Swelling, redness, fever

Mommyathome

hi ladies. My mom has lymph edema and lately it seems like every couple of months she gets an infection which causes her arm to swell, get red and blotchy, she gets nauseous with a fever. Her bs has her keep antibiotic at home so when this happens she can put herself on the antibiotic but we can't always determine WHY it happens. Have any of you dealt with this? She was at my daughters basketball game tonight, she drove an hour to watch her play and left in the middle of the game because she wasn't feeling well. She just called to tell me when she arrived home and took her " Sleeve" off she was red and blotchy- a true sign of infection for her and now her temp is 103! She started the antibiotic but now she's down for a few days. She was diagnosed about 6 years ago with invasive cancer and had a lumpectomy, radiation, chemo. She's been clear for quite some time.i was diagnosed with DCIS last year. I just don't understand y this flairs up ps like it does. Any advice, etc

glennie19

She drove an hour,,, could the driving have set it off? Any other activities during that day,, gardening, house cleaning?  Something irregular that could have set it off? Truly sucks that it flares like that.

SusanSnowFlake

Your mom may need to keep a log/journal of all activity, when her sleeve is laundered and chem exposure, soaps, shampoo, detergents etc. to find a commonality that corresponds with the flairs. Won't help now but might help in the future.  I hope she improves quickly!

SusanSnowFlake

want to add: humidity and heat/cold exposure. 

 

ksusan

Do you and your mom know about manual lymphedema drainage (MLD)? It might help--search for the term on this site for lots of info and links.

Mommyathome

thanks ladies! I'll speak with my mom about ur suggestions. She hD mosquito bites and thought that might have done it.

Binney4

Mommy, insect bites could certainly cause cellulitis in someone susceptible to it. Has she seen an Infectious Disease specialist? If not, it's time she find one familiar with lymphedema. Some of us have been helped considerably by maintaining a low-dose antibiotic regimen for a few months. A ID doctor should be able to help with solutions to the repeated infections.

If your mom has a lymphedema therapist she trusts, that might be another source of good suggestions. If she doesn't, here's how to find one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified...

As far as causes, often it really is impossible to figure out the immediate cause--very frustrating! If she doesn't see some prompt improvement from the oral antibiotics it's an emergency, and she needs to get to the ER for IV antibiotics. Here's information on coping with cellulitis:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...

Please give your mom our very best wishes for a quick recovery! Gentle hugs,
Binney

Mommyathome

thanks binney

Nordy

Okay, this may sound like the craziest thing -- but I use lemon essential oil on my arm, every single day. I have not had an incidence of cellulitis in over 2 years now... I know it is crazy but the lemon oil is supposed to have certain anti microbial properties. I would recommend a brand, but since you are using it topically, I don't know if it matters much. I do think that some of the better brands are: Mountain Rose, Native Nutritionals, DoTerra, Butterfly Express, Young Living and Be Young. She can run it by her doctor and he/she may just blow it off as snake oil, but I really believe it has kept my arm free of infection... Swelling, not so much but yes on the infection side of it.