calling nurses, doctors...anyone

[melodygirl]

Is Benadryl (sp) the only/best over the counter med to take orally that will help with itching? Or is there something better. A topical solution is not an option. Wil has already ripped of the surgical bandages on his groin area due to itching and he's going crazy with itching under his splints, ace wrappings and casts.

Any ideas? I'm waiting on a call-back from dr's office but we know that can take a while when not an emergency.

 

[Miss Lee]

Melody, I found this article and it looks like it has some interesting suggestions for relieving itching under a cast. I also think Benadryl is a great choice.

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/brokenbones/ht/cast.htm

Look at item #4 in the above article.

 

[melodygirl]

Thanks Michele.

#4 blowing cool air into casts with blow dryer...never thought of that. We'll try it, but it won't help under the ace bandages and splints we can't remove.

The doc called and said give him Claritin by day Benadryl by night.

Off to the drugstore and bakery (for Mac;-) ).

 

[alsrnbsn]

Benadryl is the only thing I can think of OTC for itching. One good thing, though, the itching is a good sign...it means that he's healing.
Sorry to not be much help, though!

 

[melodygirl]

Michele,

I went to blow cool air into Wil's cast. He has ace bandages and the knee braces which can't be removed and they completely and snuggly cover the tops of Wil's casts.

Ain't life fun

 

[robyn6002]

Hi Melody - Sorry I don't know about this but do want to give you a GREAT trip.

See if you can get the MDs email address. I've had WONDERFUL results with email. 1. They can reply whenever they have a minute (even if you aren't there)
2. You have a paper trail - I find I miss stuff when I hear it.

Anyhow my son has some pretty major medical conditions and phone is DEFINETELY the way to go for emergencies but general questions email is great. I've done it with the brain surgeon, neurologist and Primary Care.

Anyhow hope that helps sorry I don't know about your questions.

Hugs, good thoughts coming Will's and your way.

 

[Miss Lee]

Oh Boo Hoo!! I guess it wouldn't help much to blow the cool air up from the toes. You could always ask the doctor if it would be okay to loosen up the splint and ace wrap just long enough to shoot some cool air under the cast.

Robyn has a great suggestion, by the way. Several of my DH's patients email him. I can't say if he answers email more quickly than phone calls, though. I'll ask him when he gets home.

 

[rnyogamom]

By day, some swear by clariten, zyrtec - often allegra....and 25-50 mgs of benadryl at night...topical helps might include Ruli gel, and hydrocortisone creams - there are more potent creams by prescription. ouchy, makes me scratch just reading about it!

 

[melodygirl]

Thanks everyone. Since topical isn't an option, we're just going with Benadryl.

About calling my son's orthopaedist, he was on the phone with my DH before I finished typing this original post and I had just hung up the phone! And it was Wil's surgeon, not his nurse or med students.
He's normally this "good" unless, of course, he's in surgery. I'd have to admit all of our kids' docs are, hmmmm, didn't mean to sound like I was complaining earlier.