OT 9 year old son broke his arm- how to keep cast dry

[mommy22pumpkins]

My poor little guy broke his arm two days ago. The technician said we can put a trash bag over it to keep it dry. I am just wondering if there are any tricks to keeping it really dry. Or any products that actually work that would allow him to shower/bathe without worrying about a few drops getting in there

I've never had a kid with a broken bone before so just figured I'd see if anyone has any advice. Thanks in advance for any help you can give to a clueless mom

 

[disneyfan007]

When my son had a cast on we just used the garbage bag or bread bag to keep it dry. I was picking up a prescription for my husband the other day and this particular drug store sells something geared for the purpose of keeping cast dry. I am not sure of the cost but maybe check with any of the drug stores around you they may sell somethiing similar.

 

[mousebymarriage]

my son broke his arm 2 years ago and we got him a waterproof cast cover at a medical supply store (I don't think CVS or other drug stores carry them, look in the phone book for Medical Supply stores in your area). The waterproof cast cover had a hard plastic ring around the top and in the center was a rubber material with a slit in it, you put your hand into the slit and all the way down into the "glove" part (the glove part was clear heavy duty pliable plastic that looked like a very long mitten. The water doesn't get in because the rubber part with the slit in it basically fits snuggly to your arm. He was able to use it in the shower or bath as long as he didn't fully submerge his casted arm he was perfectly dry. I know the waterproof cast cover came in a couple of lengths depending on if the cast was to your elbow or shorter (make sure to get the one for kids or it will be too big).
Good Luck!

*Don't forget to use some antibacterial wipes a few times a day to clean his hand and in between his fingers (since he can't was the casted one).
**His arm is gonna stink when the cast comes off but, don't worry the stink does go away after a bunch of really good washings.

 

[Mommee]

Our orthopedic office sold a water tight shower bag. DS used it several times over the course of the last few weeks and not a drop got in. I'm not sure where you get them from-this was right at the office and cost us $20.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Our daughter is in a cast now. Our secret weapon is Glad Cling wrap for showers...recommended by her orthopedic surgeon! It works great! If it will be a while before he gets it off, you might also consider Dry Pro cast protector. We purchased this for our daughter (kind of pricey, $40) but so worth it as I hear her now splashing and swimming with her friends in our pool! You just give them the dimensions of the cast, and it will be at your door within 48 hours.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

DUCT TAPE!!!

and it come in colors!

 

[locodemickey]

My daughter broke her arm the day before we went to Disney last summer and we were going to be there for nearly a month, so I got her a waterproof cast (not anything to cover the cast - an actual waterproof cast). We had to get the cast down there in FL. We went to some doctor in Celebration. They did charge $50 extra for the waterproof one, but it was SO worth it. That cast was awesome!!!!!

 

[islangrl]

^^ I was just going to suggest a water proof cast. My 5 year old just got out of one two weeks ago. $35 extra, same amount of time for healing. There is no smell, no itching and as it's been 90 down here for weeks, surprisingly cool. You have to get it wet every other day and can even pour soapy water down it. The arm looked great after. When we first left the ER with the temporary one, the nurse said take a bunch of wet umbrella bags from the entrance and use some duct tape, so maybe you could try that.

 

[scjo68]

Our daughter is in a cast now. Our secret weapon is Glad Cling wrap for showers...recommended by her orthopedic surgeon! It works great! If it will be a while before he gets it off, you might also consider Dry Pro cast protector. We purchased this for our daughter (kind of pricey, $40) but so worth it as I hear her now splashing and swimming with her friends in our pool! You just give them the dimensions of the cast, and it will be at your door within 48 hours.

I agree with Glad Cling Wrap! Worked great for DD!

 

[donac]

I know you can get something to proctect it at Walgreens. I got something to protect my foot after surgery from there. Look where the braces are.

 

[cluvsdisney]

My friend's daughter used this over her broken arm last summer.

http://www.amazon.com/Xerosox-Waterproof-Cast-Cover-Small/dp/B000PAN9XK

 

[cepmom]

I broke my wrist last month and used the waterproof cast cover mentioned above...the one with the hard plastic ring and long plastic like mitten. It worked great and my cast never got wet. I had wanted the waterproof cast but the cast tech talked me out of it and said I would be more comfortable in a regular cast and that I shouldn't be getting soap and stuff down in the waterproof one

Anyway...hope your little guy feels better soon!! Broken bones stink!

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

We're dealing with this too. DD, 11 broke her arm 2 weeks ago. she has a cast from her finger tips to her armpit. We bought her a shower sleeve at Walgreens, it was about $25 and has been the best thing ever. it is the one that has the plastic mitten and the rubber ring. she can shower all by herself, which she likes and a huge plus for me.

Also we have found that a hair dryer on cool/cold setting blown up/down the cast keeps the itchies away. we've only needed it a few times since summer hasnt set in here.

Good luck!!

 

[Lorem Ipsum]

When my son broke his arm we got something from the doctor's office. A waterproof cast would be awesome.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I don't think the waterproof casts can be used if the cast is a full cast. DD has been in an arm cast 3 times in the past two years and only when it was a half cast did they let her have a waterproof one. Don't worry about a few drops-not a big deal.

 

[tink576]

Look up the product xerosox. They are waterproof cast covers good for half arm or full arm casts. They should sell them at local medical supply stores but here's the website for the company http://www.xerosox.com/

Both my brother and cousins have used these. Good luck finding something for your son!

 

[locodemickey]

I don't think the waterproof casts can be used if the cast is a full cast. DD has been in an arm cast 3 times in the past two years and only when it was a half cast did they let her have a waterproof one. Don't worry about a few drops-not a big deal.

My daughter's was from her hand to just below her armpit - it worked great I was so glad we didn't have to worry about getting it wet