When you notice that you are developing swelling, first step to do is to check with your doctor. You should be diagnosed by your primary physician for you to address the problem.
It is advised that you get referred to a certified lymphedema therapist to help you manage the lymphedema. Find in your area that are certified lymphedema therapist and get help.
Simple tips in managing lymphedema:
- Skin care: You must take care of your skin. Taking a shower or bath to clean your skin is one way of taking care of your skin. Apply moisturizer lotion to keep it from drying. When you leave the skin dry, it is easily getting nick or cut even just a little scratch can be potential of organism to enter your body. And this may lead to infection such as cellulitis.
So, use lotion such as Eucerin, curel or aquaphor lotion.
- Do not use blade razor if you want to shave your legs. But instead use an electric razor. You want to avoid nicking from the blade razor.
- Avoid hot spa. Because of the heat, it can increase the swelling.
- If you love sun bathing, you must consider NOT to do that because the heat from the sun can also exacerbate the lymphedema.