How to Wrap a Cast for Bathing

A cast is a hard splint that is made from plaster or fiberglass to enclose a portion of an injured arm or leg during the healing process. They are left in place for four to six weeks as the broken bones heal. This can pose problems when it comes to bathing. It is important to keep the cast dry. Plaster casts can become unstable and crumble if they become wet, and if a fiberglass cast becomes wet, skin rashes can occur. Cover a cast with plastic material when bathing to keep it dry and safe.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag
• First aid tape
• Scissors

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Instructions

• 1

  Cut a plastic grocery bag or clear food storage bag into wide strips with scissors.

• 2

  Wrap the plastic strips around the cast area and secure with pieces of first aid tape.

• 3

  Apply additional strips of tape horizontally along the edge of the plastic to adhere it to the skin and block out moisture.