Navigating Lymphedema: Top Lymphedema Precautions to Follow

Navigating lymphedema can feel like walking a tightrope, where every choice you make impacts your comfort and health. This article is here to guide you through essential lymphedema precautions, offering practical tips on how to avoid lymphedema complications and maintain your well-being. From everyday habits that help you manage swelling to simple adjustments that protect your skin and overall health, we’ll explore key strategies to make living with lymphedema more manageable. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your routine or seeking new ways to stay healthy, these insights will equip you with valuable knowledge for a better quality of life.

What Is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema Precautions to Follow
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Seek advice on air travel, exercise, and needle pricks
3. Maintain good skin hygiene
4. Avoid temperature extremes
5. Wear sunscreen
6. Wear non-restrictive clothing and jewelry
7. Use electric razors
8. Protect against insects
9. Avoid injuries
10. Consult your doctor
Following Lymphedema Precautions to Maintain Your Health

What Is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a condition where excess fluid collects in your body’s tissues, causing swelling, often in the arms or legs. This is a chronic, progressive condition that occurs when your lymphatic system, which helps fight infections and maintain fluid balance, is disrupted.

Common symptoms include a feeling of heaviness or tightness in the affected area, restricted range of motion, and discomfort. The skin may become hard or thickened, and you might notice swelling that comes and goes, often worsening over time.

Causes of lymphedema vary depending on the type. Primary lymphedema is the result of genetic factors affecting lymphatic development or may be congenital and present at birth, while secondary lymphedema is the result of damage to the lymphatic system. This damage can occur from cancer, surgeries, radiation therapy, infections, or injuries, among other causes.

Caring for lymphedema involves managing swelling and preventing complications. It’s important to work with healthcare providers to develop a personalized plan that suits your needs. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and with proper management, you can live comfortably with lymphedema.

Lymphedema Precautions to Follow

Taking an active role in managing your health is vital, especially when dealing with conditions like lymphedema. You can improve your quality of life by monitoring your symptoms and being proactive about your care. Understanding the impact of everyday activities and choices on your condition empowers you to make informed decisions that help control swelling and prevent complications. With these lymphedema precautions below¹, you can take charge of your health and maintain a more comfortable, fulfilling life.

1. Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity can significantly impact lymphedema. Excess weight adds pressure to your lymphatic system, making it harder for lymph fluid to circulate properly. This strain can lead to fluid buildup and swelling. If you already have lymphedema, carrying extra weight can worsen symptoms and increase discomfort.

Losing weight can help reduce this pressure, improve lymph flow, and alleviate symptoms. Small, consistent changes in diet and activity can make a big difference.

2. Seek advice on air travel, exercise, and needle pricks
Discuss recommendations regarding air travel, exercise, and needle pricks with your healthcare team. There are not any studies that show that air travel, exercise, or needle pricks exacerbate or cause lymphedema, but if possible, medical procedures requiring needle pricks should be done on the unaffected arm^2,3,4. Exercise can be beneficial for managing lymphedema, and it is recommended that progressive weight training be completed under supervision⁵. During air travel, your healthcare team may recommend you wear compression garments, and it is recommended to move around to stretch your legs when safe to do so.

3. Maintain good skin hygiene

Maintaining proper skin hygiene is another essential when living with lymphedema. Regularly moisturizing your skin helps prevent cracks where bacteria can enter and cause infections. It’s also important to avoid trimming your cuticles and to cut your nails straight across to prevent any accidental nicks. Keeping your nails short can help avoid scratches, which can be another entry point for bacteria.

4. Avoid temperature extremes
Heat can increase blood flow to the affected area, leading to more swelling and causing lymphedema symptoms to progress. When exposed to high temperatures, your blood vessels expand, causing fluid to accumulate. This can make managing lymphedema more challenging.

It’s important to be mindful of lymphedema risk factors and avoid hot baths or saunas that can also be susceptible to bacteria. Keeping cool helps you maintain comfort and reduces the strain on your lymphatic system. You’re taking positive steps by staying aware of how temperature affects your condition, ensuring you feel your best.

5. Wear sunscreen
Using sunscreen is another important precaution for patients with lymphedema. Sunburn can lead to blisters and skin damage, creating an entry point for infections. By applying sunscreen, you protect your skin from harmful UV rays and reduce the risk of burns.

Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, and reapply it every two hours when you’re outdoors. You don’t have to avoid a nice beach day during the summer, but remember that keeping your skin safe from sun damage helps you manage lymphedema more effectively.

6. Wear non-restrictive clothing and jewelry
Wearing loose, comfortable clothing and jewelry is another precaution for lymphedema. Tight clothing and restrictive jewelry can constrict the flow of fluid in your body, leading to increased swelling. A snug pair of pants or a tight bracelet might seem minor, but they can impede circulation and exacerbate swelling in affected areas. Instead, choose garments and accessories that allow for free movement and don’t press tightly against your skin.

7. Use electric razors
Using electric razors is especially important when shaving areas like your arms or legs to prevent cuts and nicks, which can lead to infections. Unlike traditional razors, electric razors minimize the risk of breaking the skin, significantly reducing the chances of injury. This is crucial for you, as any small cut or scrape can lead to an infection and complicate lymphedema management.

8. Protect against insects
Insect bites, like those from mosquitoes or bees, can exacerbate lymphedema by triggering swelling and inflammation at the site of the bite. When an insect bites you, your body’s immune response kicks in, causing the affected area to swell as it fights off the perceived threat. For someone with lymphedema, this localized inflammation can amplify the existing swelling as the lymphatic system struggles to manage the increased fluid.

Therefore, to minimize these effects, try to avoid insect bites and treat any stings or bites promptly with appropriate care. Keeping the area clean and using anti-inflammatory remedies can help manage the added swelling.

9. Avoid injuries
Avoid injuries to your affected area, such as cuts, scrapes, or bruises. Any damage to the skin or underlying tissues can trigger inflammation, which again exacerbates swelling. While a small cut might not seem significant, it can lead to increased swelling and discomfort if not treated properly.

By shaving with an electric razor, you safeguard your skin from these minor yet potentially problematic injuries, helping you maintain healthier, more comfortable skin. This simple switch can make a big difference in managing your condition and keeping your skin in good shape.

10. Consult your doctor
Finally, regularly checking in with your primary care doctor or lymphedema specialist is essential for maintaining your health and quality of life. Keeping these appointments ensures that you address any changes in your condition promptly, such as the development of pitting edema or other symptoms.

If you notice new swelling or changes in how fluid accumulates, your specialist can provide timely adjustments to your lymphedema treatment plan. Proactive management allows you to address issues before they escalate, helping you stay on top of your condition and maintain your well-being. Open communication with your healthcare team is key to effective lymphedema management.

Following Lymphedema Precautions to Maintain Your Health

As you navigate managing lymphedema, keeping these precautions in mind can make a big difference. Embracing habits like choosing loose clothing, using electric razors, and being gentle with your skin can prevent additional swelling and discomfort.

Additionally, pairing these everyday strategies with effective treatments, such as complete decongestive therapy and compression garments, will further enhance your results. The benefits of compression therapy, including reduced swelling and better fluid management, can truly transform your experience and help prevent the progression of symptoms.

For at-home support, Tactile Medical can help. The Flexitouch Plus or Nimbl systems provide great at-home relief using gentle, adjustable air pressure to stimulate lymphatic flow and reduce swelling. By staying proactive and informed about how to avoid lymphedema complications, you can take charge of your health and enjoy a more comfortable, fulfilling life.

References:

1. Cemal Y, Pusic A, Mehrara BJ. Preventative measures for lymphedema: separating fact from fiction. J Am Coll Surg. 2011 Oct;213(4):543-51. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652571/
2. Asdourian MS, Skolny MN, Brunelle C, et al. Precautions for breast cancer-related lymphoedema: risk from air travel, ipsilateral arm blood pressure measurements, skin puncture, extreme temperatures, and cellulitis. Lancet Oncol 2016;17:e392-405.
3. Ahn S, Port ER. Lymphedema precautions: Time to abandon old practices? J Clin Oncol 2016;34:655-658.
4. National Lymphedema Network. Position Paper: Lymphedema Risk Reduction Practices 2012: https://issuu.com/lymphnet/docs/risk_reduction.
5. Campbell KL, Winters-Stone KM, Wiskemann J, et al. Exercise guidelines for cancer survivors: Consensus statement from international multidisciplinary roundtable. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2019;51:2375-2390.