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Post by busy on Jul 13, 2021 21:35:01 GMT
DS broke his radius and growth plate last night in a bad slide in a baseball game. He's got a splint now and will get his cast on Friday. It goes up past his elbow and is to be in a sling to keep it level across his chest. He's right handed, and it's his left arm, so at least that's something.
But, bathing. I know we need a cast cover, but since that will also cover his hand... how in the world does he accomplish washing his hair? He's 13 and really is not interested in either DH or I helping him in the shower, but we're not coming up with better ideas. Is there a magic trick here?
What about washing hands? It seems like the left one is basically off the table - just using a wash cloth on it. But what about the non-casted hand? How does one wash with only one hand?
What other basic things am I not thinking of? I'm sure these are stupid questions, but neither DH nor I has ever had a cast on an arm and we're a little befuddled.
ETA: Somehow I was not aware the waterproof casts are a thing lol. That sounds amazing. Those of you with experience with them... are they all they're cracked up to be? Are there downsides? My son LOVES swimming and is heartbroken to not be able to this summer, so I'm really interested in this option. I'm going to ask about a waterproof cast on Friday but would love to hear any first-hand experiences with them.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Jul 13, 2021 21:36:51 GMT
Could you wash his hair for him at the sink?
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Post by busy on Jul 13, 2021 21:39:25 GMT
Could you wash his hair for him at the sink? I don't think that would work with the way the splint/cast are - but we can try and see.
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Post by sabrinae on Jul 13, 2021 21:55:29 GMT
Glad press and seal to cover the cast during showers. It will stick to the cast and skin and we found it works better than a cast cover. We did a couple of layers of press and seal and then a trash bag. Hair is really hard one handed — it’s doable though with a little practice especially if his hairs pretty short. My girls and I all three have had casts over this year — their ankles and my arm — we all found a hand held shower head very helpful to try to keep the water away from the cast. We also used body wash wipes to help clean up between showers because showering was a bit of a production. I even took my oldest to the hair salon just to get her hair washed several times because she had really long hair it was just difficult to really get it clean even with my help. We tried the sink and it didn’t work very well. The wipes are especially helpful for the areas right around the cast. Also keep a good moisturize around for his fingers and hands — they will start peeling and once the cast is off his arm will really peel for a week or so.
ETA: I hope he’s feeling okay. My youngest broke her growth plate at the ankle last year — she said it was pretty painful the first 2-3 weeks but then the pain got significantly better. We rotated ibuprofen and Tylenol but she still had a really hard time at night with the pain for the first couple of weeks. If we can prop his arm at all — it helps with the swelling and pain. I hope everything heals well
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Post by ntsf on Jul 13, 2021 21:57:56 GMT
you don't need a cast cover.. take a big garbage or tall kitchen bag. tape it closed above cast or use a rubber band (not too tight) wrap the top of the bag with Glad press n seal plastic wrap..go around 2-3 times. then tape down the top of that. (paper med tape is ok). this has worked for years on my dh's leg cast.
wash his hair at the sink. use a washcloth (have him do this) to wash fingers in cast he can use a washcloth to wash his free hand too.. just put in sink, rub around on cloth, then rinse he can wash hair with one hand. unless it is really long.
elevate arm as needed. do not stick anything down a cast.. if it itches or is uncomfortable, use a hair dryer on cool air to blow down it. don't do anything so that you sweat.
ask for more info from where he got the cast, they can suggest solutions. if it is uncomfortable (not arm pain) get it fixed or redone.
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Post by christine58 on Jul 13, 2021 21:58:26 GMT
But, bathing. I know we need a cast cover, but since that will also cover his hand... how in the world does he accomplish washing his hair? He's 13 and really is not interested in either DH or I helping him in the shower, In the sink..either he bends forward or sits in a chair. It can be done. Glad press and seal to cover the cast during showers. It will stick to the cast and skin and we found it works better than a cast cover. We did a couple of layers of press and seal and then a trash bag. Hair is really hard one handed — it’s doable though with a little practice especially if his hairs pretty short. My girls and I all three have had casts over this year — their ankles and my arm — we all found a hand held shower head very helpful to try to keep the water away from the cast. We also used body wash wipes to help clean up between showers because showering was a bit of a production. I even took my oldest to the hair salon just to get her hair washed several times because she had really long hair it was just difficult to really get it clean even with my help. We tried the sink and it didn’t work very well. The wipes are especially helpful for the areas right around the cast. Also keep a good moisturize around for his fingers and hands — they will start peeling and once the cast is off his arm will really peel for a week or so. This!
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 13, 2021 22:03:51 GMT
One of you might just have to be in the bathroom to at least assist during showers by squirting things onto his hand--however if you only have shower doors that might make it a little more difficult. Maybe he could shower in shorts or underwear? But I think he's going to figure out really quick that he will need help.
My youngest broke his left arm, but he was only in 1st grade so it was easier to help/do things for him.
