When should I seek medical help?

A: Look out for the following warning signs of an infection so that you can seek prompt treatment:

• Fever
• Skin surface is warm or hot to touch
• Skin redness
• change in the size of your arm, swelling of your arm
• Increasing pain in your arm
• Heaviness and aching when doing activities using your arm

How do I Reduce My Risk of Developing or Worsening My Lymphoedema?

Dos

• Do avoid cuts/injuries/scalding/burns to your affected arm.
• Do wear long-sleeve clothing and apply insect repellent regularly to avoid insect bites and animal scratches.
• Do treat all injuries to your affected arm with antiseptics and keep all wounds dry and clean.
• Do wear gloves when gardening, doing household chores and washing with detergents.
• Do gradually build up your duration and intensity of any activity or exercise.
• Do take frequent rest periods during activity to allow limb recovery.
• Do monitor your affected arm during and after activity for any change in size, shape, texture, soreness, heaviness, or firmness.
• Do maintain a healthy weight.
• Do make it a habit to raise your affected arm on a pillow before sleeping, as this helps to drain lymph fluid from your arm.
• Do moisturise your skin regularly with a hand cream to prevent cracking of the skin.
• Do seek medical advice when you need to travel long distances or when in doubt.

Don'ts

• Don't use blades to remove your underarm hair. Use electric shavers or creams to remove unwanted hair instead.
• Don't cut cuticles when manicuring your nails.
• Don't allow any blood pressure taking, injections/punctures on your affected arm. (e.g. venepuncture, vaccinations or acupuncture.)
• Don't carry heavy items such as shopping bags or groceries with your affected arm, as too much strain will lead to arm discomfort and swelling.
• Don't lie on your affected arm while sleeping as it will compress the arm and prevent the flow of lymph fluid.
• Don't expose your affected arm to direct sunlight or heat for prolonged periods as high temperatures can easily damage the skin (e.g. avoid sun tanning, hot baths/showers and saunas.)
• Don't immerse your hands in water for prolonged periods.
• Don't wear tight and constrictive clothing, jewelleries and watch on your affected arm.
• Don't use forceful and repetitive movements with your affected arm (e.g. rubbing, scrubbing, pushing or pulling).
• Don't ignore any pain or swelling of your affected arm. Contact TTSH Breat Clinic or your Breast Care Nurse (BCN) immediately