Plaster of paris (PoP) advice

Cork Emergency Departments

Contact the CUH Plaster Room [(021)4546400 x2445] immediately if you experience any of the following

• The toes or fingers become blue or swollen or you are unable to move the limb
• The limbs become painful
• You feel “pins and needles” or numbness
• Any blister like pain
• Discharge or wetness under the cast or an offensive smell
• If you drop any object under the cast

Dos and Don'ts

• Do allow the cast to dry naturally and leave it uncovered for 48 hours if Plaster of Paris and 1 hour if synthetic
• Do keep the joints that are not in plaster moving – especially the fingers and toes
• Do elevate (keep raised) your limb

• Don’t let the limb hang down
• Don’t get the plaster wet
• Don’t walk on a leg plaster until you have been told to so
• Don’t put anything under the plaster to scratch your skin, as you could tear your skin and cause an infection
• Don’t not sit close to the fire

Print Version

• If the cast becomes cracked, soft or loose please contact the Unit / Hospital / Care provider that applied the cast