What type of injury does cast padding protect the skin from?

Cast padding is designed primarily to provide a layer of protection against thermal injuries. When a cast is applied, it can become hot during the hardening process, and the padding serves to insulate the skin from this heat. By preventing direct contact between the cast material and the skin, it minimizes the risk of burns associated with the heat generated during the curing phase of certain casting materials.

In addition to thermal protection, cast padding also serves some cushioning purposes which can help mitigate minor impacts; however, its primary focus is on thermal injury prevention. The other types of injuries listed, such as cuts, abrasions, chemical, and electrical injuries, are not specifically addressed by cast padding. While padding may provide some cushioning against minor cuts or abrasions that might occur accidentally, its primary function remains in the realm of thermal protection during and after cast application.