post op shoe, “ Jesus Sandal”, fracture cast or walking cast or …. 🙂 .

There’s no need to cancel your beach holiday just because you, your friend, or a family member wears a boot. A few practical tips and one or two FUNctional accessories are all you need to have an enjoyable, comfortable trip to the seaside.

When it comes to keeping sand and other beach debris out of your boot, the solution is simple: Purchase a leg cast cover to cover your leg and toes from CastCoverz! then slide on your boot. Our Legz! products will keep most sand out of your toes. Legz! is a woven product so a little bit of sand could still wiggle through. If you have a leg cast, please read this article.

You can also purchase one of our Bootz! or BootGuardzXtreme! products. They are designed to cover orthopedic walking boots leaving the sole exposed for your safety (custom products are available for post-op shoes and “Jesus Sandals,” too). The Bootz! Is our daily wear product designed to cover the boot and to prevent velcro straps from catching and snagging everything–including blowing sand. Bootz! is available in solids and a variety of prints. Our Bootz! are designed to stretch around the perimeter of the edge of your boot leaving the sole exposed for your safety. PLEASE NOTE: Walking on “soft” sand tends to roll your foot. You are already compromised due to your injury and your gait is uneven due to the boot. Please be careful while in a boot. In addition, the sand could “push” against the side of the boot popping up your daily wear Bootz! so be sure to use and adhere the included repositionable adhesive strips that anchor it to the sides of your boot. FYI…“Hard-packed” sand doesn’t roll the foot.

Our other product for orthopedic walking boots is our BootGuardzXtreme!. This is our sturdy, durable, back entry WEATHERproof product made for snow, rain, and some cases, sand. Made of a durable Denier©, think backpack material, your BootGuardzXtreme! is the ultimate in boot protection leaving the sole of your boot exposed for your safety.

Another option can be a simple item you can buy at the grocery store: Glad® Press‘n Seal®. To keep sand out of your toes while in a boot, wrap your leg with Press’n Seal and then put on your boot. If you have a shank to your boot (goes up your leg vs a post-op shoe / Jesus Sandal) you can cover it with a layer of Press ‘n Seal to prevent most sand from “sticking” to the velcro straps and padding. Note: depending on weather conditions and the length of time used this option is not necessarily reusable. CAUTION: FOR YOUR SAFETY never cover the sole/bottom of a boot with any product. Why? 2 reasons: #1 You could trip and re-injure yourself. #2 Material(s) is/are shredded when walked on. Think playing basketball in/on your driveway with only socks on. 🙂

WORD OF CAUTION: DO NOT SWIM WITH AN ORTHOPEDIC BOOT. There are no waterproof products to seal a boot. And CastCoverz! wouldn’t sell them if they were available. Why? 3 very good reasons:

The waterproof product would have to stretch around the diagonal circumference of your heel over the top of your boot and then “shrink” to seal around your skin above the boot. No waterproof material has that capability.
FOR YOUR SAFETY: If something happened (a small tear / rip) it would fill with water and make this a drowning risk.
FOR YOUR SAFETY: Do not cover the bottom of the sole of your boot/sandal as it could be a tripping hazard. And the material(s) is/are shredded by a boot when walked on.

If you are experiencing hip, knee or back pain since walking with a boot, combined with a tennis shoe, EvenUp© provides immediate relief! Many of our customers (and doctors) report physical therapy is often needed to correct the misalignment you may experience. So contact your doctor if the pain does not subside.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us at 1(800) CASTCOVER (1-800-227-8268) for assistance.

Your beach holiday should be about relaxing and enjoying time with your family and friends, not about stressing over how to keep a cast or walking boot dry and sand free. CastCoverz! offers a huge range of FUNctional, for the orthopedic patient, cast or boot. Explore these and other products to make your trip to the beach as comfortable as possible.

Cast Claustrophobia Syndrome: How to Keep Your Cool in a Cast!

