Health Tip: Take Care of a Cast
When a splint or cast is applied to help a broken bone heal, the cast itself requires some care.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:
* Keep your cast dry. Use two layers of waterproof protection to cover it when you shower.
* If you have a walking cast, give it plenty of time to dry and harden before you try to walk on it -- about an hour for a fiberglass cast and two to three days for plaster.
* Avoid letting sand, dirt or powder get into your cast.
* Don't pull out stuffing or break off edges of your cast, and inspect it regularly for weak spots or cracks.
* Don't stick any objects, powders, or deodorants underneath your cast. Talk to your doctor if your cast is itchy and you feel a significant need to scratch.
Health Tip: Buy a Safe Bathtub for Baby
Your baby needs his or her own place to take a bath. Tubs made for adults are simply too big and lack safety features for infants.
Use these guidelines, provided by the Nemours Foundation, to help select the safest tub for your baby:
* Look for tubs with a backing on the bottom, so it won't slip or move.
* Choose a tub that is made with thick, sturdy plastic. Make sure it can easily support the weight of your baby and the bathing water.
* Don't use any flotation device, bath ring or suction seat that doesn't have a safety belt. These devices can turn over, posing a drowning hazard.
* Don't use a foam cushion in the bath, as your baby may tear it and could swallow small pieces.
* Choose a tub with smooth edges.
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