If your skin looks and feels 'normal', any bland moisturiser will be suitable, but if your skin is visibly dry and/or scaly a soap substitute followed by a suitable moisturiser/emollient should be used – suitable examples include epiderm, coconut oil BP, aveeno cream, diprobase, double base, lipobase, Hydromol cream.
Celuvase Cream has been an integral part of edema treatment at the Wittlinger Therapy Center in Walchsee/Tyrol for many years. Developed by a biochemist, it is ideally suited to the needs of our patients and has proven particularly useful in the following indications: Painful swelling caused by cellulitis; lipedema.
Moisturising is important as lymphoedema can cause the skin to dry and thicken leading to surface cracks.
Using low-stretch bandages to wrap the entire limb encourages lymph fluid to flow back toward the trunk of the body. Compression garments. Close-fitting elastic sleeves or stockings can compress the arm or leg to encourage lymph fluid drainage.
Avoid trauma or injury to the affected area. Avoid heavy lifting with the affected arm. No new tattoos in the affected area. Do not wear tight clothing, bands, shoes, or jewelry on the affected area.
Citrus. Citrus fruits aid hydration, carry powerful antioxidants and enzymes, and help cleanse and protect the lymphatic system.
Avoid skin infections, burns, and injuries
Your body responds to infection, burn, or injury to the skin by sending extra fluid and white blood cells to the area. If lymph nodes and vessels are missing or damaged, it's harder for your body to move this extra fluid, which can trigger or worsen lymphedema.
Not only does it say that selenium supplements (in the form of sodium selenite) reduce lymphedema volume and increase the efficacy of physical therapy, it even offers a snazzy rationale for it: patients with lymphedema have reduced selenium levels, and these levels further decrease with lymphedema progression.
avoiding very hot baths and showers – the heat from saunas, steam rooms and sun beds may increase the swelling. using sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) to prevent sunburn. wearing gloves for gardening and household tasks to avoid cuts if your upper limbs are affected.
Protein is essential to keeping your body healthy and fully functional. When you do not eat enough protein, fluid can seep from your bloodstream into your tissues, making lymphedema worse. For this reason, you should work healthy protein from seeds, nuts, eggs, legumes, fish, poultry and tofu into your regular diet.
Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) remains the gold standard in the therapy of lymphedema. The first stage is performed by therapists in specialized centers and includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, exercise, and skin care.
It can help promote circulation and detoxify the liver. The acid in ACV can also bind to toxins which can assist in removing toxins from the body. Apple cider vinegar's potassium content helps to break up mucus in the body and clearing the lymph nodes. This also aids in the removal of toxins.
Lymphorrhea is defined as the leakage of lymph onto the skin. It is a known potential complication of primary lymphedema. Lymphorrhea most often occurs after surgery, specifically lymph node dissection, which results in trauma to the lymphatic system.
Exercise
Most experts recommend moderate exercise regularly for people struggling with lymphedema. Aerobic exercise such as walking or swimming can really help to move lymph fluid out of your problem areas and lower the swelling. Talk with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Regular physical exercise is a great way to get your lymphatic system pumping and detoxing your system of waste. Jumping, walking, stretching, yoga, Pilates, and other moderate exercises done on a daily basis will really improve the state of your lymph.
Staying Hydrated for Lymphedema
Because fluid retention can make swelling worse, many people conclude they should drink less water. But it's important to stay hydrated to keep the body in balance. Dehydration tells the body to start retaining fluid. By contrast, healthy hydration keeps flushing sodium out of the body.
The primary difference between lipedema vs lymphedema is that the former is characterized by an accumulation of fatty tissue in the affected areas, whereas lymphoedema is caused by an accumulation of lymph fluid in these tissues. Lymphoedema occurs because of a blockage in your lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system requires water to flow properly. After all, lymph fluid is primarily composed of water and must be hydrated to function and flow. Drinking at least 1 litre of warm lemon water in the morning is a great way to get the lymphatic system moving to help expel toxins.
Common home remedies to treat the symptoms of swollen lymph nodes include: taking over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. applying a warm wet compress to the affected area. drinking plenty of fluids, such as water and fresh juices.
Dry Brush
Dry brushing involves gently rubbing the skin with a body brush. The lymphatic system runs close to the skin, so stimulation from the brush keeps it flowing well. Since it only takes a few minutes to dry brush just before you shower or bathe, this is one of the fastest ways to cleanse your lymphatic system.
Needless to say, sitting all day long with a compromised lymphatic system puts a serious kink in the hose and can aggravate existing swelling.