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Post by sabrinae on Jul 13, 2021 22:04:57 GMT
Another thing I just thought of — both girls found it helpful to ice right above the cast and their toes when they were having a lot of swelling. The swelling caused the worst pain for them — one broke her ankle and the other had ligament reconstruction surgery. The surgeon highly recommend icing after surgery but the orthopedic dr for the break oked it as well.
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desertgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,646
Jun 26, 2014 15:58:05 GMT
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Post by desertgirl on Jul 13, 2021 22:08:39 GMT
Have him wear a bathing suit so it can be done by your DH if he won’t do it at a sink.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,277
Jun 26, 2014 5:46:37 GMT
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Post by lindas on Jul 13, 2021 22:09:30 GMT
It’s not easy but you can wash your hair with one hand. I had to do it when I broke my arm. I have something similar to this link is my shower and it was a big help. You can hold your hand under it and pump with your thumb. If you have a space for it you could put a little shampoo with a bit of water in a small cup that he could pour on his head. A loofah on a long handle makes back washing easier. Put the body wash on it before he gets in then all he has to do it wet it.
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Post by malibou on Jul 13, 2021 22:15:34 GMT
When Ds had casts, we got him a scalp/shampoo scrubber. He could easily clean his hair one handed with it. For his good hand we had a small tub that we hot glued a sponge to the inside of. He filled it with water and a squirt of soap and he could swish his hand around and scrub against the sponge.
So sorry that happened to him. A summertime cast is no fun. The smell. Gag.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,816
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Jul 13, 2021 22:21:15 GMT
Field Dressing Gloves (like what you would use to clean a deer) from Amazon! Game changer when I was in a cast for broken wrist (cast over the elbow).
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Post by busy on Jul 13, 2021 22:28:00 GMT
Glad press and seal to cover the cast during showers. It will stick to the cast and skin and we found it works better than a cast cover. Really??? We had this style of cast cover for his leg when he had surgery and I don't recall having any issues with it. But if the press & seal/garbage bag combo works better, we could give it a shot.
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Post by busy on Jul 13, 2021 22:29:53 GMT
When Ds had casts, we got him a scalp/shampoo scrubber. He could easily clean his hair one handed with it. Oh, that's a great idea! I have one - never thought about it for this purpose.
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Post by hosschick on Jul 13, 2021 22:42:34 GMT
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Post by sabrinae on Jul 13, 2021 22:51:59 GMT
Glad press and seal to cover the cast during showers. It will stick to the cast and skin and we found it works better than a cast cover. Really??? We had this style of cast cover for his leg when he had surgery and I don't recall having any issues with it. But if the press & seal/garbage bag combo works better, we could give it a shot. The top of the cast cover we tried was a little different and it leaked. We didn’t have any leakage with the press and seal. If that style of cover worked well before it probably would now as well. The style we tried leaked.
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Post by ntsf on Jul 13, 2021 23:54:24 GMT
I quoted right off the literature that stanford hospital gives you with a cast... dh is still in the hospital --got his cast off and had a big metal cage to replace it.
he has been in many many casts over the years.
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Post by magellen on Jul 14, 2021 0:08:21 GMT
Hand shower and shower chair will help a lot
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Post by karinec on Jul 14, 2021 0:11:57 GMT
If he has to wear a sling all the time it will get very uncomfortable around the neck, esp with the added weight of a cast. Also in the summer it might be really sweaty as well. A technique to relieve the itch, It will get itchy in there at some point and you don’t want to use a coat hanger and risk breaking the skin.
I speak from experience on both counts, unfortunately!
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Post by karinec on Jul 14, 2021 0:15:17 GMT
Also if your kitchen counter is long enough he can lay on his back with his head in the sink to wash his hair, if the other way won’t work. Maybe some dry shampoo for in between washes? My kids were both girls so I don’t know if a boy would go for that.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jul 14, 2021 0:40:00 GMT
He will learn very quickly how to wash himself all over including his hair. Yes a hand held shower head and simple chair/stool will help. He will be a bit off balance in the shower. Think elastic waist pants. Big soft shirts or button up. Slipon shoes, won't be tying them soon. Oh or the elastic laces for his sneakers. Years ago I got a long handled shoe horn at the dollar store.
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Post by magellen on Jul 14, 2021 1:12:16 GMT
If he has to wear a sling all the time it will get very uncomfortable around the neck, esp with the added weight of a cast. Also in the summer it might be really sweaty as well. Something to scratch an itch inside the cast that isn’t pointy, like a plastic chopstick. It will get itchy in there at some point and you don’t want to use a coat hanger and risk breaking the skin. I speak from experience on both counts, unfortunately! Nope nope nope. Nothing goes in the cast , nothing. Always use a hair dryer set to cool.
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Post by ntsf on Jul 14, 2021 1:38:10 GMT
yeah.. nothing in a cast. dh sat in hong kong in the humid weather.. they finally took off cast to give his skin air.. but he never ever reached inside cast.. that's the way to extend medical care... and infection.
