Should I take bandage off in the shower? A guide to safe wound care

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 200 million people use adhesive bandages in the U.S. each year, but many are unsure how to manage wound care while showering. So, should I take bandage off in the shower to clean it, or is that a recipe for infection? The correct approach depends on the wound type and dressing, not just convenience.

Quick Summary

The best practice for managing a bandage during a shower depends on the wound's severity and type of dressing. For a minor cut with a standard bandage, you can remove it to gently wash the area before applying a fresh one. However, serious wounds, post-surgical sites, or those with stitches require more caution, often necessitating a waterproof cover to keep them completely dry.

Key Points

Standard Bandages: Always remove a non-waterproof bandage before showering to prevent it from getting wet and trapping bacteria.
Cleaning Minor Wounds: Use the shower time to gently wash minor cuts with mild soap and pat the area dry with a clean towel afterward.
Serious Wounds: Use a specialized waterproof cover or follow your doctor's specific instructions to keep surgical incisions or stitches completely dry.
Infection Prevention: Never leave a waterlogged or wet bandage on a wound, as it creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
When in Doubt: If you have a serious wound, consult your doctor for personalized advice on showering safely.

The Risks of a Wet Bandage

Getting a standard adhesive bandage wet in the shower is a common mistake that can seriously impede the healing process. A wet bandage is not just inconvenient; it can create a breeding ground for bacteria and cause other issues that prolong recovery and increase the risk of infection.

Bacterial Growth and Infection

When a porous bandage gets saturated with water, it traps moisture against the skin. This warm, moist environment is ideal for bacterial proliferation. The bacteria from your skin, the shower floor, or even the water itself can migrate to the wound. Leaving this soggy, contaminated dressing on for an extended period creates a significant risk of infection, which can lead to complications, increased pain, and a more severe wound.

Maceration and Slowed Healing

Prolonged exposure to moisture can also cause the skin around the wound to become soft, wrinkled, and white—a condition known as maceration. Macerated skin is weaker, more fragile, and more susceptible to further damage. This can slow down the healing process significantly and lead to the wound's edges breaking down. Proper healing requires a balanced, moist environment, not a waterlogged one.

Damage to New Skin

If the bandage's adhesive fails due to water saturation, it can peel off and expose the wound prematurely. Conversely, if a waterlogged bandage sticks firmly to the wound bed, removing it can rip off newly formed, delicate tissue. This is incredibly painful and essentially restarts the healing process, increasing the likelihood of scarring.

The Proper Protocol for Showering with a Wound

Your showering strategy must be adapted to the type of wound you have. Here’s a breakdown of the best practices.

For Minor Cuts and Scrapes

For a small cut that is not bleeding, the process is straightforward:

Remove the bandage: Before you step into the shower, take off the old, standard bandage.
Wash Gently: While in the shower, use mild soap and warm (not hot) water to gently wash the wound. Avoid scrubbing the area directly.
Rinse Thoroughly: Make sure to rinse off all soap residue completely.
Pat Dry: After your shower, pat the wound and surrounding skin dry with a clean, dry towel. Do not rub.
Apply a New Bandage: Put on a fresh, clean bandage to protect the wound for the rest of the day.

For Stitches, Surgical Incisions, and Deeper Wounds

These types of wounds require a more cautious approach to prevent serious infection. Unless your doctor has specifically said it is okay to get them wet, assume you need to keep them completely dry.

Use a Waterproof Barrier: The most reliable method is to use a specially designed waterproof wound cover or shower shield. These are larger than a standard bandage and create a secure, watertight seal around the dressing.
Consider Alternative Methods: If a waterproof barrier isn't available, you can create a temporary one with a plastic bag and waterproof medical tape. Ensure the seal is completely secure on all sides.
Take Quick Showers: Minimize the time the wound is exposed to steam and humidity. Avoid prolonged baths or soaking the wound completely.
Check for Leaks: Immediately after your shower, inspect the waterproof cover for any leaks. If water has seeped in, remove the cover, pat the area dry, and apply a new, clean dressing as instructed by your doctor.

Comparison of Bandage Showering Methods


Feature	Method 1: Remove and Replace	Method 2: Waterproof Cover	Method 3: Sponge Bath
Best For	Minor cuts, scrapes, blisters	Stitches, surgical incisions, deeper wounds	Large, difficult-to-cover wounds; elderly; immobile patients
Protection	Temporary exposure to water for cleaning	Full protection from water, dirt, and germs	No water contact with wound
Procedure	Remove old bandage, wash wound in shower, apply new bandage after.	Apply waterproof shield before showering, remove and check after.	Use a cloth to wash around the wound without getting it wet.
Considerations	Only suitable for minor, non-bleeding wounds. Requires a new bandage.	Requires specific waterproof products. Check for leaks.	Can be awkward for some body parts. Less thorough than a full shower.
Risk of Infection	Low, if done correctly with a clean, new bandage.	Low, if the waterproof seal is intact.	Very low, as the wound stays completely dry.

Expert Recommendations and Conclusion

Ultimately, the question of "should I take bandage off in the shower" has a nuanced answer that prioritizes hygiene and safety. For simple, minor wounds, removing a non-waterproof bandage to clean the area is often the best course of action. It allows you to wash the wound properly and replace it with a fresh, dry dressing. However, for more serious or post-surgical wounds, keeping the dressing and wound dry with a reliable waterproof barrier is the safest approach.

No matter the method, the most critical step is ensuring the wound remains clean and dry after your shower. Leaving a wet or dirty dressing on is a primary cause of infection and should be avoided at all costs. Always follow the specific instructions of your healthcare provider, especially regarding stitches or deep incisions.

For more detailed guidance on proper wound healing and care instructions, you can consult resources like the health library at NewYork-Presbyterian. Remember that while a shower can be refreshing, it should never compromise the health of your healing wound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, no. A standard bandage is not designed to get wet and should be replaced if it does. If you have a waterproof bandage specifically designed for showering or swimming, it can get wet, but you should still check the seal afterward.

If a regular bandage gets wet, it can trap moisture against the skin, creating a damp environment where bacteria can grow. This increases the risk of infection and can also lead to skin maceration, which slows healing. The bandage should be replaced immediately with a fresh, dry one.

While the shower is not the best place to remove a dry bandage, you can take it off just before getting in to clean the wound. Alternatively, if a bandage is stuck, the warm water and steam in the shower can help to loosen the adhesive, making removal easier and less painful.

A plastic bag with waterproof tape can serve as a temporary barrier, but it is not as reliable as a dedicated waterproof shower shield. The seal can easily break, and trapped condensation can still moisten the wound. Use a medical-grade waterproof cover for the best protection.

Waterproof bandages, or shower shields, are typically made of a thin, flexible, plastic-like film with a strong adhesive that forms a seal around the wound dressing. They repel water while still allowing the skin underneath to breathe, protecting the wound from contamination during bathing.

You should avoid showering or immersing the wound in water during the first 24-48 hours after an injury or surgery, unless otherwise instructed by a doctor. Soaking the wound in a bath, hot tub, or pool should be avoided until the wound is completely healed to prevent infection.

Watch for increasing pain, spreading redness, swelling, warmth around the wound, pus or cloudy drainage, or a fever. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately.