How should a patient manage skin care after cast removal?

Soaking the area to remove dead skin is the appropriate method for managing skin care after cast removal. When a cast is taken off, the skin underneath is often dry, flaky, and may have accumulated a layer of dead skin due to lack of exposure to air and moisture while covered. Soaking the skin helps to hydrate it and makes it easier to gently exfoliate the dead skin cells, leading to a smoother and healthier skin surface as the skin adjusts to being exposed again.

Proper soaking allows for the removal of any debris while minimizing trauma to the skin. Following the soaking, it is important to gently pat the skin dry rather than scrubbing it aggressively, as aggressive cleaning can irritate or damage sensitive skin that has been in an immobile state.

Other methods, such as using heavy creams, might help hydrate the skin afterward, but they don't address the immediate need to remove dead skin following cast removal. Scrubbing could damage fragile skin, and applying ice would not effectively contribute to the resolution of skin issues post-cast. Therefore, soaking to remove dead skin is the best and most beneficial practice in this scenario.