The most challenging thing that anyone who wears a cast experiences is how to take a bath with a cast. If you have accidentally broken a bone or two, we know you understand that it is such a nuisance to keep the cast dry and clean.

Whether you have a fiberglass cast or not, the cotton lining under the plaster or fiberglass can still get wet causing skin irritation, severe itching, and eventually, skin breakdown. Who would want that?

With growing concerns on how to keep the cast dry and clean, many have attempted to be creative and use clear food wrappers and plastic bags to wrap the cast. Some decided to go through a much deeper path — not taking a bath. As funny as it seems, it is true for some because the consequences of getting the cast dirty or wet are undesirable.

DIY Solutions to Protect a Cast: Is it Safe?

Humans are really good when it comes to being creative and doing DIY techniques. For instance, some resort to using handy-dandy duct tapes for protecting cast from getting wet. While making a homemade cast protection solution may be of help temporarily, they could also cause harmful effects. How?

  • Duct tapes – These are too sticky. The adhesive of the duct tape may stick to the edge of the cast or the soft cloth underneath the fiberglass or plaster. This may cause cracks on the casting material. If the adhesive spreads after having contact with water when taking a bath, it may cause itching and weaken a cast.
  • Plastic bags – Plastic bags may be contaminated. Whether you used your plastic bags from buying groceries or other stuff, you are not sure if they are free from contaminants like chemicals and bacteria. The worst thing that can happen is for microorganisms to accumulate in your cast.
  • Clear food wraps – These cling wraps are pretty common in any household. It may be clean, but the material for clear food wraps are not intended for medical use. They can easily break and cause water to seep through the cast while taking a bath. This could get the cast wet and result in skin irritation.

Effects of Getting a Cast Wet

Some casts are waterproof at some point. However, if you do not know if you can get your cast wet or if you are wondering what will happen just in case it does, please continue reading. Here, we have listed some of the effects when you get your cast wet or dirty:

  • You will feel severe itching
  • It can lead to skin irritation
  • It can cause skin breakdown (sores, chafing)
  • An infection might develop
  • Delayed healing

These are just some of the most common adverse effects if a cast gets wet inside. So, to avoid experiencing serious injury to your skin and body part with a cast, you should know how to properly waterproof a cast.

How to Waterproof a Cast

We understand how tough it can be to keep your cast clean and dry. That is why we came up with a solution on how to keep liquid spills and dirt away from your cast. With this medical wrap, you can also shower with a cast on your arm, leg, or any body part.

Use a SealSkin Medical Wrap

SealSkin is a medical wrap that offers added protection to cast, splints, and other healing devices. It is developed to make healing faster and more comfortable. Many physicians and consumers recommend SealSkin for wound healing and other functions, such as wrapping a tattoo to avoid infections. Parents also use this medical wrap to protect a cast when their kids go in a shower or join pool parties. In some cases, it serves as an adjunct therapy device to assist physicians in managing plantar fasciitis.

It features a handy roller to keep the wrap free from contaminants. The medical wrap is a self-adhering, liquid-impermeable film that is durable and waterproof. Here is how you can use SealSkin to avoid getting a cast wet.

Cast Care and SealSkin Medical Wrap

SealSkin Medical Wrap provides protection for any type of cast. If you are looking for a perfect way on how to keep a cast dry in the shower or while taking a bath, SealSkin is a good solution. Some SealSkin users even use this medical wrap to take a dip in the pool! However, we do recommend to seek advice from your physician before plunging into a swimming pool with your cast because the healing process is different from one person to another. It is wise to assess your condition including all factors that may affect your injury to heal faster.