![]() ![]() In some circumstances you may be admitted to hospital for treatment. If you live too far away to travel to the hospital each day, you may be offered an alternative treatment plan (for example three days each week). You will be asked to bring a washcloth, soap, towel and your moisturiser, so you can wash your limb before it is re-bandaged. If you have been offered a course of multilayer compression bandaging, you will be given a card listing the dates and times of your appointments. The first treatment usually takes about an hour and then each daily session may be between 30 minutes and one hour. ![]() Your lymphoedema therapist will also check the condition of your skin each time you attend, when you can wash your limb. The bandages are usually renewed every weekday, to maintain compression. A course of multilayer compression bandaging lasts for about three weeks. Sometimes you may be taught to do this yourself. Your lymphoedema therapist will usually do the bandaging. Several layers of bandaging and foam pads will be applied to your limb to give even compression and to reshape it. The skin is fragile and may be damaged by putting on and removing hosiery.Conventional hosiery is not available for a particular size or shape of limb.This is used to provide compression when: You may purchase additional garments at the full price if you wish. You will not have to pay a prescription charge for your compression garments once you have completed form FP92A to apply for a certificate which entitles people with a cancer diagnosis to free prescriptions. If you have any questions about your hosiery you can ask your lymphoedema therapist. ![]() It may be your family doctor or the appliance officer at your local hospital. Who supplies your garments will depend on where you have been referred for your lymphoedema treatment. You will need replacement sleeves, stocking or pairs of tights every four or six months because they lose their compression over time. Instructions may vary with the make of garment so check these carefully.Ĭompression garments are available in a few different colours depending on the style and the make. Use a mild washing powder or liquid, such as one recommended for woollens or delicate fabrics, as detergents can damage the garments. Your hosiery should be washed, every two to three days, at 40 degrees or less and allowed to dry naturally. If you are wearing more than one garment, you should be given two sets. You will be given one sleeve, one stocking or one pair of tights and a second garment will be requested from your family doctor (GP) on prescription so you can wash one and wear one. If you have any problems at all, with the fit or comfort of your garment, contact your lymphoedema therapist. If you notice a change in the colour of your fingers or toes or any new tingling, numbness or pain in your limb, remove your hosiery straight away. Once your hosiery is on it should feel firm, supportive and, above all comfortable. If you continue to have difficulty, you may be able to buy a special applicator. You may find that wearing ordinary household rubber gloves allows you to get a firmer grip. Your hosiery may be difficult to put on but your lymphoedema therapist will help you with this and show you the best way. By day three or four, you should be wearing it all day. You may like to wear your sleeve, stocking or tights for a few hours on the first day, gradually increasing the time. When you start wearing hosiery it will probably feel strange. You should put on your sleeve, stocking or tights first thing in the morning and remove them last thing at night. Extra layers increase compression so you may be asked to wear more than one garment at a time. Limb size shouldn't increase and sometimes may be reduced. It provides resistance against which the muscles can pump and move lymph more effectively. It is designed to limit the formation of lymph. Most people with lymphoedema are fitted with compression hosiery. However, there is a garment available for facial swelling. Compression therapy isn't usually offered as a treatment method for swelling of the head and neck. Compression hosiery, that is an elastic sleeve or stockingĪ firm, supportive bra may be helpful for breast swelling.Compression therapy to a swollen limb can be provided in two ways: You may always need to wear a compression garment, particularly during times of increased physical activity. ![]()
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