Fiberglass Cast Care (Child)

A cast keeps a broken bone (fracture) in place and helps it heal. Fiberglass casts are made of a manmade  material that breathes. These casts are lighter in weight than plaster casts. They resist water and come in a variety of colors.

Casts are custom made. A cotton or manmade lining is gently put around the fracture. This protects the skin. Fiberglass tape is put on in layers on top of the lining. The rough edges of the cast are covered with the lining or with cotton gauze. Fiberglass casts dry very quickly, usually in less than 1 hour. During this time, the skin under the cast may feel warm.

Home care

Your child’s healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to treat pain and ease itching under the cast. Follow the provider’s instructions for giving these medicines to your child.

General care

• Have your child sit or lie down and keep the injured area raised above heart level as often as possible for the first few days. This will help reduce swelling.
• Put cold packs around the cast as directed to reduce swelling or ease itching. Do this for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours the first day for pain relief. You can make an ice pack by wrapping a plastic bag of ice cubes in a thin towel. As the ice melts, be careful that the cast doesn’t get wet. Continue using the ice pack 3 to 4 times a day for the next 2 days. Then use the ice pack as needed to ease pain and swelling.
• Look at the cast every day for any damage. This could be a soft or flat area, flaking, or cracking.
• Check the skin around the cast often. The skin should look healthy and not be swollen. Your child should be able to move all fingers or toes.
• Have your child wiggle toes or fingers or tighten and loosen muscles several times a day. This will help increase blood flow.
• Don’t let your child put objects inside the cast. Also don’t let your child stick anything inside the cast to scratch an itch.
• Reduce itching by distracting your child. It may help to scratch the opposite limb or scratch the skin outside of the cast.
• Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions on keeping the cast dry. Even though fiberglass casts resist water, it’s important to keep the inside dry to avoid skin irritation.
• Watch for any snags on clothing or furniture. Fiberglass tends to be bumpy. Avoid breaking off any edges of the cast. Only your child’s healthcare provider should adjust or remove a cast.
• Look at the skin underneath the cast for the signs of infection listed below. Use a flashlight to help you see.
• If your child has a hip or large leg cast, talk with your child’s healthcare provider about tips for toileting and how to prevent skin irritation.
• If the cast covers a bony prominence like the heel or elbow, lift (elevate) off hard surfaces to prevent skin breakdown.  

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider, or as advised.

When to seek medical advice

Call your child’s health care provider right away if any of these occur:

• The cast cracks
• Cast seems too tight or too loose
• Wet or soggy cast for more than 24 hours
• Pain gets worse or isn’t controlled by prescribed pain medicines
• Pale color or discoloration of skin around cast
• Numbness or tingling near or under the cast
• Signs of infection: increased redness or swelling, warmth, worsening pain, or foul-smelling drainage
• Surface of cast feels warm
• Fever (see Fever and children, below)

© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. This information has been modified by your health care provider with permission from the publisher.