Swelling due to Lymphedema is not the same as vascular swelling. A "water pill" or diuretic will not decrease Lymphedema swelling and in fact may make it worse.
Not necessarily. Rest and elevation are important for individuals with Lymphedema but walking are equally if not more beneficial to help move lymph.
Individuals with lymphedema are prone to cellulitis. This is a condition that you must seek medical attention for. Cellulitis is usually accompanied by a fever and a general feeling of being unwell. If you notice the area is red, hot, and have a fever call your doctor immediately.
NO! Compression stockings are not intended to be worn at night while sleeping. Remove your stockings, moisturize your arms/legs and put the stockings on in the morning. If you lymphedema therapist recommends, wear a night garment.
There is a debate about whether individuals with Lymphedema should get pedicures. The reason that many providers and Lymphedema therapist advise against it is because of the risk of getting cut or an infection from the instruments or a tub not cleaned properly. Because Lymphedema delays wound healing, patients need to be extra cautious. If you are not able to reach your feet or not comfort with using pedicure tools, then a pedicure from a well-established salon with a solid reputation for cleaniness is OK.
A blood pressure, injection, or blood draw should never be done in an extremity with Lymphedema. Every time you encounter someone from the medical field, whether you are in the hospital, urgent care, or doctors office be sure they know that you have Lymphedema and to be care handling your extremity.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.