Treating lymphoedema
The type of lymphoedema treatment you have depends on how much swelling you have and which part of your body it affects. Other important factors are your medical history and your mobility.
The main treatments for lymphoedema are:
skin care - keeping the skin in the swollen area clean, dry and moisturised and preventing injury and infection
exercise - to keep lymph flowing through the lymphatic system and help you to maintain a healthy weight
reducing and controlling the swelling - this can include compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
Mild lymphoedema means there is slight swelling in the area. Your lymphoedema specialist will explain how to look after your skin. They will also show you any exercises you need to do. Depending on where you have lymphoedema, they might also suggest a compression garment.
More severe lymphoedema usually needs specialised treatment. This is called intensive treatment. It could include multi-layered bandaging to reduce the swelling. You might have it with or without a type of massage called manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). The MLD helps the lymph fluid to drain away from the swollen area.
This intensive treatment usually lasts for a few weeks. Once the swelling has gone down, you wear a compression garment to help keep the swelling under control. Your specialist might also teach you how to bandage yourself.
The treatment you need will depend on where the lymphoedema is.
The main treatments are:
specialised skin massage called manual lymphatic drainage
exercise
skin care
The head and neck area can be a difficult area to apply compression that is also comfortable. But there are compression garments available. These may be made to measure. Your specialist will show you the correct way to wear them.
You shouldn't wear anything around your neck.
Your lymphoedema specialist will teach you exercises for your head and neck.
Depending on the amount of swelling, you might be able to wear compression garments. A good supportive bra can help with breast swelling. Or a supportive vest can help with chest and trunk swelling. For more severe lymphoedema you might need manual lymphatic drainage. You wear a compression garment once the swelling is under control.
Shapewear or compression pants (cycling pants) can help with genital swelling. Some people might also have manual lymphatic drainage.
Your lymphoedema specialist might also use special tape to help the lymph fluid to drain. Or you might have bandaging if you have severe lymphoedema.
The aim of treatment is to reduce and control the swelling as much as possible so that you can get on with your life as normal.
You wear a compression garment to manage the lymphoedema. You might also have bandaging with or without manual lymphatic drainage to reduce the swelling. Then you'll need to wear a compression garment to keep the swelling down.
Your lymphoedema specialist might also use special tape to help the lymph fluid to drain.
Last reviewed: 25 Apr 2023
Next review due: 25 Apr 2026
Caring for your skin is important when you have swelling (lymphoedema). There are several things you can do to protect your skin.
You can have compression treatment for swelling (lymphoedema) in different ways, depending on where the swelling is.
You can have a special type of skin massage to reduce swelling from lymphoedema. It’s called manual lymphatic drainage or MLD.
It's important to exercise to help manage a build up of lymph fluid (lymphoedema). They can help you to keep a full range of movement and make you feel better.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
