Caring for your skin when you have lymphoedema

Why you need to care for your skin

You need to look after your skin if you have swelling caused by a build up of lymph fluid (lymphoedema). Protecting your skin helps to reduce the risk of an injury or infection. These can make the swelling worse. This is because an injury or infection can cause more damage to the lymphatic system. 

You are at risk of an infection called cellulitis if you have lymphoedema or are at risk of developing lymphoedema. Keeping your skin healthy, unbroken, and well moisturised helps to prevent this.

Read about infection and lymphoedema

Looking after your skin

You can do a number of things to help protect your skin and lower your risk of infection or injury:

• Keep your skin clean and dry. Wash daily paying attention to skin creases, skin folds, and between your fingers and toes.

• Avoid soaps that dry the skin. Using a soap substitute, such as aqueous cream may help.

• Moisturise your skin daily.

• Clean cuts or grazes straight away with clean water, then put an antiseptic cream over the area if you don't have an allergy to the cream. Then cover the area.

• Protect your skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4 or 5 stars. Use it generously, reapply regularly and use together with shade and clothing.

• Use an insect repellent if you're bitten or stung, try not to scratch and use antihistamine cream if you don't have an allergy to the cream.

• Avoid extremes of temperature that can dry your skin – including hot, cold or windy weather.

• Avoid wearing tight clothing or jewellery.

• Where possible, try to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time if you have leg swelling.

• Keep your nails short and clean.

• Wear correctly fitting supportive shoes if you have lymphoedema in the legs.

• Where possible avoid having injections, blood taken, or your blood pressure checked on the affected arm.

• Wear gardening gloves and oven gloves to protect your arms from injury.

Removing hair on or near the affected area 

Be careful when removing body hair. Using an electric razor may help avoid injuring the skin. Hair removal creams can cause skin irritation and you need to check you don't have an allergy to the cream. Waxing, plucking and sugaring can damage the skin increasing the risk of infection. So, these should be avoided. Before you try any hair removal products ask your lymphoedema specialist for advice.

Hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms

There is some evidence the heat from hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms might affect the swelling. But more research is needed. Be careful if you use these and use them for a short amount of time. Always check the swollen area for any changes while you use a hot tub, sauna or steam room.

To reduce the risk of infection avoid these if you have any open wounds or cuts in your skin.

Talk to your lymphoedema specialist if you are at high risk of getting lymphoedema and want to use a hot tub, sauna or steam room.

Moisturising your skin

To keep your skin moist, you need to use a moisturiser (emollient). They help to stop your skin losing water. They do this by creating a protective layer. 

There are different types of emollients, including bath oils, soap substitutes, and moisturisers. Check with your lymphoedema specialist that moisturisers you like to use are suitable. Try to avoid perfumed body lotions because they can dry your skin and cause skin irritation.

You need to moisturise your skin every day. How you do this and what you use depends on the condition of your skin. You should usually apply your moisturiser at night after you have removed your compression garment. Your lymphoedema specialist will explain the best way for you to help protect your skin.  

When applying your moisturiser always check for any signs of an infection or injury. Contact your lymphoedema specialist or doctor if you think your skin looks red or feels hot. Or you have pain in the area, a high temperature or generally feel unwell.

Support for you

Lymphoedema can also affect you emotionally. You can get help and support with this, so ask for help from your treatment team if you need it.

Read about coping with lymphoedema