‘The support I was given by the LSN was 100%. The staff went out of their way to supply me with information.’ LSN Member 2016

In the areas of your body that are swollen, the skin can become overstretched and fragile, conversely, it may also seem thicker and tougher than the rest of your skin. Your lymphoedema also means that the affected area is more prone to a particular skin infection called cellulitis. You can find more information about cellulitis here. It is really important to try and prevent this happening and one way of doing this is to improve the condition of your skin. There is more information in the LSN’s ‘Skin Care for People with Lymphoedema’ fact sheet, which is free to members. The LSN suggests the following daily skin regime:

• Wash your skin carefully at least once a day. Dry the skin gently, paying particular attention to any skin folds and between the fingers/toes. Use a soap substitute, such as aqueous cream, emulsifying ointment, E45 wash.

• Look for signs of redness, or injury (scratches, bites, etc.)
• Treat fungal infections such as athlete’s foot quickly if you have lower limb swelling.
• If skin damage is found, ensure area is clean, apply an antiseptic and check regularly for signs of infection.
• If you think you may have an infection, then contact your doctor as soon as possible.

On rare occasions, lymph fluid leaking through the skin is observed. This is called Lymphorrhoea and can happen if the limb or affected area swells very quickly, if the skin is fragile and thin or if there are breaks in the skin. This leakage can vary in severity, but can lead to infection, so prompt attention is necessary – ideally by a lymphoedema practitioner. If you do not have access to a lymphoedema clinic then see your practice nurse for advice.

• Moisturise your skin each day.
• If your skin looks and feels ‘normal’, any bland moisturiser will be suitable, but if your skin is visibly dry and/or scaly a soap substitute followed by a suitable moisturiser/emollient should be used – suitable examples include epiderm, coconut oil BP, aveeno cream, diprobase, double base, lipobase, Hydromol cream.

There is more information in the LSN’s ‘Skin Care for People with Lymphoedema’ fact sheet, which is free to members.

‘The LSN fact sheets were extremely useful when I was first diagnosed – well written and informative.’ LSN Member 2016

Regular exercise and keeping moving helps to control swelling, keeps joints flexible, improves posture, balance and gait and helps to control your weight. It can also induce a sense of wellbeing.

The sort of exercise or movement that you can do will depend on your age, general fitness, mobility, and other medical conditions. Talk to your doctor or practice nurse about what would be safe for you. To have the best result on your swelling, movements have a better pumping effect when they are done slowly and smoothly. Deep breathing also stimulates and improves fluid flow through the veins and lymph vessels. ANY movement will help even if you are only able to start with a little.

• Only carry out exercises/movements that are within your level of endurance – it is always better to start slowly and build up.
• No movement or exercise should cause pain.
• If you are being treated for cellulitis/infection do not exercise until you feel better.
• If you notice your swelling increases after an activity you may be overdoing it – try doing a little less for a while and then gradually build up activity.

There is more information in the LSN’s fact sheet ‘Recreational Exercise and Movement with Lymphoedema’, which is free to members.

Studies have shown that one of the most effective ways to reduce swelling is to maintain a normal healthy weight. If you are overweight talk to your doctor or practice nurse about the best ways for you to address this and discuss the support they can give to help you. If your weight is within normal limits then try and maintain this and make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

There is more information in the LSN’s fact sheet ‘Maintaining a Healthy Weight’, which is free to members.

Once your lymphoedema has been assessed you may well be prescribed some sort of compression garment to reduce and contain the swelling. Please do not be tempted to buy your own compression – an appropriately trained therapist first needs to assess/measure you to discuss the best style, type and strength of the compression garment required.

There is more information in the LSN’s fact sheet ‘The use of Compression Garments in Lymphoedema’, which is free to members.

‘The LSN has been invaluable help to me. Following my diagnosis I had very little information to go on. On joining the LSN I requested the relevant fact sheets and saw the light at the end of the tunnel.’ LSN Member 2016