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Skin Care
Skin problems
One of the questions that is often asked by our members on the online support group is, "Why do we often have skin problems?" Is it because of medication? The environment? Central heating in winter? Or is it down to our lymphoedema?
There isn't a single, clear solution. Regardless of whether you have lymphoedema or not, we owe it to ourselves to take loving care of our greatest organ, the skin.
Keep our skin from drying out, look for cuts, grazes, and rashes, and treat them immediately to prevent infection.
Extreme cold-water temperatures are not good for lymphoedema skin, neither is anything too hot.
Bath or Shower?
When you have your bath/shower make sure you test the water temperature. Optimum shower temperature 32°- 42 ° Celsius. Ours is kept on 38° c because this suits me and my husband. It's a personal choice. We are lucky as our shower has its own thermostat.
Drying your skin - Use a clean towel
Make sure you dry your skin thoroughly. Pay attention to drying between fingers, toes, skin folds.
If your skin is normal rub dry, if you have fragile skin, thinning skin or damaged skin, carefully pat dry. Be careful not to damage your skin further.
Note: Thinning skin may occur as we get older.
Skin Hygiene
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Wash your skin everyday
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Use soap free cleansers (Aqueous Cream) that will not dry your skin out.
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Use a clean towel. Dry you skin carefully, pay attention to between the fingers, toes and skin folds
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Moisturising is an effective way to avoid dry skin, after your bath or shower get into the habit of treating your skin daily.
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If you wear a sleeve or any form of compression garments, then moisturise at night before you go to bed.
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Preferably use a non-scented low pH level soap and moisturiser as they are less likely to dry out the skin.
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Moisturise from within by drinking more glasses of water.
Why is skincare so important?
Whether you are living with lymphoedema or at risk of developing lymphoedema you may be more likely to develop skin infections to your affected area or limb because lymph fluid drainage is reduced, and you have a compromised immune system. Your goal is to safeguard the health of your skin, avoid skin ageing, cellulitis, and other fungus-related diseases.
Your lymphoedema may get worse and be more difficult to manage if you have skin infections.
Examine your skin daily for changes, breaks, lymph fluid leaking, unusual redness, or increased swelling, and keep an eye out for indentations brought on by tight clothing, jewellery, or shoes.
Just with most things in life, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to skin care. Because we are all unique and have different skin types, you might not benefit from the skin care I use. Although skin care is a matter of personal preference, consult your lymphoedema nurse practitioner since you could require specialised products. Find out if you are entitled to specialised creams or lotions on prescription if you reside in the UK.
Our skin is our largest organ - selfcare - love your skin
Moisturise
Moisturise everyday, make it part of your daily routine.
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Face
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Neck
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Arms
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Torso
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Legs
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Feet
Pay particular attention to your elbows and heels. When you do this daily it only takes a few minutes and you owe it to yourself to look after your skin.
CAUTION: Keep moist areas of your skin dry. Take extra care to dry between your toes as this can be a source of infection.
Prevent
It is extremely important that those of us who live with lymphoedema should take good care of our skin to prevent infection like cellulitis.
Check daily for:
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Small cuts
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Grazes
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Breaks in the skin
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Bites
Treat immediately by washing area thoroughly, apply antiseptic cream. Use insect repellent when necessary.
Caution
Caution is advised to your affected limbs of any invasive procedures.
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No invasive procedures to the affected area
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No Blood pressure readings/blood tests, injections or IVS
Wherever possible use the opposite side to your treatment.
Skin Hydration
Keep skin hydrated through daily moisturising. However, other ways to hydrate your skin is to moisturise from within. Drink plenty of water.
If you cannot face drinking water try a glass of warm water with a slice of lemon or lime.
Alternatively try herbal tea.
Stay away from caffeine like coffee and fizzy drinks as they may increase your swelling.
Patch Test
Whenever you try new skin care products always remember to do a patch test.
A patch test will determine if you are allergic to the substances in the emollients you use.
To do a patch test at home put some cream on the inner side of your wrist or on the inside of the elbow as these are the most delicate areas.
Check for redness or a rash. If you get a reaction discontinue use of cream.
Lymphoedema skin can be super sensitive so please take good care of it.
Breaking the Itch/Scratch Cycle
and
Skin Flare-ups
With lymphoedema, we must protect our skin because we will occasionally experience flare ups. Several of our members discuss inflammatory conditions including psoriasis and eczema. The poster offers advice on how to stop the cycle of itching and scratching.
Creams, Gels, Lotions & Ointments
Safety Guidance
Emollients (both paraffin-based and paraffin free)
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Keep away from fire, flames, and cigarettes. Compression/dressings. clothing and bedding that have been in contact with an emollient can easily catch fire. Washing fabrics at high temperatures may reduce the build-up of emollient but does not remove completely.
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Be careful not to slip when using emollients in the bath or shower, or on a tiled floor. Protect the floor with non-slip mat, or towel.
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Cross infection use, the back of a spoon or spatula to remove emollients from a pot or tub to prevent contaminating the emollient.
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Caution: If you experience any type of skin reaction like a burning sensation, rash or redness please seek advice from your GP, Nurse or Pharmacist.
Which skin care product is best?
For lymphoedema skin it is important that you are guided by your lymphoedema practitioner or health care provider. The aim of creams, gels, lotions, ointments, and sprays is to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) which is the main cause of dry skin. Emollients are applied directly to the skin to hydrate and soothe. They form a protective layer to the skin to hold in moisture.
There are a wide range of medical emollients available, do remember you have a personal choice. For example I prefer a cream and do not like a gel, talk to your lymphoedema practitioner.
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Creams: often cosmetic and are oil-in-water emollients, can be used regularly
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Lotions: more water than oil and feel lighter than creams can be used daily
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Ointments: oil only emollients, greasy in texture and more often used when treating TEWL
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Sprays: Used for hard to reach areas that are sore or infected and should not be touched. Sprays are absorbed quickly by the skin.
Emollients – are used when your skin feels dry and tight, they help to replace lost moisture. They can be applied directly to the skin with smooth, light strokes following the direction of hair growth (this will prevent the hair follicles being blocked). No need to rub in. Emollients can be applied often, after showering, washing hands, housework, crafts, gardening, or swimming.
Skincare at Work
Skincare Aids
My favourite shower aid
Portable footbath
Foot Towel to dry in between your toes. Essential to keep this area dry to stay
infection free.
Lotion applicator. If you have limited mobility this handy tool helps.
If you have Eczema you may find this App useful.
The Self Care Forum have a great fact sheet to download or print on Eczema
Continual Professional Development(CPD)
I firmly support continuous professional development (CPD). Since founding L-W-O Community, I've taken numerous courses to improve my knowledge and skills, ensuring that when I write, create graphics, or make short videos, they are supported not only by my own experience with lymphoedema but also by learning through CPD courses. This learning allows me to take a holistic approach, not only to develop my own personal skills but also to deliver the best non-medical information possible to our members and followers.
Please note in 2021 I did the following course/webinars so that I could better understand the importance of skin care while living with lymphoedema.
Skin Intelligence Academy - CPD Certification on Tissue Viability and Emollients
Dermatology Webinar Series - How to conduct a Virtual Diabetes Foot Screening
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