Skin Care: Avoid injuries to the skin that can lead to bacterial or fungal infection.
- Keep skin meticulously clean and moist using a gentle cleanser with a moisturizer every day.
- Keep nails and toenails cut short. Avoid manicures, pedicures, and artificial nails.
- Avoid heat in general but specifically to your involved limb. Avoid hot packs, moist heat, heating pads, hot air, fireplace heat, sun, dishwashing, hot tubs, and saunas.
- Avoid wounds or scratches. Wear gloves for indoor and outdoor work. Avoid insect bites and pet scratches. Use an electric razor to shave underarms and legs.
Exercise and activity: Exercise is an important part of staying healthy.
- If you experience discomfort in the involved limb, elevate the limb and reduce your activity.
- Avoid lifting more than 15 pounds with an affected upper extremity unless specific strengthening exercises have been initiated under the supervision of a qualified professional.
- Talk with your therapist about exercises and activities that have been shown to increase the likelihood of the onset of lymphedema in some people. Repetitive and/or vigorous movements of the involved extremity should be carefully monitored at work or leisure.
- Avoid prolonged sitting, or any activity that will restrict lymph flow especially behind the knee, in the groin, at the elbow, and in the underarm. Try to change position frequently during the day.
Extra precautions for the involved limb: Avoid external pressure, which may slow lymph flow.
- Avoid tight-fitting undergarments and clothing.
- Do not sleep on your involved side.
- Do not allow your blood pressure to be taken, blood to be drawn, or an injection to be given to the involved extremity.
- Before traveling by air, consult with a qualified professional about the use of a compression garment to assist in the prevention of potential swelling.
- Avoid deep massage to the affected limb.
Diet and nutrition: Good nutrition leads to good health.
- There is no special diet to prevent or control lymphedema, but it is in your best interest to practice excellent nutrition and to maintain a normal weight. Some research has shown that obesity increases the likelihood that a person will develop lymphedema. Obesity may also significantly decrease the effectiveness of treatment.
Problems with your involved limb: Watch for danger signs.
- Watch for signs of infection: heat, pain, redness, swelling, chills, fever. See your physician immediately if you have an infection. Also see your physician for rashes on the affected limb, wounds that are slow to heal, or pain in and involved extremity.
- Seek treatment for any signs or symptoms of lymphedema: numbness, tingling, tight feeling, stiffness, or swelling anywhere on the limb at risk. Report increases in size to your physician and get follow-up care.
From: Primer on Lymphedema by Deborah G. Kelley. Published by Prentice Hall.
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