Effective management of lymphoedema is about helping your lymphatic system to do its job, so you can maintain your limb shape, skin integrity, functionality, energy levels and stay on top of pain. Here are our tips for managing lymphoedema.
Wear Compression Garments that Fit Correctly
Correctly fitting compression garments will relieve pain, prevent fluid re-fill, soften fibrosis and protect against moisture loss and skin damage. Remember that swelling which has contorted normal limb shape is best treated with combined decongestive therapy before measuring for a maintenance garment. Ensure that your compression garments are made from the right fabric and compression class for your stage of lymphoedema, so that you get the right kind of support. Talk to your lymphoedema therapist or prescribing doctor about which specifications are right for you.
Take Care of Your Compression Garments
Compression garments perform best when they are washed frequently with a mild detergent and replaced every six months. Washing restores the wall stability of your garment, ensuring good support. However, all garments need to be replaced around the six-month mark, as the elastic in the textile does perish over time.
It’s best to have two compression garments for each affected area. This way you can be wearing one garment whilst the other is being washed and dried. With custom compression garments, it's wise to order only one initially, so you can check that you're happy with it before ordering a second.
Look After Your Skin
Care for your skin by keeping it clean, moisturised and crack-free. In fact, any form of skin breakage is a no-no with lymphoedema. Wear sunscreen to avoid sunburn and dodge insect bites with repellent if you can. Having an injection? Request that this be done on an area which isn't affected by lymphoedema.
Follow instructions given by your doctor / nurse / podiatrist / dermatologist regarding skin care. If you develop a skin infection or sore, see your doctor as soon as possible. When your lymphatic system is compromised, it can affect your immune response. Commonly anti-biotics are prescribed in order to stop infection from spreading through the body, which could potentially cause serious illness and even death if left unchecked.
Avoid Using the Wrong Skin Creams with Your Garments
When wearing moisturiser underneath your compression garments, avoid products which contain palm oil or eucalyptus oil. These oils will break down the elastic in the fabric, which will shorten the life span of a garment and make it less effective. If you have a favourite cream containing either of these oils, then make a point of only using it at night, under a protective liner or when you're not wearing a compression garment.
Get Regular Lymphatic Drainage
Having manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) with a properly trained lymphoedema therapist (such as a Vodder therapist) will give your lymphatic system a boost and help to pump away excess fluids. MLD actually increases your lymphatic pump rate and helps fluid uptake by opening collector vessels. Additionally, blood flow is improved as the nervous system relaxes, releasing tiny muscles which might otherwise constrict vessels, due to stress. If you are experiencing an acute inflammation or infection, avoid having lymphatic drainage until the infection is resolved. As MLD does have its contraindications, it's important to confirm with your doctor whether MLD is suitable for you.
Regular Gentle Exercise Deep Breathing are Your Friend
Gentle exercise, such as hydrotherapy and walking in your compression garment are great for lymphoedema. Intensive exercise is not recommended, as this can add to lymphatic load. A combination of deep breathing and foot peddling exercises will help to pump your lymphatics. Your lymphoedema therapist should be able to show you how to do this.
Maintain a Healthy Eating Approach
Inflammation is linked with extra fluid production. Therefore, anti-inflammatory diets are known to help conditions such as lymphoedema. One example of a good diet to follow is the RAD diet.
Get Your Support Systems in Place
As lymphoedema is a life-long condition, it's important to get regular medical checks and to see your lymphoedema nurse / physio / OT / therapist as regularly as you can. Once you've been diagnosed with lymphoedema, it's best to have baseline measurements taken of any affected areas. This helps to monitor your progress going forward and keeps things measureable.
Social media now provides many online forums for people who are experiencing lymphoedema. Joining lymphoedema support groups on Facebook for example will give you an instant support community and a platform for discussion.