Cellulitis prevention and wearing compression garments?

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Cori221
Cori221 Member Posts: 21
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I have a bite, most likely spider, in the pit of my lymphedema arm. I have what I call an allergic reaction to the bite which shows itself as a large, size of the palm of my hand welt which itches right above the bite.  It is pink not bright red. I do not have a fever, chills, or pain.  I woke up with this yesterday morning and called my Internist who had me fill my emergency prescription for Augmentin which I started yesterday afternoon. I emailed my LE therapist and we decided to stop massage, and not do my exercise DVD which has a lot of arm movements.  I did wear my day compression sleeve and glove until mid afternoon when my daughter wrapped me and could avoid the area by stopping a little shorter than usual.

I have recently gained really good control of my swelling (2.4% comparison to other arm. Earlier it had been 7.7% at it's lowest and 18.6% at it's highest) and don't want to risk increasing my swelling especially since like most of the country we are in the middle of a heat wave.  Since this looks like an allergic reaction and my treatment is to prevent Cellulitis I would like to wear my compression sleeve and glove today and my night sleeve tonight.  This morning although the welt was still there it hadn't grown and was a lighter pink.

I would appreciate thoughts about using compression during this time and also when I could continue massage and exercise.

Thanks so much,

Cori

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited July 2012

    Cori, the general rule is to avoid compression if you have an infection. But, you are preventing an infection and on augmentin and improving.

    what I did when I got a patch of cellulitis on my arm: I did wrap, but very lightly, and checked the area. Since it's in your arm pit and you can see it, I think a gentle wrap is fine.

    As for MLD: if you are getting better, you can start to resume it--the general rule is a day of antibiotics and/or clinical improvement.  

    I think it's okay to resume daytime/night time compression--but when in doubt, check in with your LE therapist.

    It's always something, but so good that you jumped on it.

    Kira

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  • Cori221
    Cori221 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2012

    Kira,

    Thanks so much for your reply.  We are all so blessed to have you  Binney and others take such good care of us.  It is so comforting to have this wonderful place to come to when we are so stressed out with worrying about what to do.

    Thanks again,

    Cori

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited July 2012

    Cori, Binney has single handedly helped us all out, and then we've learned to follow her model. I find this place invaluable.

    Hope the welt just disappears, very soon

    Kira

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