LEG FLUID RETENTION SKIN

Skin care – keep your skin clean and moisturised. Clean any cuts or scratches with an antiseptic and cover them with a plaster – this can help to reduce the risk of infection.

This massage can be done by yourself, a carer or family member, or by a healthcare professional.

Massage – a special type of massage called Manual Lymphatic Drainage encourages the fluid to drain away.

Compression – wearing special clothing or bandages that gently squeeze the part of your body that’s affected and encourage the fluid to drain away.

Lymphoedema can’t be cured but there are things that can be done to manage it. There are four main way to treat it: You can contact the Lymphoedema Support Network to find out about your local lymphoedema service. They can also refer you to a specialist team for assessment, if one is available in your area. If it’s a new problem, they can offer you tests to find out what’s causing the lymphoedema. If you think you have lymphoedema, speak to your doctor or nurse about your concerns. It’s often caused by cancer and treatments for cancer, including radiotherapy and surgery. There are lots of reasons why a person might have lymphoedema. It can change the way you think about your body and make you feel low or worried. Lymphoedema can be distressing for some people.

skin infection – lymphoedema means you have a higher risk of infection if you have a cut or scratch in your skin.

When lymphatic fluid builds up in the body, it can cause problems including: Lymphoedema most commonly affects your arms or legs, but can also happen in other areas of your body. If there is a problem with the lymphatic system, the fluid isn’t drained away properly and builds up under the skin. The fluid in your body drains into lymph vessels so it can be carried back to your heart and into your blood. The lymphatic system is made of lymph nodes (glands) and a network of tiny tubes (lymph vessels). Lymphoedema is a swelling in the body caused by blockage or failure of the lymphatic (pronounced ‘lim-fa-tick’) system. These techniques all encourage the fluid to drain away and reduce the swelling.

keeping active – even gentle exercise can help.

If they can’t find a cause they will help you find ways to get relief from the symptoms. If they can identify it, they’ll treat it directly. They will look for the specific cause of your oedema.

You might be referred to a specialist physiotherapist, occupational therapist or nurse for advice.

If you think you have oedema, let your nurse or doctor know. a very low level of protein in your blood (hypoalbuminemia).illness, including cancer, heart failure and kidney failure.Oedema causes swelling under the skin, and can also cause: It often affects the legs and ankles but can affect any part of the body. Oedema (pronounced ‘uh-dee-ma’) is a swelling caused by a build-up of fluid.

Leg fluid retention