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If you're like most kids, you've probably broken a bone. Or maybe you know someone else who has. That means you've seen a cast. Do you know how a cast works? What it's made of? Whether it's OK to draw on one? Keep typing to find out more.
Think of a cast as a big bandage that has two layers. Inside there is a soft cotton layer. It rests next to the skin. This makes the cast more comfortable. It also protects the skin. Outside there is a hard outer layer. This layer prevents the broken bone from moving. Sometimes you can choose how your cast looks. You can pick cool colors or patterns.
Casts come in two types. The first type is made of plaster of Paris. You may have used this material for arts and crafts. Plaster of Paris is a heavy white powder. When it's mixed with water, it forms a thick paste that gets hard fast.
The second type is made of fiberglass. This is a plastic material. It can be shaped. Fiberglass casts come in lots of colors. These casts are lighter and stronger than plaster casts. That makes them easier to wear. It also makes them last longer.
Your doctor will make sure that all the pieces of your broken bone are in their proper places. Then he'll put on the cast to prevent the pieces from moving while they heal. This way they'll grow back together into one bone. It also prevents injury to the area around the bone. Most kids with broken bones say it actually feels much better once the cast is on.
How long do you have to wear a cast? Sometimes it's only for a few weeks. Sometimes it's much longer. It depends on the type of injury you have. It also depends on how badly the bone was broken.
Your doctor may put on the cast himself. Usually, though, another person who is specially trained to put on casts does it. First, he will measure the exact amount of soft cotton you'll need. Second, he will wrap several layers around the broken area. Third, he will dip the plaster or fiberglass layer in water. This softens it so he can shape it. Last, he'll wrap it snugly around the cotton. Before the outer layer dries, the cast may feel quite heavy. In a short time you'll get used to wearing it.
The cast may be on your arm. If so, you may be given a sling. A sling is a wide piece of cloth with straps. The straps go around your neck. They are attached to the cloth that goes around your arm. This will help you support and carry the cast.
The cast may be on your leg. If so, you might get crutches to help you walk. Crutches let you keep the weight off the injured leg. Too much weight can prevent the bone from healing properly. Sometimes you get a special shoe to wear over the cast. The shoe lets you walk without putting too much weight on the cast. It looks clunky, but it's better than being in pain!
So now that you have a cast, what do you do? Here are some tips. First, if you have a plaster cast, you don't want to get it wet. Water will make the cast loose or even come off. Then it will not be able to keep the bones from moving. Also, the cotton padding beneath is hard to dry. If it gets wet, your skin may develop a rash or infection. That means if you take a bath, you have to cover the cast with a plastic bag. You can also buy a waterproof sleeve. Depending on where your cast is, you may have to take a sponge bath. You use a wet sponge or cloth to clean the rest of your body. You can wash your hair in the sink or go to the beauty parlor. That way you don't risk getting the cast wet.
Third, watch for cracks. Now, your cast may have cuts or cracks in it when it's put on. Doctors sometimes make tiny cuts in the side. This allows room for possible swelling. Many times your body will swell near the broken bone. This is the body's way of healing itself. The liquid under your skin protects the broken bone from further injury. But, your cast may also develop cracks on its own. This happens if it has been hit