What happens if a soft cast gets wet

Extreme skin maceration can lead to an infection and possibly require surgery to clean the damaged tissue. The risk of infection increases tremendously due to the open wound from the surgical procedure. The staff will get you in and replace the cast with a new one once the skin has dried. You should then call your orthopedic office to schedule an appointment for a replacement cast. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Making an extra trip to the doctor or urgent care is not ideal, but the risks of staying in a wet cast are far too great.

If it's not taken care of, you and your child could be dealing with "a fungus among us! Sign up to receive our once monthly email with up-to-date sports performance and sports medicine information from CHKD's sports medicine experts. Help me find at CHKD. Kids' Health Tips. Sports Shorts. NICU Doctors use waterproof casts only for some kinds of broken bones.

A health care provider such as an orthopedic surgeon, emergency room doctor, physician assistant , orthopedic technician, or nurse practitioner puts on the cast. If the cast is not waterproof, keep the cast and liner dry. A wet cast or liner can lead to a skin rash or infection. Casts that don't have a special waterproof liner must stay dry.

Even kids who are old enough to bathe alone will need help to keep the cast dry while bathing. If the cast or liner gets splashed, gently blow air into it from a hair dryer on the cool or fan-only setting. If some of the cast or liner goes under water or gets very wet, call your doctor. Health care providers take off casts with a small electrical saw.

The saw cuts through the cast material but stops before it touches the skin. When the cast is off, the skin will probably look pale, dry, or flaky. The hair will look darker and the muscles will look smaller. This is normal and goes away within a few weeks. Casts can be inconvenient, but most kids don't have any problems with them. Help your child care for the cast so it stays in good condition and does not lead to irritation. Within a few months, most kids can get back to all the activities they enjoy.

Reviewed by: Richard W. Kruse, DO and Susan M. Dubowy, PA-C. Orthopedics at Nemours Children's Health. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is a Cast? A cast is a hard bandage that keeps part of the body from moving so it can heal. See a doctor for help.

DO treat the cast as part of your body. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Childhood Injuries: Sprain vs. Fractures: Is Your Child at Risk? How to Treat 10 Common Playground Injuries. Trending Topics. What Parents Need to Know.

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