Tag Archives: CastCooler

Rashes and Infections That Can Develop Under Casts

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. 

how to CastCooler leg demonstration

How To: CastCooler® Leg Demonstration

In this Facebook Live: All Things Orthopedic, Annette de Lancey (Founder and Owner of CastCoverz!) gives a helpful tutorial on how to use CastCooler®.  

Steps:

  • Remove the CastCooler from packaging (And remove your CastCoverz! cast cover).
  • Remove paper backing from the CastCooler.
  • 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.

The Accidental Entrepreneur

Owner & founder of CastCoverz!, Annette Giacomazzi, started out just like any other empathetic mom… wanting to make her daughter’s 6th broken bone a little more bearable. Annette began creating cute & fun covers for Elli’s casts, which quickly evolved into slings, seasonally themed cast covers– you name it! The ideas just kept coming!  Friends and family are supposed to “ooh” and “aah” and be supportive of an injured child or a mom with an idea.  But, it’s when strangers stopped them on the street that Annette had her “AHA!” moment and CastCoverz! was born.

First, Annette’s family contributed as the hands and feet of the business, out of their home.  The first employees even worked out of their home!  Eventually, CastCoverz! expanded to a warehouse that required a full team of sewists, shippers and customer service gems! Having found a unique niche in the orthopedic retail market, Annette created a flourishing business.

Fast forward 13 years, CastCoverz! is now the largest online retailer for orthopedic products and has earned its title by providing fun & functional products to comfort orthopedic patients. We are proud to have served hundreds of thousands of customers and retailers around the world.

Share Your Story!

Our customers are the heart & soul of our success! We LOVE seeing how CastCoverz! has helped you Feel Better so you can Heal Better! Share your family-friendly stories with us at cs@castcoverz.com for a chance to be featured on our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/castcoverz)

More Info

Questions about sizing or custom cast covers? Give us a call 1-800-CASTCOVER (1-800-227-8268)

Water Fun and Summer Relief (Even in a Cast)!

Tis’ the season for all things FUN in the SUN!… and for most of us that means enjoying the WATER! But what happens when you find yourself stuck in a cast at the peak of the summer season?! At CastCoverz! we have items to help you, or your loved one, get through the summer with a cast (or a splint or a PICC line or a bandage) and still have a blast!

Likewise, if you’re going to the beach and have a cast or an orthopedic walking boot (also known as a fracture boot or walking cast) check out our post, How To Keep Sand Out of Your Cast and Walking Boot. 

Read on for waterproof cast fun and relief from hot, itchy and smelly casts:

Waterproof Cast Covers for Arm and Leg Casts 

Waterproof Cast Cover at CastCoverz!

Waterproof cast covers keep summer fun!

CastCoverz! is proud to partner with AquaShieldUSA – the oldest manufacturer of cast waterproof products in the United States. AquaShieldUSA waterproof cast covers keeps bandages, casts, splints, PICC line, and prostheses dry from showering/bathing, even swimming. Even so, it is easy to take on and take off, there is no pump, it is latex-free and reusable.

Want to order a waterproof cast cover for your arm or leg cast?
Sizing is very specific. Please refer to our website and videos to obtain correct sizing information (click on links below to be taken to the correct page). 

Waterproof Cast Covers for arms and legs are available for children and adults. 

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CastCooler® for Relief from Itchy Casts

CastCooler Relief for Itchy CastsNo one likes an itchy, hot cast. Unfortunately, those are common side effects of wearing a cast, whether it be summer or middle of winter.  CastCooler® to the rescue!

CastCooler® is designed to concentrate cooling and drying on moist areas under your cast. It will:

  • Cool your cast
  • Reduce odor and itch
  • Freshen your cast
  • Speed dry your cast

CastCooler® fits SPICA casts, breathable fiberglass casts, braces, and splints. It does not work on plaster casts (sorry!). One size fits all!

Click here to learn more about CastCooler® 

At CastCoverz! we know that being in a cast may not be fun, but it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, itchy, smelly or stop you from running through the sprinklers! Feel Better, Heal Better with CastCoverz!