Author: Jennifer Austin (BSc MS)
Skin care is one of the most important considerations when it comes to keeping healthy when you are experiencing lymphedema.
There are a range of products available today which will help you keep your skin healthy and infection free.
However it can be confusing as to which products to use on your skin when attending to your daily hygeine routine.
Keep reading for my guide on which skin care products to use for lymphedema.
Introduction
The swelling in your body caused by lymphedema has the potential to be made worse by injury or infection.
These in turn may further damage the lymphatic system and put you at a higher risk of conditions such as cellulitis.
Keeping your skin in top shape is key to maintaining the body’s natural film, which can help slow infection.
We covered skin care for lymphedema in further detail in an article which can be found here.
The focus of this article however is to look at products which can help you look after your skin when you have lymphedema.
Soap For Lymphedema
Mild emollient soap is recommended for skin experiencing lymphedema.
An emollient is a moisturizing treatment which is applied directly to the skin.
It can help correct dryness and scaling of the skin to restore the skins natural oils and barriers.
This can be in the form of soap bars, such as Oilatum Soap Bars.
Bath Oil For Lymphedema
Emollients can also be added to a bath so help restore your skin while you bathe.
When used regularly, moisturizers and moisturizing bath oils help restore the skin’s smoothness, softness and flexibility.
For a great bath oil which contains emollients check out Baleneum Bath Oil.
Low pH Mositurizer/pH Balanced Mositurizer For Lymphedema
A low pH, or ‘pH balanced’ moisturizer should be used on skin with lymphedema.
The condition of your skin will dictate the type of moisturizer which best suits you.
For skin which is generally in good condition, you should look for a bland cream or lotion.
I like Thena’s Healing Cream as it is packed with natural ingredients (99.6% in fact), is fast acting, and a little goes a long way.
For skin which is more dry, flaky or scaly you should go for a thicker ointment cream.
Ointments are better than cream at penetrating deeper into the skin, and will reduce skin dryness for longer.
I recommend Epiderm Ointment for this type of skin as it has been developed by dermatologists to help keep your skin smooth, soft and flexible.
Towels For Lymphedema
Skin in an area affected by Lymphedema can become fragile, thin, and brittle.
Many of us use terrycloth towels to dry our skin without realizing how abrasive these can be.
Following a wash we will typically drag such a towel over our skin. Usually to get rid of any excess moisture, but in some cases as an exfoliant to get rid of any excess dry skin etc.
Unfortunately when this is repeated day after day it can strip the skin of essential oils. And in the case of lymphedema can damage the skin.
Patting with a towel is recommended as a less harsh approach to drying the skin.
However you may find that towels made from a different material are kinder to your skin.
Bamboo Towels
It might sound strange to use something derived from wood when you are looking for something that is kind to your skin.
However, when bamboo fiber is spun with cotton it makes an ultra-soft material which is ideal to be used on delicate skin.
Are Bamboo Towels Good For Lymphedema?
Yes as bamboo towels are highly absorbent, breathable, and ultra-soft.
They are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, and are also resistant to bacteria, even after many washes.
These towels are available in washcloth and full size.
For convenience, quality bamboo washcloths and towels can be found on Amazon by clicking on the buttons below.
Bamboo Towels
Bamboo Wash Cloths
Wash Cloths For Lymphedema
Bamboo wash cloths work perfectly well for the reasons we mentioned above.
However you may wish to consider a silk wash cloth also.
When used on skin, silk causes less friction and irritation to your face than a standard washcloth, making it a great choice for a range of skin types.
You may also wish to consider muslin as a material for your wash clothes and towels.
It is incredibly soft and also breathable.
And muslin is shown to remain soft following many washes.
Sunscreen For Lymphedema
Sunburn can cause blistering and dryness.
So you should try and cover up when in the sun, and it is recommended that you use a sun cream with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Alba Botanica offer an emollient sunscreen with a SPF of 30, making it ideal.
Insect Repellant For Lymphedema
It is recommended that you use an insect repellant with a minimum DEET rating of 50%.
For maximum coverage try Ben’s 100% DEET Mosquito, Tick and Insect Repellent.
Just remember not to apply such products over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. Also do not apply to excessively sunburned skin.
Products For Managing Cuts With Lymphedema & Foot Care
My choice for dealing with cuts in a natural way is to use Tea Tree oil.
This natural way to heal cuts has been proven in studies to speed up healing time of cuts.
Simply mix one drop of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil (olive and almond oil also work).
Apply a small amount of the mixture to the injury and then cover with a bandage.
Repeat once or twice a day until a scab forms.
I prefer an organic tea tree oil such as this one from Mary Tylor Naturals.
Tea Tree oil can also be used to help prevent fungal infections. Simply soak your feet in a bowl of warm water with 2 drops of tea tree oil added.
Alternatively try an anti-fungal powder.
Lymphatic Brush For Dry Brushing
Although not used for skin care as such, you may wish to pick up a lymphatic brush.
Dry brushing is recognized as a way to stimulate your lymphatic system and reduce swelling.
Ensure you pick a brush with natural fibers to reduce the risk of skin aggravation, such as the one pictured below.
There are guides available online on how to use such brushes effectively, such as this one.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are lots of options when it comes to products to help you care for skin affected by lymphedema.
The key takeaways here are to use soft material on your skin, and always try to keep your skin moist and supple to help it avoid drying out.
I hope this article was useful in helping you find the best skin care products for lymphedema.
You can check out many more like this on lymphedemalifeline.org.
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