Which lymphoedema treatment do you need?

The type of lymphoedema treatment you have depends on how much swelling you have and which part of your body it affects. Other important factors are your medical history and your mobility. 

The main treatments for lymphoedema are:

• skin care - keeping the skin in the swollen area clean, dry and moisturised and preventing injury and infection

• exercise - to keep lymph flowing through the lymphatic system and help you to maintain a healthy weight

• reducing and controlling the swelling - this can include compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)

The amount of swelling (lymphoedema) you have

Mild lymphoedema means there is slight swelling in the area. Your lymphoedema specialist will explain how to look after your skin. They will also show you any exercises you need to do. Depending on where you have lymphoedema, they might also suggest a compression garment.

More severe lymphoedema usually needs specialised treatment. This is called intensive treatment. It could include multi-layered bandaging to reduce the swelling. You might have it with or without a type of massage called manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). The MLD helps the lymph fluid to drain away from the swollen area.

This intensive treatment usually lasts for a few weeks. Once the swelling has gone down, you wear a compression garment to help keep the swelling under control. Your specialist might also teach you how to bandage yourself.

Lymphoedema treatment for the part of the body affected

The treatment you need will depend on where the lymphoedema is.

Lymphoedema in your head and neck

The main treatments are:

• specialised skin massage called manual lymphatic drainage
• exercise 
• skin care 

The head and neck area can be a difficult area to apply compression that is also comfortable. But there are compression garments available. These may be made to measure. Your specialist will show you the correct way to wear them.

You shouldn't wear anything around your neck. 

Your lymphoedema specialist will teach you exercises for your head and neck.

Lymphoedema in your chest, trunk, breast or genital area

Depending on the amount of swelling, you might be able to wear compression garments. A good supportive bra can help with breast swelling. Or a supportive vest can help with chest and trunk swelling. For more severe lymphoedema you might need manual lymphatic drainage. You wear a compression garment once the swelling is under control.

Shapewear or compression pants (cycling pants) can help with genital swelling. Some people might also have manual lymphatic drainage.

Your lymphoedema specialist might also use special tape to help the lymph fluid to drain. Or you might have bandaging if you have severe lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema of your arm or leg

The aim of treatment is to reduce and control the swelling as much as possible so that you can get on with your life as normal.  

You wear a compression garment to manage the lymphoedema. You might also have bandaging with or without manual lymphatic drainage to reduce the swelling. Then you'll need to wear a compression garment to keep the swelling down. 

Your lymphoedema specialist might also use special tape to help the lymph fluid to drain.