How to Cover Cast for Shower | Seal It Right

A non-waterproof cast needs a sealed cover before any shower; waterproof casts can get wet directly if you follow the rinse-and-drain steps.

Breaking an arm or leg is inconvenient enough without the misery of a damp, smelly cast. The key question for how to cover a cast for shower comes down to one thing: whether your clinician gave you a waterproof cast or a standard one. Getting this wrong means a trip back to the orthopedist for a replacement, so here’s what works.

Check Your Cast Type First

Not all casts are the same, and the rules for showering depend on which one you have. Waterproof casts use special padding that drains and dries quickly, which is why some systems are designed to be showered with directly. Standard plaster or fiberglass casts use regular padding that soaks up water like a sponge and stays wet against your skin.

If you’re not sure which type you have, ask. Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s cast care guidance is blunt about the risk: a wet cast softens, and a soft cast can’t hold your bone in place while it heals.

Showering With a Non-Waterproof Cast

For a standard cast, the goal is simple: keep every drop of water away from the cast material and the padding underneath it. A waterproof cast cover is the most reliable option, though a plastic bag sealed properly can work in a pinch.

The steps that work, per orthopedic guidance:

• Slide a plastic bag or waterproof cast protector over the cast.
• Gather the open end snugly against your skin above the cast.
• Tape it in place with medical tape — not rubber bands, which pinch and slip.
• Fold the bag down over the tape for a second layer of protection.
• Shower without pointing the spray directly at the seal.
• Remove the cover immediately afterward and check the cast for dampness.

One pediatric hospital’s handout adds a crucial detail: tape the bag snugly above the cast, fold the bag down over the tape, and take it off as soon as the shower ends. That last part matters because condensation builds up inside a sealed bag quickly.

If you’re considering a purpose-made cover, a roundup of the best cast covers for showering lays out tested options for arms and legs.

Waterproof Cast Care and Common Mistakes

Waterproof casts change the routine entirely. Northwestern Medicine’s waterproof cast care sheet says you can shower normally, but you need to rinse the inside with clean water before getting out, hold the limb upright so water can drain, and pat the outside with a towel. If drying is needed, use cool air only — never a hairdryer on warm or hot.

Most problems come from fixable errors. Using rubber bands instead of tape lets the cover slip. Aiming the showerhead straight at the seal forces water past even a good barrier. And some people skip protection entirely for a “quick rinse,” which is all it takes to soak the padding. Here’s what else to avoid:

• Heat: warm air from a dryer bakes moisture into the padding and can burn skin underneath.
• Submersion: baths, pools, and direct streams are off-limits unless your clinician clears it.
• Ignoring signs: a musty smell, soft spots in the cast, or skin that looks whitened and wrinkled mean the padding is wet.

If the cast stays wet or the skin underneath becomes irritated or painful, stop getting it wet and call your doctor — a saturated cast may need to be replaced.

FAQs

Can I use a regular trash bag instead of a cast cover?

If you shower often while in a cast, a purpose-made cover is worth the cost because it won’t leak at the seal the way a bag can.

What happens if my cast gets wet anyway?

Moisture trapped against your skin can cause maceration—skin that becomes softened, whitened, and wrinkled—which raises the risk of infection. A wet cast also loses structural strength and may not hold your bone properly. If the padding feels damp or smells musty, contact your clinician; replacement is often the safest option.

Is it safe to swim with a waterproof cast?

No. Waterproof casts are designed for showering, not for submersion in pools, lakes, or bathtubs. Chlorine, salt water, and standing water can damage the materials and get trapped inside. Even with a waterproof cast, keep it out of any body of water unless your orthopedic clinician gives you explicit clearance.