Plaster cast in the heat - any tips?

[CatsLikeBoxes]

I have a plaster cast on my hand... it is soooo hot and uncomfortable today, I'm dreading the next 2 days.
Directing a fan at my palm helps a bit, what else can I do other than lie down and moan gently in a self pitying manner?

Put a plastic bag over it and dunk it in ice cold water

Good idea. Though not so practical for work. I've got a special waterproof cover - if only I'd bought 2 I could have worn both, and put ice cubes between them!

That's actually a good idea and you could fashion something using a bag over your hand and the ice cubes in the cover.

Even better if you have ice packs as they do t melt

Feel your pain OP! I don’t understand the British obsession with a plaster cast, it’s such a miserable experience. When I broke my ankle abroad years ago I had a vacuum boot that could be removed and liner washed (after the first week, and very carefully with foot still on a bed/stool to start with) but was so comfortable and supportive. Both myself and an acquaintance on the continent have broken wrists at the mo with almost identical x rays ( we do the same sports, I need to give up sports I think!). I’m in a miserable sweaty backslab still that’s hot, itchy, heavy and smells a bit and am 9 days in. She has a lightweight moulded fibre wrist support brace that’s water proof and can be showered in etc. and again can be removed for cleaning and later for early joint mobilisation which I won’t get. So no real tips other than what you are doing, but maybe we should campaign for change!

Oh yes, ice packs wrapped round my entire arm (over the waterproof cover of course!) sounds perfect. I wish I had considered this earlier, do pharmacies sell ice packs??

@lampygirl
I'm definitely up for a campaign! It sounds like better solutions are out there. Mine is just supposed to be to protect it while they decide if it needs surgery - if it does I'll have to wear a cast for weeks afterwards too. I am not happy!

@CatsLikeBoxes fingers crossed you get the quickest recovery solution! I’m non displaced so hoping for just 4 or 5 more weeks, and at least for something lighter at next weeks clinic.

apparently you can blow a hairdryer on cool down it but I’ve not tried it.

Forget the bag - clingfilm over it and inside the cover with ice packs. That should help. Or ditch the cover and just wrap the ice packs in the clingfilm around the cast, this way your hand will remain free.

When I had a cast on my ankle, I used to push frozen jubbly ice pop down the top and in my toes!

Last time I broke my wrist I was working with horses and had access to a freezer full of ice boots. Below is a similar thing, only not so expensive that might help?

www.amazon.co.uk/Premium-Reusable-Gel-Storage-MagicGel/dp/B01CR00XUC/ref=asc_df_B01CR00XUC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=375433437315&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18258352619087007920&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046823&hvtargid=pla-452569573419&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=79626467031&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=375433437315&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18258352619087007920&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046823&hvtargid=pla-452569573419

@ElspethBoomingHowsen
I could perhaps slide a few ice poles down the top, then eat and replace!
@QuestionableMouse
That looks like it would be very effective, it must have been handy to have access to that kind of thing in your time of need!
@Penfelyn I think if I can find ice packs in a nearby pharmacy I will try your solution for the next 2 days. Sadly my thumb is entirely covered to the tip, and it's slightly restricting my knuckles too, so my hand is of very little use to me other than mumsnetting and inserting my contact lenses

Be wary of pushing anything inside a plaster cast, especially if the break is complex - you can do a lot of damage quite easily.

Agree with the PP who queried the British obsession with plaster casts - I lived in Japan for some years and broke a few bones during that time, which were better supported with vacuum casts. They are expensive, though.

Mine's a ligament injury which hasn't healed, and I certainly wish they'd been able to give me something less unbearable!

Considering it was one of their horses that broke it, ice boots were the least they could do 😂😁

@lampygirl sometimes they improve outcomes. I was offered either when I broke my wrist 4 years ago. I chose a brace without ( stupidly) researching. Hadn’t healed after 4 weeks and I then had longer with a cast.