If you have a cast or splint, you need to take good care of it to help your injury heal right.

Most casts and splints are made of fiberglass.

If your doctor applied one of those, it will dry quickly.

A plaster cast or splint may take a few days to dry completely, so don't put any weight on it for the first 48 hours.

Be careful to keep your cast or splint dry.

If it gets wet, it could irritate your skin or lead to an infection.

So cover it with at least two layers of plastic when you bathe or shower.

Garbage bags work great. Just tape them around the top.

And try to keep your cast out of the tub or shower.

If you want to use an ice pack, seal the ice pack in a plastic bag to help keep the cast dry.

Put a thin towel over your cast or splint, then apply the ice pack.

If your cast or splint gets a little wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer set on low.

If the edge of the cast rubs against your skin and bothers you, don't do anything to the cast itself.

Instead, pad the edge with a soft cloth or tape.

Don't use powder, lotion, or oil on the skin under the cast or splint.

And don't let any dirt or sand get into it.

Never stick anything inside your cast.

If your skin gets itchy, you can use a hair dryer or fan to blow cool air into the cast.

Now, while your injury is healing, you'll want to keep an eye on it.

Your doctor will tell you what to watch out for.

Be sure to call your doctor if your cast or splint gets very wet or it's irritating your skin.

And call right away if your cast or splint feels too tight, your pain gets worse, or your hand or foot is cool or pale or changes color.