In order to reduce and control lymphedema, many people use compression garments. With the help of the compression garment, the lymph fluid and its build-up are limited. It helps the fluids to move in that area where it is draining well. In addition, it also provides support that helps the muscles pump the fluid away. With different levels and including different grades of pressure, compression garments are available. The garment that you will be using is dependent on factors like how much swelling is there in the body and which parts are affected. It is also important that the person who deals in compression garment measurement help you with your compression garment.
See a Specialist –
A specialist can provide you with a compression garments for lymphedema. There are general physicians also who can advise you or prescribe you with the compression garment but on the advice of a specialist who deals in such cases. Depending on your swelling, the specialist or the general physician on the advice of the specialist can prescribe you the following kinds of garments – sleeves for swollen arms, stockings for swollen legs, special garments for lymphedema in fingers and toes, then for lymphedema near the breast or chest area you can also get a compression bra or vest.
Wearing Compression Garments –
Besides, you also get garments for lymphedema for the genital areas too. There are ways in which you put on and remove a compression garment. Apart from that, when the limb is at its smallest, you should put on the compression garment first thing in the morning. You can put on the compression garments even after a shower, but make sure that your skin is not damp, else it will be difficult to wear the compression garment. Do not turn or roll the compression garment or top over as it will restrict the blood flow and it can cause more swelling.
Rubber Gloves for Wearing Compression Garments –
Plus, there are different things that are available that helps the patients to put the garment on and off the area of swelling. You can ask your lymphedema specialist about those things. Also, when you wear the compression garment, make sure that your material of the garment is spread evenly and there are no creases on it. Wearing a rubber glove is also useful as it can help the patients to put on the compression garment and take it off. Also, you can remove any creases with the help of rubber gloves.
Don’t Moisturize –
In addition, it is important that you moisturize your skin at night time after you remove the compression garment. Do not moisturize in the morning hours when you are about to wear a compression garment as this can make it difficult for the garments to move up to the swollen areas. Many people think that wearing a moisturizer can help the garments to move up quickly in the area where there is swelling. Like they feel it will be easy to wear the garment. But that’s a wrong notion. So please do not do that and do not apply powder, thinking it will help to smoothly wear the compression garment, it can affect the working of the compression garment.
When not to wear the Compression Garments –
The compression garments can be too tight and you can notice the sensation and changes, watch out for these signs – change of color of your finger or toes, pain, needles and pins, numbness. If you notice any such sensation then you should remove the compression garment and see your specialist. It is very important that you buy a compression garment that fits you correctly. Some situations in which you should not wear a compression garment are when the skin is fragile, or damaged, the skin is pitted, folded or the lymph fluid is leaking or you have cellulitis in that area.
