Risk Reduction Practices

I. Skin Care

1. Perform through out your day and everyday (in shower, car, in front of TV, etc.)
2. Avoid trauma/injury and reduce infection risk
3. Keep extremity clean and dry.
4. Apply moisturizer daily to prevent chapping/chaffing of skin.
5. Attention to nail care, do not cut cuticles.
6. Protect exposed skin with sunscreen and insect repellent.
7. Use care with razors to avoid nicks and skin irritation.
8. If possible, avoid punctures such as injections and blood draws.
9. Wear gloves while doing activities that may cause skin injury (i.e., gardening, working with tools, using chemicals such as detergent).
10. If scratches/punctures to skin occur, wash with soap and water, apply antibiotics, and observe for signs of infection (i.e. redness).
11. If a rash, itching, redness, pain, increased skin temperature, fever or flu-like symptoms occur, contact your physician immediately.

II. Activity / Lifestyle

1. Gradually build up the duration and intensity of any activity or exercise.
2. Take frequent rest periods during activity to allow for limb recovery.
3. Monitor the extremity during and after activity for any change in size, shape, tissue, texture, soreness, heaviness or firmness.
4. Maintain optimal weight.

III. Avoid limb constriction

IV. Compression Garments

1. Should be well-fitting.
2. Support the at risk limb with a compression garment for strenuous activity (i.e. weight lifting, prolonged standing, running).
3. Wear a well-fitting compression garment for air travel.

V. Extremes of Temperature

1. Avoid exposure to extreme cold, which can be associated with rebound swelling, or chapping of skin.
2. Avoid prolonged (> 15 minutes) exposure to heat, particularly hot tubs and saunas.
3. Avoid immersing limb in water temperatures above 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

VI. Additional practices

(for lower extremity lymphedema)

18 Steps to Prevention Revised: Lymphedema Risk-Reduction Practices. by Saskia R.J. Thiadens, RN