Protecting your affected limbs

The American Lymphedema Institute has compiled these guidelines help protect people from developing lymphedema and postpone it's onset. For those who already have the disorder these guidelines may help prevent further deterioration.

Below, I have listed eight of those things to do to protect your affected limbs when lymphedema occurs.

1. Keep the affected area clean. Use gentle cleaning products to clean the area. Pay special attention to creases in the skin and the areas between toes and fingers.

2. Make sure that every fabric making contact with the affected area is regularly laundered. This includes bandages and compression garments.

3. Use a top quality moisturizing lotion to help maintain the integrity of the skin. The lotion you choose should not contain alcohol, dyes, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum products, talc, or perfumes. The lotion should also have antiseptic properties and correct ph. If you have lymphedema, apply it before and after removing bandages or compression garments and after bathing.

4. Avoid chemical hair removers. If possible, use a well maintained electric razor, be sure to replace the heads regularly.

5. Avoid extreme temperature changes. This includes when bathing, showering and swimming. Also avoid extreme temperature's when washing anything such as dishes, floors, laundry, etc. You must also avoid extreme temperature changes when receiving therapeutic treatments and also when going to the gym stay away from the sauna and the hot tub.

6. Protect the affected limb from weather extremes. In hot weather seek air conditioning and keep the limb cool. In cold weather seek central heating. If you must go out, have the affected limb well bundled, but not sweaty. In sunny weather, protect the limb with sun screen and/or covering.

7. Medical care, such as injections, blood pressure, drawing blood, allergy tests, etc., needs to be performed on an unaffected limb. However, A leg can often be used if both arms are at-risk. Any procedure which punctures the skin in the affected quadrant is to be avoided, including acupuncture.

8. Avoid all tight clothing, jewelry, and elastic bands on the affected limb, including watches, rings and binding stockings.

I will list another eight ways to protect your affected limbs in my next article.

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