Moisturizing Lotion

mthomp2020
mthomp2020 Member Posts: 1,959
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Have a question for all you LE experts.  It looks like I've developed lymphadema in my right leg from radiation to my hip.  I have an appt. with a therapist next Tuesday for evaluation, so I don't have all the info yet.  I've read that it's important to use low PH moisturizer.  Can anyone here recommend any brands that are low PH?  I'd like to start using it now, as the skin on my leg is getting pretty dry, and the swelling is stretching the skin quite a bit.

Ironic that my arm has never given me a bit of trouble.  I've had a right side mx with 5 lymph nodes removed, but no radiation, as I was stage IV at the get-go.  I'm now very glad that I didn't have radiation.  That would really have been too much to deal with LE in both an arm and a leg!

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  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited September 2011

    mthomp--I use Curel.  I have also used Eucerin.  My therapist said whatever I used to make sure the first ingredient is water.  I am sure some others will weigh in.  Becky

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  • mthomp2020
    mthomp2020 Member Posts: 1,959
    edited September 2011

    Thanks for the info. 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited September 2011

    Marsha, I use vanicream--they sell it at Walgreens, it has no fragrance or parabens.

    http://psico.com/

    Some people use eucerin--but it has lanolin in it, so I avoided it.

    Kira 

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited September 2011

    I also use the vanicream.  I had an allergic reaction to eucerin after my radiation treatments.  We believe it was the lanolin in it.  love how your skin becomes sensitive after radiation.  

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  • Sherry9316
    Sherry9316 Member Posts: 294
    edited September 2011

    My LE therapist said to use baby lotion because it restores the skin's natual ph.

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  • ALittleBitBritish
    ALittleBitBritish Member Posts: 627
    edited September 2011

    My LE therapist said Juvaderm or Eucerin fragrance free, so I prefer Eucerin I massage my arm each day with it and it absorbs quickly into the skin.

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited September 2011

    I've wondered about the low-pH thing too.  I see nobody has specifically responded about that part.

    I use something called "Tortuga" lotion, made by Keyes pharmaceuticals.  It smells strongly of citrus, has a lot of citrus in it.  It works very well, but the reason I chose it is that it did really well in Environemental Working Group ratings.  I eat only organic if possible, I don't use household cleaners other than vinegar and soap, I don't use insecticides or herbicides - I'm just trying really hard to limit my exposure to all this artificial stuff in my home environment.  So I'm certainly going to try to limit my exposure to unknown "stuff" through my skin.

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  • FLwarrior
    FLwarrior Member Posts: 977
    edited September 2011

    Where did you buy the Tortuga lotion?

    I am also trying to limit exposure to all of the known toxins.  Have you found a shampoo that is good on the list and that you like?

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  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited September 2011

    I tried eucerine, curel and lubraderm, but prefer bioran's calendula cream -- it absorbs quickly, isn't greasy, and doesn't cause little bumps.  Here's a link:

    http://www.vitacost.com/Boiron-Calendula-Cream

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited September 2011

    FLwarrior: I googled Tortuga lotion, and you can buy it from the manufacturer or on Amazon

    http://www.amazon.com/Keys-Tortuga-Super-Emmollient-Lotion/dp/B003GLPHDU 

    Kira 

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited September 2011

    Kira beat me to it  I get it on line from Keyes.

    I have gotten several EWG well-rated shampoos and they all seem to work fine.  Really, it doesn't seem to matter what I wash my hair with since the chemopause and hormonal treatment has totally dried me out.  I can rinse the day's accumulation of debris off my head with plain water most evenings and end up the same.  So I'm probably not the best judge of shampoos. 

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited September 2011

    My LE PT said to use any cream that has the first ingredient listed as water (some say aqua, they like to be fancy). There is one she usually recommends but it has almond oil in it so since I'm allergic to nuts I can't use it (don't remember the name of it). The best ones I've found are the Ahava products. I know they are imported to the States though I think they're pricey there - my sister stocks up on Ahava stuff when she visits since it's cheaper here!

    Best of luck.

    Leah

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  • inspiewriter
    inspiewriter Member Posts: 876
    edited September 2011

    I sometimes use a lotion called Lymphoderm, it moisturizes and also repels insects.

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