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Diagnosis: Cast Claustrophobia Syndrome

Are you in a cast? Are you hot? Of course you are! Doesn’t matter the season, hot or cold, casts get hot. Think about it- you have layers of cotton next to your skin, wrapped with tape and finished with a glue that hardens to form a protective shell. Can you say claustrophobic?

Regardless of age or activity level (even lying on a couch watching tv) humans perspire; it’s our natural body regulating and cooling device!

Wearing a cast prevents this cooling process to occur. The heat you feel radiating from your body is REAL, it’s just trapped inside your cast.

Fighting that sticky discomfort is another uncomfortable part of wearing a cast, regardless of the time of year. When your arm or leg is itchy & hot you might find yourself getting heated and possibly anxious about your cast. At CastCoverz!, we call this Cast Claustrophobia Syndrome.

Luckily, we’ve got some cool suggestions for helping you “keep your chill” while wearing a cast.

Keeping Your Cool

CastCooler: We’ve been a HUGE fan of CastCooler ever since the company made their debut. One determined dad invented this device to help alleviate discomfort while wearing a cast. Their website states, “by creating a gentle vacuum on the outside of your cast or splint, airflow is directed through the lining of your cast/splint. This airflow immediately removes moisture and cools your skin. Without touching your skin, bacteria, itch, and odor are significantly reduced, and your cast stays fresh.” All you need is a vacuum with a hose. Check out their website for more info on this game-changing product, as well as a handful of awesome testimonials!

Oh, and it’s nearly indestructible! So, tuck it up on the top shelf of your medicine cabinet for the next injury in your family (we hope not! 🙂 ) OR we know someone in your circle (friends, neighbors, family, classmates, co-workers) will be in a cast and you can gift it to them! You’ll be loved forevermore for your thoughtful get-well gift.

Staying Hydrated: There are plenty of reasons to stay hydrated throughout the day, but a primary reason is that it helps your body stay cool! Sipping ice-cold water (even if you’re not feeling thirsty) will help lower your body temperature, therefore, cooling off your casted limb. You’d be surprised how much better and energized you feel when you’re well-hydrated!

An Icy Washcloth: Placing a damp washcloth in the freezer for a few hours and then placing it behind your neck or on your forehead is an instant fix for cooling down! While we don’t recommend placing an icy washcloth on your cast, you can try placing it around your elbow or behind your knee near the cast; this will at least help cool off the surrounding areas and wick away sweat in proximity to your cast.

Tip: Keep a good supply of ice packs and/or a bag of frozen peas handy. They can be strategically laid on top of a cast to help cool it (wrap it in a dishcloth to prevent condensation from getting your cast moist).

It’s KEY to avoid getting moisture inside your cast! Moisture and/or getting your cast wet can affect the efficacy of the cast and you could get maceration…a smelly, itchy skin condition. The last thing you want to deal with while healing it this uncomfortable irritant!

Take a Dip with AquaShieldUSA: Who doesn’t want to dip into a pool on a hot summer day?! Maybe you’re planning a trip to the beach and wanting to enjoy the waves? Whatever your hot summer day antidote is, we’ve got you covered! AquaShieldUSA is a watertight cast protector that seals around your limb, allowing you to keep your cast dry as you cool off! Don’t have a pool or a beach? Fill your tub with cool, tepid water! As you can imagine, finding the correct size in this product is essential for proper sealing (no leakage); check out the sizing chart on our website to make sure you cast will be sealed properly for ultimate protection!

Overcoming Cast Claustrophobia Syndrome

At the end of the day, it’s still frustrating to deal with an itchy, smelly cast as temperatures rise! Just remember- this is only temporary! Just as the seasons change, so does the state of your healing injuries. With proper care and rest, you’ll be out of your cast in no time! Stay positive and “keep your cool” while sporting your cast! Don’t let your elusive “cast claustrophobia syndrome” get the best of you.

What creative ways have you or a loved one cooled off while in a cast? Help your fellow members of the Broken Bones Club, by sharing your family-friendly ways to cool off while wearing a cast, below: