Care of Plaster of Paris

During the early drying period, support the cast on a soft surface and handle it with open palms so fingertips do not leave dents. Follow the casting team's instructions about when the cast may bear weight.

Plaster is moulded around padding to hold an injured or corrected body part in position. Water can soften the shell and leave damp padding against the skin, while cracks or dents can create pressure points or reduce support.

Some swelling can develop after casting. Fingers or toes should remain their usual colour and temperature, and you should be able to move them unless your care team gave different instructions.

Raise the casted limb above heart level when advised, especially while swelling is settling. Move exposed fingers or toes gently, keep the cast away from water, sand and dirt, and check the skin around each edge every day.

Do not push objects, powders or creams inside to relieve itching. A cool airflow over the opening may help. Never trim, reshape or remove the cast yourself; contact the casting service if an edge rubs, the cast becomes loose, or padding slips.

Get urgent medical help for worsening pain that is not controlled as advised, marked swelling, new numbness or tingling, inability to move exposed digits, or fingers or toes that become pale, blue, unusually cold or increasingly tight.

Contact the cast clinic promptly if the cast becomes wet, soft, cracked, badly dented, foul-smelling or stained by fluid. Fever, burning pain, a sore at an edge, or an object trapped inside also needs assessment.

Ask when the plaster will be fully dry, whether you may put weight through it, how to bathe safely, which movements to practise, and where to call if swelling or rubbing develops. Confirm the planned review date and whether the cast will be changed or removed there.