Key Points for This Section

Steps may be taken to prevent lymphedema or keep it from getting worse. Preventive steps include the following: Tell your health care provider right away if you notice symptoms of lymphedema. Keep skin and nails clean and cared for, to prevent infection. Avoid blocking the flow of fluids through the body. Keep blood from pooling in the affected limb. It is not known how exercise affects lymphedema related to breast cancer.

Steps may be taken to prevent lymphedema or keep it from getting worse.

Taking preventive steps may keep lymphedema from developing. Health care providers can teach patients how to prevent and take care of lymphedema at home. If lymphedema has developed, these steps may keep it from getting worse.

Preventive steps include the following:

Tell your health care provider right away if you notice symptoms of lymphedema.

See the General Information ¹ section for symptoms that may be caused by lymphedema. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. The chance of improving the condition is better if treatment begins early. Untreated lymphedema can lead to problems that cannot be reversed.

Keep skin and nails clean and cared for, to prevent infection.

Bacteria can enter the body through a cut, scratch, insect bite, or other skin injury. Fluid that is trapped in body tissues by lymphedema makes it easy for bacteria to grow and cause infection. Look for signs of infection, such as redness, pain, swelling, heat, fever, or red streaks below the surface of the skin. Call your doctor right away if any of these signs appear. Careful skin and nail care helps prevent infection:

• Use cream or lotion to keep the skin moist.
• Treat small cuts or breaks in the skin with an antibacterial ointment.
• Avoid needle sticks of any type into the limb (arm or leg) with lymphedema. This includes shots or blood tests.
• Use a thimble for sewing.
• Avoid testing bath or cooking water using the limb with lymphedema. There may be less feeling (touch, temperature, pain) in the affected arm or leg, and skin might burn in water that is too hot.
• Wear gloves when gardening and cooking.
• Wear sunscreen and shoes when outdoors.
• Cut toenails straight across. See a podiatrist (foot doctor) as needed to prevent ingrown nails and infections.
• Keep feet clean and dry and wear cotton socks.

Avoid blocking the flow of fluids through the body.

It is important to keep body fluids moving, especially through an affected limb or in areas where lymphedema may develop.

• Do not cross legs while sitting.
• Change sitting position at least every 30 minutes.
• Wear loose jewelry and clothes without tight bands or elastic.
• Do not carry handbags on the arm with lymphedema.
• Do not use a blood pressure cuff on the arm with lymphedema.
• Do not use elastic bandages or stockings with tight bands.

Keep blood from pooling in the affected limb.

• Keep the limb with lymphedema raised higher than the heart when possible.
• Do not swing the limb quickly in circles or let the limb hang down. This makes blood and fluid collect in the lower part of the arm or leg.
• Do not apply heat to the limb.

It is not known how exercise affects lymphedema related to breast cancer.

In the past, women with lymphedema related to breast cancer were warned against certain types of exercise. Recently, studies have been done to learn how exercise affects this type of lymphedema. In these studies, exercise did not seem to make the lymphedema worse. More studies are needed.

Glossary Terms

A substance that kills bacteria or stops them from growing and causing disease.

A large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause infections and disease in animals and humans. The singular of bacteria is bacterium.

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

The force of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is taken using two measurements: systolic (measured when the heart beats, when blood pressure is at its highest) and diastolic (measured between heart beats, when blood pressure is at its lowest). Blood pressure is written with the systolic blood pressure first, followed by the diastolic blood pressure (for example 120/80).

Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

An increase in body temperature above normal (98.6 degrees F), usually caused by disease.

A substance that flows smoothly and takes the shape of its container. Liquids and gases are fluids.

Invasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, or fungi. They can cause a fever and other problems, depending on where the infection occurs. When the body’s natural defense system is strong, it can often fight the germs and prevent infection. Some cancer treatments can weaken the natural defense system.

A condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. It may occur in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged, or removed by surgery.

A substance used on the skin to soothe or heal wounds, burns, rashes, scrapes, or other skin problems. Also called unguent.

A doctor who specializes in the care of the foot and ankle.

Used to prevent disease.

A substance that helps protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays. Sunscreens reflect, absorb, and scatter both ultraviolet A and B radiation to provide protection against both types of radiation. Using lotions, creams, or gels that contain sunscreens can help protect the skin from premature aging and damage that may lead to skin cancer.

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.