Waterproof Cast Covers: Arm & Leg Cast Covers for Showering

Since casts are often highly susceptible to being damaged when wet, wearing a cast cover for showering is quite important. It allows you to shower, swim and bathe in a way that is both safe and smart.

The best cast covers for showers are easy to apply, tear resistant, and relatively cheap. They are most likely to provide an impenetrable waterproof barrier that keeps burns, casts, prosthetics or post-surgical incisions dry while you’re in the water. Our cast protectors, including the popular Seal-Tight brand, are durable, relatively thick, and are easy to pull on and off.

Types of Waterproof Cast Covers

There are two main types of waterproof cast protectors; waterproof arm cast covers and waterproof leg cast covers.

An arm cast cover for showers, also known as a cast sleeve, is an indispensable necessity for anyone who has a cast or dressing on his hand that must be kept dry. Leg cast covers are utilized to ensure that wounds, casts or dressings on the foot remain dry.

Children who need to wear a cast can choose from our pediatric cast cover choices, which will provide them with a better fit. You can also get a waterproof wound cover if you have a dressing or wound you need to keep dry.

Using a Waterproof Cast Cover

Waterproof Cast Cover Uses

While the most obvious reason to use a cast cover for swimming or showering is to keep an arm or leg cast dry, there are also other reasons for using a cast cover, even when one does not have a cast. Here are several common conditions that can necessitate the use of a cast cover for protection:

• Bandages
• Stitches
• Prosthetics
• Wounds
• Fractures
• Skin Abrasions
• Poison Ivy
• Burns

Waterproof Cast Cover FAQs

1. Can I Make a Waterproof Cast Cover?

When you’re in a bind, there are definitely ways of creating your own cast cover using common household items. However, we do not recommend this as a preferred approach, especially if you are simply looking to save money. Purchased cast covers that keep the injured area dry during showering or bathing are something to be appreciated, since making a DIY waterproof cast cover, although doable, can be quite a complicated task and one that is not necessarily worth your while for the following reasons:

• Effort Required: Creating your own cast cover can entail up to a half-hour’s worth of preparation that often involves dealing with duct tape, scissors, adhesive straps and plastic bags, not to mention towels or saran wrap. And no matter how long you’d spend creating this homemade cast protector, it can seldom be used more than once.
• Usability: Besides the effort involved in the creation of a homemade cast cover, it is important to consider ease of use - or rather, the lack thereof. When using a regular cast protector, donning and doffing the protective bag is generally quick and easy and is often possible to do without outside assistance. Conversely, homemade waterproof cast covers are harder to put on and take off and can’t always be done independently.
• Price Effectiveness: If you are considering a homemade arm or leg cast covers to avoid the price of a ready-made alternative, it’s important to note that, in the long run, you will be losing valuable time and even money (since homemade covers are one-time use only). Because manufactured cast covers are generally the most reliable and efficient, with better quality and design, the relatively small price of a single cast cover goes a long way to promoting your health and making your life - or that of your loved one - that much simpler.

2. What Happens if I Get My Cast Wet?

When a non-waterproof cast gets wet, two things may happen:

1. It can damage your cast. Casts are easily damaged by exposure to water, leaving them disfigured and/or less rigid. Repairing or replacing the cast can be time-consuming and costly, and is definitely worth avoiding. Using a waterproof cast cover is an easy and affordable way to prevent cast damage.
2. It can damage your skin. A wet cast can make the skin under the cast more susceptible to rashes and infection. By keeping your cast dry, you are helping to keep your skin clean, dry and healthy.

3. Can You Get a Waterproof Cast?

Some casts are designed to be waterproof, and, at first glance, this seems to be a great way to avoid the necessity of using a cast cover each time you swim or bathe. Unfortunately, waterproof casts are not a perfect solution for several reasons:

1. Time: Waterproof casts don’t save time. When using a cast bag, all you need to do is slip it on and off (and depending on the model you may have to secure it in place) and you’re good to go. If you have a waterproof cast and don’t plan to cover it, on the other hand, you’ll need to care for your cast after your shower by flushing it with soap and water, then rinsing thoroughly with a forceful flow of water.
2. Comfort: These casts may be waterproof, but they do take a few hours to dry completely and tend to feel similar to wearing a wet sock meanwhile.
3. Price: With advanced technology and expensive materials, waterproof casts can be pricey - and insurance usually won’t cover the difference in price.
4. Skin Health: Although waterproof casts themselves will not be ruined by exposure to water, your skin is just as susceptible to rashes, infections, and discomfort if water gets trapped between the lining and your skin. In other words, waterproof casts protect themselves, not you, from water.

If you do choose to use a waterproof cast, you should definitely consider using a waterproof cast cover to help avoid potential issues.

Note: While cast/bandage covers produced by Seal-Tight and other brands may offer a guarantee to keep your cast, bandage or wound totally dry, not all of these products are designed to be entirely submerged underwater. See individual product details to ensure that the product you choose will give you the protection you need.