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Post by pjaye on Jul 14, 2021 3:16:16 GMT
Something to scratch an itch inside the cast that isn’t pointy, like a plastic chopstick. It will get itchy in there at some point and you don’t want to use a coat hanger and risk breaking the skin. ASOLUTELY NOT Do not EVER do this. I'm already assuming the OP has more sense that this but in case anyone else reads this and thinks it might be a good idea, it is always a definite NO and make sure the kid knows this in no uncertain terms. Firstly something can get stuck down there and either require the cast to be removed, or the person gets too embarrassed to tell anyone and it stays there and causes skin breakdown and infection. Even something with a blunt edge can cause a scratch to irritated, moist swollen skin under a bandage, and any break in the skin under a plaster that can be observed or cleaned is in danger of getting infected. I've seen a child need skin graft to their arm because they used a pencil to scratch under the cast and broke the skin. He kept complaining his arm hurt but his parents thought it was from the break and kept giving him pain medication...then it started to smell and when they took the cast off he had quite a large ulcer under there that required a skin graft. I also wouldn't recommend those gloves or any other contraption that encourages use of his hand, the point is the limb is meant to be resting to allow the bone to heal, finding creative ways to use the hand as much as possible isn't advisable.
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Post by hosschick on Jul 14, 2021 12:02:56 GMT
I also wouldn't recommend those gloves or any other contraption that encourages use of his hand, the point is the limb is meant to be resting to allow the bone to heal, finding creative ways to use the hand as much as possible isn't advisable. Sorry, I edited my post. I certainly didn't intend for anything to sound unsafe. My ortho recommended the ob gloves and I found them easy to use and handy in the rain .
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 14, 2021 12:22:16 GMT
I broke my arm multiple times when I was in elementary school, I echo he’ll figure out how to wash himself including his hair - it’s really not that big of a deal. A pump shampoo/soap is easier, but even that isn’t essential. Have him watch the old Amazing Race with Bethany in it - the girl who lost one arm in a shark attack - it’ll give him an appreciation for what one can do with one arm.
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Post by karinec on Jul 14, 2021 13:42:27 GMT
Something to scratch an itch inside the cast that isn’t pointy, like a plastic chopstick. It will get itchy in there at some point and you don’t want to use a coat hanger and risk breaking the skin. ASOLUTELY NOT Do not EVER do this. I'm already assuming the OP has more sense that this but in case anyone else reads this and thinks it might be a good idea, it is always a definite NO and make sure the kid knows this in no uncertain terms. Firstly something can get stuck down there and either require the cast to be removed, or the person gets too embarrassed to tell anyone and it stays there and causes skin breakdown and infection. Even something with a blunt edge can cause a scratch to irritated, moist swollen skin under a bandage, and any break in the skin under a plaster that can be observed or cleaned is in danger of getting infected. I've seen a child need skin graft to their arm because they used a pencil to scratch under the cast and broke the skin. He kept complaining his arm hurt but his parents thought it was from the break and kept giving him pain medication...then it started to smell and when they took the cast off he had quite a large ulcer under there ant required a skin graft. I also wouldn't recommend those gloves or any other contraption that encourages use of his hand, the point is the limb is meant to be resting to allow the bone to heal, finding creative ways to use the hand as much as possible isn't advisable. . I understand the alarm, I can guarantee there is going to be an itch, and that a child/ teenager will anything to scratch it, and even if you have told them a gazillion times not to stick anything down there, they will still do it. All I’m saying is to be prepared. I’m not saying to hand them something that wil lhurt, them, obviously.
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Post by karinec on Jul 14, 2021 13:55:25 GMT
I edited my post. I changed it to say, a technique to relieve the itch.
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Post by chitchatgirl on Jul 14, 2021 14:04:10 GMT
This is what I did. My arm was so swollen none of those cast covers fit. My break was very much like what was described by op. I also had a handled cup for my water. My other arm had a hairline fracture and it was hard for me to grip stuff but I could slip my hand in the handle and not worry about dropping it if my grip gave out. If he has short hair it’s going to be decently easy for home to wash his own hair. DH had to wash and dry mine for at least a month. I was so hopped up on Percocet in the first two weeks and then later was so weak all over that I could only wash myself while sitting down. I was shocked at how weak and yet starving all the time while my body was healing. It was insane. And I pretty much slept with ice packs and fans because I would be so freaking hot. But my poor traumatized left arm had several breaks and was as bi around as my leg. It was a cool summer 4 years ago but it was like I was going through menopause. Edited to add I bought a mesh sling for me to wear specifically when I would shower so it wouldn’t hold water and would dry between showers. It was such an ordeal to shower I could only do it every 2-3 days but it was totally worth it. I think it was like $10 on Amazon.
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Post by christine58 on Jul 14, 2021 14:06:55 GMT
ETA: Somehow I was not aware the waterproof casts are a thing lol. That sounds amazing. Those of you with experience with them... are they all they're cracked up to be? Are there downsides? My son LOVES swimming and is heartbroken to not be able to this summer, so I'm really interested in this option. I'm going to ask about a waterproof cast on Friday but would love to hear any first-hand experiences with them. I had one on my leg BUT you have to still dry them with a hair dryer. I would ask but I'd cover it anyhow. And he might get a plaster cast first then a waterproof one in 10-14 days
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