Hot summer days can cause swelling in people with a normal lymphatic system. Heat is especially problematic in people who have lymphedema. Along with increased swelling comes increased chance of infection. Whether you are experiencing warm weather at home or when traveling, there are several things you can do to help keep your body temperature down.
At the May Swell group meeting, Magdalena Pertoldova offered several tips.
- If the weather is excessively hot stay indoors, especially between 11 am and 3 pm.
- Lukewarm baths or showers will cool you off.
- Wrap a wet towel around your affected limb and elevate (remove your garment to avoid getting it wet).
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Wear light non-constricting clothing.
- Avoid salty foods and foods high in sodium (that pepperoni pizza is not worth it…).
- Avoid sunburn.
- Wearing your night garment, rest your limb on an icepack.
- Try putting your night garment in the freezer prior to wearing it to stay cool at least for a little bit.
- Using an icepack in your pillow case will cool you off.
- Use hand fans and spray water bottles to cool off.
For further tips on how to handle hot days please visit Alexa Ercolano’s website, Lymphie Life.
https://thelymphielife.com/2015/07/18/beat-the-heat-with-these-lymphedema-summer-safety-tips/