Skin Care－Avoid trauma/injury to reduce infection risk

•    Keep extremity clean and dry

•    Apply moisturizer daily to prevent chapping/chafing of skin

•    Attention to nail care; do not cut cuticles

•    Protect exposed skin with sunscreen and insect repellent

•    Use care with razors to avoid nicks and skin irritation

•    If possible, avoid punctures such as injections and blood draws

•    Wear gloves while doing activities that may cause skin injury (e.g. washing dishes, gardening, working with tools, using chemicals such as detergent)

•    If scratches/punctures to skin occur, wash with soap and water, apply antibiotics, and observe for signs of infection (i.e. redness)

•    If a rash, itching, redness, pain, increased skin temperature, increased swelling, fever or flu-like symptoms occur, contact your physician immediately for early treatment of possible infection

Activity/Lifestyle

•    Gradually build up the duration and intensity of any activity or exercise

•    Take frequent rest periods during activity to allow for limb recovery

•    Monitor the extremity during and after activity for any change in size, shape, tissue, texture, soreness, heaviness or firmness

•    Maintain optimal weight. Obesity is known to be a major lymphedema risk factor

Avoid Limb Constriction

•    If possible, avoid having blood pressure taken on the at-risk extremity, especially repetitive pumping

•    Wear non-constrictive jewelry and clothing

•    Avoid carrying a heavy bag or purse over the at risk or lymph edematous extremity

Compression Garments 

•    Should be well-fitting

•    Support the at-risk limb with a compression garment for strenuous activity (i.e. weight, lifting, prolonged standing, and running) except in patients with open wounds or with poor circulation in the at-risk limb

•    Patients with lymphedema should consider wearing a well-fitting compression garment for air travel. The NLN cannot specifically recommend compression garments for prophylaxis in at-risk patients

Extremes of Temperature 

•    Individuals should use common sense and proceed cautiously when using heat therapy. Observe if there is swelling in the at-risk limb or increased swelling in the lymph edematous limb and cease use of heat such as a hot tub or sauna

•    Avoid exposure to extreme cold, which can be associated with rebound swelling, or chapping of skin

•    Avoid prolonged (greater than 15 minutes) exposure to heat, particularly hot tubs and saunas

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