Lymphedema flare-ups are often triggered by infection, injury, heat, inactivity, tight clothing, or travel, causing increased swelling due to fluid buildup, while factors like obesity, aging, and worn-out compression gear can also worsen it over time, highlighting the need for proper skin care, movement, and consistent management.
Causes of lymphoedema
You may notice lymphoedema in the months after surgery, radiotherapy or sometimes chemotherapy. Or it can happen many years later. It can also be triggered by a skin infection called cellulitis or injury to the area.
The main symptom of lymphoedema is swelling in all or part of a limb or another part of the body. It can be difficult to fit into clothes, and jewellery and watches can feel tight. At first, the swelling may be soft and easy to push in, leaving a dent, and may come and go.
Lymphedema occurs as a result of a blockage in the lymphatic system. This is most often caused by a traumatic event, such as sports injuries or deep cuts and bruises, as an aftereffect of surgery or cancer treatment. More rarely, lymphedema can occur as birth defect or symptom of infection.
Conditions like lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and congestive heart failure can lead to edema bruising and severe swelling, so start by getting a proper diagnosis. Maintaining a healthy weight is a big part of managing edema bruising and swelling.
The swelling might be so minor that you barely notice, or so severe it makes it hard to move that part of your body well. A limb that feels full or heavy, skin that seems tight, and jewelry and clothes that are suddenly snug can be from lymphedema. You could be achy or have hardened skin in the affected area.
Two early-stage clinical trials led by Stanford researchers have shown that ketoprofen can improve skin damage in patients with lymphedema.
Trauma: Your lymphatic system is a rich network of vessels that are directly under your skin, as well as deep. Sometimes, trauma to an area of your body may damage lymphatic vessels under your skin, causing lymphedema. Infection: An infection may increase lymphatic system damage.
What Should You Avoid With Lymphedema?
Keep the swollen limb elevated as much as possible and protect your skin from injury. The swelling from lymphedema might dull pain from an injury or burn, so don't use heating pads on the affected limb. Moisturize your skin daily.
Lipedema and lymphedema share the ending “edema” — a medical term that indicates swelling due to the buildup of fluid. Both conditions target limbs and can be mistaken for the other, but they are two distinct issues with distinct treatments.
The hallmark of lymphorrhea is the discharge of a light amber-colored fluid that flows, trickles, or beads up from the skin around an opening in the skin.
Causes of Lymphedema
Lymphedema can be either primary, where there is no underlying cause, or secondary, where it is a result of lymph vessels or nodes that were removed, scarred or damaged, typically after surgery. Infection, cancer and radiation treatments for cancer also put you at risk for lymphedema.
Yes, underwire bras can contribute to swollen lymph nodes by placing chronic pressure on key drainage points under the arm and breast. While not proven to cause cancer, they may restrict lymph flow, raising questions worth exploring if you've found a lump or feel persistent swelling.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if: You have signs of infection, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. Red streaks leading from the area.
Primary lymphoedema is caused by alterations (mutations) in genes responsible for the development of the lymphatic system. The faulty genes cause the parts of the lymphatic system responsible for draining fluid to not develop properly or not work as they should.
Lymphologists are doctors who are specially trained in the diagnosis of and therapy for diseases of the lymphatic system.
Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down. Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart. Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
The most commonly used drugs which can cause edema are: • calcium channel blockers e.g. amlodipine • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen • corticosteroids e.g. prednisolone • hormones and related compounds e.g. tamoxifen Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) These are probably the medications most ...