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Cast covers for swimming: covers, waterproof casts and what clinics allow
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- Sealed cast cover sold for swimming. Best for: Brief splashing in a pool, only with your doctor's agreement. See options on Amazon
- Child-size swim cast cover. Best for: Children who will be near a pool with a standard cast. See options on Amazon
- Travel hair dryer with a cool setting. Best for: Drying a waterproof cast after the pool, if your clinic allows it. See options on Amazon
Cover versus waterproof cast: two different things
| Standard cast plus a cover | Waterproof cast (special liner) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Ordinary padding under the cast; a sealed sleeve goes over the top | Water-resistant padding inside the cast itself |
| Who decides | You buy the cover | Your doctor, before the cast is applied |
| Pool swimming | Not advised by OrthoInfo or Michigan Medicine | Usually allowed, per UPMC Children's and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network |
| If water gets in | Padding stays wet against the skin; call the clinic | Designed to drain and dry |
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh says not every break is suitable for a waterproof cast and that the doctor decides. It is worth asking at the first appointment, before the cast is applied.
Why a cover is risky for swimming
Swimming means full immersion and movement for many minutes, which is the hardest test for a seal. OrthoInfo warns that even a small pinhole in a cast cover can let water reach the injury. Wet padding can irritate the skin, and Michigan Medicine says a cast that becomes extremely wet will need to be changed.
Some covers are sold specifically for swimming. None of the clinic sources on this page says a cover makes swimming in a standard cast safe. If your doctor agrees to one, keep sessions short, stay where you can stand, and check the cast afterwards.
If you have a waterproof cast
- Pools yes, open water no. UPMC Children's says to avoid oceans, lakes and rivers, because kelp, sand or dirt can get trapped in the cast. Sydney Children's Hospitals Network gives the same advice for beaches and lakes.
- Rinse after the pool. Sydney Children's says to rinse pool water off under running water.
- Let it dry fully. UPMC Children's suggests getting it fully wet only every other day and making sure it is dry by bedtime. Sydney Children's suggests wetting it every 1 to 2 days.
- Drying methods differ. Michigan Medicine and UPMC suggest a hair dryer on a cool setting. Sydney Children's advises against fans and hair dryers and says to let it drain and air dry on a towel. Follow your own clinic's method.
Ways to enjoy the pool with a standard cast
- Sit on the pool edge with the covered cast resting out of the water.
- Choose a shallow area where the cast can stay above the surface, with someone nearby.
- Plan swimming lessons and holidays around the cast-off date where you can.
For bathing at home, see our arm cast cover and leg cast cover pages.
Signs something is wrong after water exposure
Sydney Children's lists a bad smell, yellow or green fluid, fever, or a loose, cracked or soft cast as reasons to seek help. UPMC Children's adds red, broken or swollen skin around the cast and severe itching that does not stop.
What to look for when you buy
Sealed cast cover sold for swimming
Best for: Brief splashing in a pool, only with your doctor's agreement
These covers are sold for pool use. If your doctor agrees to one, keep to short, gentle sessions where the cast stays mostly above water.
Watch out: OrthoInfo advises against submerging a cast and warns a pinhole can let water in; check the cast after every use.
See options on AmazonChild-size swim cast cover
Best for: Children who will be near a pool with a standard cast
A cover sized for a small limb seals better than an adult one, which matters around water play.
Watch out: Supervise closely and keep the cast above the surface; a leak means calling the clinic.
See options on AmazonTravel hair dryer with a cool setting
Best for: Drying a waterproof cast after the pool, if your clinic allows it
Michigan Medicine and UPMC Children's suggest cool air to dry the lining of a waterproof cast.
Watch out: Sydney Children's advises against hair dryers because they can damage the cast and cause burns; use only the method your clinic gives.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Can you swim with a cast cover?
- Most clinics advise against it. OrthoInfo says not to submerge a cast in a pool, and Michigan Medicine says covers can leak and only protect against splashes.
- Can I swim in the sea with a waterproof cast?
- UPMC Children's and Sydney Children's both advise avoiding oceans, lakes and beaches, because sand and dirt can get trapped inside.
- How do I get a waterproof cast?
- Ask your doctor before the cast is applied. UPMC Children's says not every break is suitable and the doctor decides.
- Is a waterproof cast the same as a cast cover?
- No. A waterproof cast has water-resistant padding built in and is chosen by your doctor. A cover is a separate sleeve pulled over an ordinary cast, and it can leak.
- Can I use soap on a waterproof cast?
- Sydney Children's says soap, body wash and shampoo can be used, as long as the cast is rinsed with clean water afterwards. Check your own clinic's advice.
- What if water gets into my cast while swimming?
- Contact your clinic. Michigan Medicine says a very wet standard cast will need to be changed.
Sources
- Care of Casts and Splints (orthoinfo.org), AAOS OrthoInfo
- Cast care instructions: do's and don'ts (med.umich.edu), Michigan Medicine
- Waterproof cast care (chp.edu), UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Cast care: waterproof factsheet (schn.health.nsw.gov.au), Sydney Children's Hospitals Network