Self Care for Lymphedema
The general theme is to avoid any kind of injury, even very small, to the affected arm, leg or area of the body that has lost lymph nodes.
Typically if you have trauma to your body, our immune system, including our lymph nodes help to fight infections and start the healing process.
If you have had lymph nodes surgically removed and/or had radiation to it, the lymph system has been compromised, and the surrounding area is vulnerable. The lymph system of this area can get overwhelmed more easily because the lymph nodes are not there to help move and drain the lymph vessels properly.
Less drainage from the nodes, more protein rich fluid accumulates and lymphedema develops.
Prevention:
Meticulous care of the skin is necessary, including regular application of lotion to avoid cracks in the skin (especially during winter months)
No blood pressure cuff readings or needle sticks to the involved arm or leg.
If its helpful to wear a medical alert bracelet on the effected limb to remind yourself, or to alert any provider during BP readings or blood draws etc. then please wear one
Wear gloves while gardening or doing dishes for a long time to avoid small cuts or abrasions.
Wear a 20-30mmHg arm or leg sleeve from compressionguru.com 1 hour prior to flying, during the flight, then 1 hour after you land. If you are going into altitude (4,000fit or higher) for longer durations then closely monitor your arm or leg to see if you feel any heaviness. If so, put the sleeve on and keep it on for the rest of the trip.
Signs of infection:
Sudden onset of red patches on the effected area, fever, chills, warm to touch, feeling lethargic can all be signs of cellulitis or a staph infection.
This is an immediate trip to urgent care and you need to start antibiotics asap. If you have had cellulitis in the past, it is highly recommended to have antibiotics on hand so you can take it asap If you see these signs. Once you get cellulitis, there is a larger likelihood of you getting it again.
