How to Itch Under a Cast
Wearing a cast over an injury can be a challenge, especially when the skin underneath becomes itchy. Your doctor will probably tell you not to insert anything between the cast and your skin to scratch it, because you will risk injuring your skin (which could lead to infection) and you could damage the cast. But there are other ways to ease the itch that will keep both you and your doctor happy. Try each of these methods in succession until you find one, or a combination, that works for you.
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Things You'll Need
- Blow dryer with a "cool" setting
- Bag of frozen peas
- Vibrating massager
- Benadryl antihistamine (diphenhydramine)
Instructions
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Safe Ways to Scratch the Itch
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1
Use the blow dryer on the cool setting to blow air down into the cast.
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2
Lay a bag of frozen peas over the cast; the coolness will help stop the itching. There are also retail products, such as CastCooler and Cast Comfort Spray available on the Internet that claim to cool the skin and relieve itching.
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3
Tap on the cast to relieve itching by creating a vibration. You may even be able to press a small, vibrating massager against the outside of the cast, but check with your doctor first, as too much vibration could crack the cast. (Your doctor uses a vibrating saw when removing casts.)
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4
If the itching is severe, or interfering with sleep, see if your doctor will allow you to take some over-the-counter Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
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Tips & Warnings
Talk to your doctor if you are having problems with itching beneath your cast. She may have other suggestions besides these.
Be aware of whether your cast is plaster or fiberglass. Plaster casts are white, while fiberglass casts come in a variety of colors. You should not use the vibrating massager method if you have a fiberglass cast (see Warning).
Using a vibrating massager on a fiberglass cast could shatter it.
You may hear the advice that shaking baby powder into the cast will relieve itching. Check with your doctor before doing this. Many do not advise it, because the powder can become wet with perspiration, build up, and irritate skin.
