When you break an arm or a leg, usually the first thing on your mind isn't "How am I going to take a shower in this thing?" However, the problem becomes quite evident a few hours later. Read on to find easy solutions.


Steps
Utilize a Commercial Product

1. Ask your local drug store or look online to see what commercial products are available in stock to cover and protect your cast from water. Seal-Tight, XeroSox, and ShowerDri are a few brands.
2. Use the cast cover that is appropriate. Is it for your arm or your leg? Find the correct size. Does the cast cover have sizes to fit adults and children? It is probably best to use a product that does not contain latex -- some products, like the Xerosox or DryPro, contain latex and can cause allergies for some people.
3. If it is for the leg, look for a product that has good tread. Plastic can be slippery and dangerous in the shower. Rubber products with molded tread are safer.
4. Pull the product over your cast before showering. XeroSox uses a vacuum seal. Use included squeeze bulb to evacuate air and make the seal.
5. Remove the product after you dry. Re-use during your next shower.

Alternate Method

1. Cut 2 pieces of waterproof tape, each long enough to go around the broken limb above the cast.
2. Get 2 plastic bags, each long enough to cover the cast completely. Trim off handles if necessary.
3. Put the first bag over the afflicted limb and cast, pleating the bag top to fit closely.
4. Tape the bag in place with just a little of the duct tape actually on the skin.
5. Repeat with the second bag--this one is for insurance, because so many freebie bags have holes--and again keep most of the duct tape on the bag, with just enough on your skin to make a seal.
6. Shower and enjoy! Wash your hair!
7. Consider that the alternate method requires the use of two bags per bathshower per day for 40+ days. Bags are not reusable because they rip when you pull the tape off. A commercial product may actually be cheaper and is much more likely to work without leaks. Some of the commercial products are good enough to go swimming with.
8. NOTE: Taking a bath with the affected arm or leg hanging outside the tub is much safer than a shower if using trash bags. 'The Alternate Method' often results in leaks. Standing on plastic bags in the shower can be slippery and dangerous, also.

Tips

• Use the scissors very carefully when you cut the duct tape.
• Remove unwanted duct-tape glue from skin with cotton ball and rubbing alcohol (if this doesn't work, try baby oil).
• If you leave a folded tab at the end of the tape, you can just yank it off.
• If you don't like yanking tape off, try cutting off the bags at the end, then sliding the scissors under the tape from the bag side--easier than getting them under the tape from the skin side!