Day 31 (Week 5): The Jiggly Wiggles (Fighting That Itch)

It started about two days or so ago. We call it the jiggly wiggles. I noticed that she was wiggling her whole body and not looking too happy. Her grandpa pulled out a memory from his childhood when he was in a cast and noted that she was probably very itchy!

At first it wasn't so bad, occasional and passing. But today I spent a whole hour tapping/knocking her cast (it's supposed to help) and trying different positions for her to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. I also sent her Dad to the pharmacy to buy some Benadryl. The thing with Benadryl though, it's not recommended for children under 2. But we're going to call the doc tomorrow to get his recommendation. Until then tapping/knocking her cast and changing positions is all we can do.

I did some research and here's a list of things that hospitals recommend for itching when in a spica cast. Hoping that some of these tips work!

(The following passage courtesy of the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters)

Itching: (Children with Gor-TEX lined spica casts usually do not have problems with itching.)

• DO NOT let your child scratch or put anything into the cast. This may cause a sore or infection.
• DO NOT use powder or lotion inside the cast.
• Keep your child cool. Heat and sweat can make itching worse.
• Blow cool air into the cast using a blow dryer on the "cool" setting held twelve inches away. Do not use the warm or hot settings, it may cause burns.
• Give Benadryl to your child for itching. You can find it at pharmacies and some stores. Follow the directions on the label.
• Gently tap/knock on the cast above the area that itches.

UPDATE

We got permission from both the orthopedic pediatrician and her regular pediatrician's office to use Benadryl Allergy. We had to get the dosage and directions from her pediatrician - once a day, 1.5 ml. I think it is VERY IMPORTANT to get the pediatrician's guidance, because the orthopedic SHOULD NOT (as good practice) advise on dosage etc since they do not know your child's history. 

We only had to use the Benadryl once - and frankly the results were a bit disappointing. She stopped itching so much in a couple of days. And the best remedy turned out to be 'distraction'.