Your lymphatic system is not only important for draining fluid away from tissues, but is also important for ‘policing’ or ‘patrolling’ for infection. This is why lymph glands become tender or enlarged in response to infection e.g. lymph glands in the neck can enlarge with a sore throat. When your lymphatic system is damaged or not working effectively then it leaves you at higher risk of infections in that area of your body. The most common infection in lymphoedema is cellulitis, a sudden, non-contagious infection of the skin, characterised by redness, swelling and heat accompanied by pain and tenderness.
The treatment for cellulitis when one has lymphoedema varies from the treatment for those who develop the condition who do not have lymphoedema. The link below will take you to the Guidelines on the Management of Cellulitis in Lymphoedema. This document has been written and reviewed by a group of highly experienced lymphoedema specialists and makes recommendations about the use of antibiotics for cellulitis in patients with lymphoedema, and advises when admission to hospital is indicated.
