Lymphoedema

[237SJ]

Can lymphoedema leak through the skin (without any break in the skin)?

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"Other symptoms in an affected body part can include . . . a leakage of fluid through the skin"

Source:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lymphoedema/pages/symptoms.aspx

[Sqad]

No, that would be extremely unusual as lymphedoema is "trapped" and has no escape route, unless the skin barrier is breached....e.g by an infection or a cut.

[237SJ]

Thanks for the replies and link. Sqad - my mum has lymphoedema in her arm where her lymph nodes were removed. It isn`t severe but it has leaked fluid in the past when she has had a cut or insect bite there (I`m aware of the infection risk). Her sleeve was wet this morning and it`s now that we have noticed that it`s coming from her skin. Since I posted this, she remembers that she "might have" pricked her skin against a pyrocantha plant this morning (now she tells me). There is the minutest prick there (the benefit of being short sighted is that without lenses or glasses, I can see things really close up that other people couldn`t focus on) that is almost invisible. I`ve nagged her about getting a lymphoedema sleeve but will she listen? I`ll keep an eye on and make sure there is no sign of infection. Thanks again.

[Sqad]

O.K 237....... Watch out for any infection.....pain, rErnest or discharge.

[Sqad]

LOL..redness.

[chilli]

ive had lymphoedema for years and haven't had any problem with leaking through the skin. I do wear sleeve most of the time as whenever I bend my arm the elastic sleeve pushes the lympth fluid up the arm so it can drain away. this stops the arm from swelling
ive had cellulitis in the arm, which can be a problem if you have lymphedema. This is when a scratch can cause infection, you notice it when you can see red spider veins under the skin, and they spread up the arm over a few hours. If this happens then I have to have a course of antibiotics as soon as possible.
Any signs of this, she should go to the doctors, and keep nagging about the sleeve