Lipedema and lymphedema: skin care
Edema skin needs particular attention
In cases of lymphedema, the skin is generally slightly more sensitive and prone to infections. The cellular metabolism is impaired in the area of the lymphedema. This may result in chronic inflammation and a subsequent change in the tissue. In cases of lipedema, moisture between skin folds can be the major cause of damage and infections. The required external pressure applied by compression stockings and bandages subjects your skin to additional strain, resulting in your skin’s balance being impaired, your skin drying out, becoming thin, cracked, and more sensitive to irritation. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to bear in mind and what’s beneficial for your skin in cases of lipedema or lymphedema.
Skin problems caused by medical compression stockings?
If skin problems occur as part of edema treatment, compression stockings are often blamed – yet there is rarely an actual connection. Bauerfeind compression stockings, including the VenoTrain® curaflow, have been dermatologically tested, and are generally very well tolerated. Allergic reactions are therefore usually not triggered by the knitted fabric.
If you still notice reddening or feel any itching, different causes are possible: firstly, the mechanical strain triggered by friction from your compression stockings during movement can cause irritation in sensitive skin. Knitted fabric that doesn’t wick away moisture effectively also poses a risk. (But that should not happen with our VenoTrain curaflow compression because of its high microfiber content.) The skin simply drying out is actually a common problem for many patients.
Appropriate skin care helps
It’s therefore important to regularly use our care products, such as our VenoTrain lotion, after taking off your compression garment in the evening. They will provide your skin with sufficient moisture and maintain its natural protective film. Your strained skin can recover over night and it will stay smooth, which, in turn, will make donning and wearing the product more comfortable the next morning.
But please be careful: creams with ingredients such as perfume, preservatives, or carrier substances, have a certain allergy potential. You should therefore use products that contain few additives. Individual solutions, e.g. creams adapted to your personal needs, are available in pharmacies. However, if you can’t get your skin problems under control, your physician will help you.
Doing without your compression products because of skin irritation is certainly not the way forward.
Our tips for your care routine
In order to manage or prevent skin problems, you should pay particular attention to your skin care routine. After all, skin care is one of the five pillars of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) for good reason. We’ll explain what to bear in mind:
What type of skin care in cases of lipedema and lymphedema?
Our tip: the special Bauerfeind care foam for edema skin. It contains panthenol to protect and soothe particularly stressed and sensitive areas. If you use this foam in the morning, the process of putting on your compression stockings will also be much easier.
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The perfect accessories for all VenoTrain® products
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Hygienically clean: your compression product also needs special care
Whether stockings, arm sleeves, or thorax products – you should care for your VenoTrain products regularly and appropriately – also for the benefit of your skin. The fact is: compression stockings are worn directly on the skin. This means that not only dirt and dust particles but also flakes of skin and sweat bacteria stick to the knitted fabric. In principle, it’s the same as with any other stocking.
That’s why compression stockings should be changed daily and cleaned thoroughly before you wear them again.
Washing medical compression stockings correctly: here’s how
The easiest way to do this is to put them in the washing machine. Alternatively, if you don’t have laundry for a full load, you can also wash them by hand in a washbasin. However, never use fabric softener as this can compromise the medical effectiveness of your stockings. The VenoTrain special detergent is a much better choice, and it also has a pleasantly fresh scent. It cleans your stockings very gently and provides long-lasting and hygienic protection. By the way, one bottle will last easily for ten washing cycles. Speaking of washing cycles: if you wash your stockings in the washing machine, we recommend using the VenoTrain lingerie bag. The zipper bag made of durable and particularly fine-mesh material helps you sort your laundry and reliably protects your compression stockings from runs and loose threads.
Afterwards, it’s best to leave the compression stockings to air-dry. This will help maintain their effectiveness in the best possible way. Do not dry your stockings on a radiator or in a tumble dryer, and do not iron them if you want to enjoy your garment for as long as possible.
For hygiene reasons, we recommend you have one regular set and one replacement set. That means you can always wear fresh stockings when the other pair is in the wash.
Simone Berner
Lymphology Product Manager, Bauerfeind
The app for strong women with lipedema and lymphedema
A life with lymphedema demands a lot more from you than just wearing compression products and looking after your skin. Manual lymphatic drainage, regular exercise and effective self-management are also part of being able to deal with everyday life. With our curaflow app, we want to help you combat your lipedema or lymphedema. Find out more now!