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.
In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) discusses how and why it is so important to keep your cast dry, with special guests Paul Hunt (President, Co-Founder of HMP Enterprises, Inc.) and Bruce Maloy (CEO, Co-Founder of HMP Enterprises) representing DryPro®, a division of HMP Enterprises.
Getting a cast soaking wet creates many problems. A wet cast compromises the rigidness and integrity of your cast; which is your healing orthopedic device. If saturated, you will need an orthopedic doctor visit to remove and replace it and check for skin infection. In addition, water-damaged casts are typically not covered by insurance. All doctors recommend to not get the cast wet. Some are skeptical about the efficacy of any waterproof cover, even DryPro, the gold standard in waterproof cast covers. So be sure to check with your doctor.
When shopping for a waterproof cast cover, we strongly recommend DryPro’s vacuum-seal technology, to ensure that no water is able to enter the cast cover while swimming, bathing or enjoying water activities.
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.
Summer days are 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.
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 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.
