This article is general information, not medical advice. Always ask your nurse or care team before showering with an IV in place.
Short answer: To keep an IV site dry, cover it with a waterproof cover that seals above and below the dressing, keep it out of the direct spray, and check the dressing when you finish. Ask your nurse first, because some lines and dressings should not get wet at all.
IV or PICC: why location matters
A standard IV is a short tube placed in a vein, often in the hand or forearm. A PICC line is a longer line, usually placed in the upper arm and left in for weeks. The right cover depends on where your line sits:
- Upper arm or forearm: an open-ended waterproof sleeve can seal above and below the site.
- Hand or wrist: you need a closed-end cover that goes over the hand, because an open-ended sleeve leaves the hand exposed.
Ways to cover an IV in the shower
- Reusable waterproof sleeve: seals at both ends and can be rinsed and reused. Best for daily showers over days or weeks.
- Disposable plastic cover: convenient for a one-off shower, but you need a new one each time.
- Plastic bag and tape: a stopgap. It often leaks at the edges, and tape can pull on skin near the site.
How to shower with an IV site covered
- Check with your nurse that showering is OK for your line and dressing.
- Put the cover on with a dry arm, before you turn on the water.
- Make sure the seals sit flat against your skin, with no folds where water could get in.
- Keep your arm out of the direct stream. A handheld shower head makes this easier.
- Dry the outside of the cover before removing it, then check the dressing. If it is damp, call your care team.
Choosing the right size
For an arm sleeve, measure around the widest part of your upper arm and around your forearm. The sleeve should cover the whole dressing with room at each end. Our sleeve comes in S/M (bicep 8.5 to 12 in), L/XL (11.5 to 16 in) and XXL (16 to 21.5 in, and 3 inches longer).
Frequently asked questions
Can I shower with an IV at home?
Many people receiving home infusions do, with protection. Your home infusion nurse will tell you what is safe for your line.
Can I use a PICC line cover over an IV?
Often, if the IV is on the upper arm or forearm and the cover seals beyond the dressing. Read our PICC line cover buying guide.
What if the dressing gets wet?
Contact your care team. A wet dressing may need to be changed to protect the site.
Our waterproof IV and PICC cover
Our reusable IV and PICC line shower cover is a latex-free TPU sleeve with a neoprene seal ring for IV sites, PICC lines, casts and dressings on the arm.