How to Support Healing When Wounds Happen with Lymphedema

If you're dealing with lymphedema and have noticed wounds that aren’t healing the way they should — you're not alone. Wounds in lymphedematous areas can be stubborn, slow to close, and frustratingly easy to reinfect. That’s why it’s important to understand what’s happening and how to support your body through it.

As a Certified Lymphedema Therapist with over a decade of experience — including international training at the Földi Clinic in Germany — I’ve seen firsthand how these types of wounds behave, and how powerful the right care approach can be.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through a realistic, clinically informed game plan for supporting wound healing at home — and when to escalate for additional care.

Why Lymphedema Wounds Take Longer to Heal

Lymphedema disrupts your body’s ability to clear waste and fluid efficiently. That swelling can stretch and stress the skin — increasing the risk for small injuries, which may turn into larger wounds if unmanaged. Compromised lymph flow also means delayed healing and a higher risk of infection.

When skin breaks down in an area affected by lymphedema, the usual first-aid steps may not be enough.

Step 1: Catch It Early

Start by inspecting the skin daily — especially in areas with consistent swelling, skin folds, or friction (groin, ankles, between toes, under breasts, etc.). Look for:

• Redness

• Changes in skin texture

• Localized heat or swelling

• Clear or yellow drainage

If you catch changes early, you're more likely to stay ahead of complications.

Step 2: Gentle, Targeted Cleansing

Cleaning the area properly is key to avoiding infection and giving the wound the best chance to heal.

Here’s what we often recommend in our virtual coaching program:

• Hibiclens (chlorhexidine): A medical-grade antimicrobial skin cleanser that helps lower the bacterial load. Use cautiously and always follow up with a rinse of distilled or cooled boiled water to avoid residue.

• Vashe Wound Solution: A hypochlorous acid-based cleanser that’s gentle, pH-balanced, and ideal for fragile skin. Great for chronic wounds and daily maintenance without harshness.
  

We guide clients step-by-step on how to use these products safely — including proper rinsing, pat-drying, and protecting the skin barrier.

Step 3: Choose the Right Dressings

Wound dressings for lymphedema need to protect the area without sticking to it.

• Non-adherent dressings like Adaptic or Xeroform are great for delicate wounds.

• For drainage, add a layer of sterile gauze or an ABD pad to absorb excess fluid and keep the area dry.
  

Make sure to monitor for any odor, color change, or increased drainage — all signs it’s time to reach out to your care team.

Step 4: Secure It Without Restriction

Use rolled gauze or flexible wrap to gently secure the dressing. Avoid anything too tight — the goal is protection, not compression. We walk our clients through how to wrap safely without compromising lymph flow.

Step 5: Monitor and Know When to Get Help

Signs it’s time to escalate to a provider or wound care specialist:

• Worsening redness

• Foul odor

• Increasing pain

• Spreading warmth

• No progress after several days of good care

In our coaching program, we help clients determine when to manage at home and when it’s time to loop in a professional.

Personalized Wound Support Inside Our Program

Wound care is just one piece of the puzzle. At the Lymphatic Wellness Hub, we combine:

• Expert coaching

• Education on self-care habits

• Compression and skin integrity guidance

• Lymphatic-safe movement and nutrition strategies

…to help you feel more confident managing your condition, even when flare-ups or complications like wounds occur.

You don’t have to figure this out alone — and you shouldn’t have to wait until things get worse.

Final Thought

If you’re managing a wound and feeling unsure — trust your gut. Lymphedema wounds require a different kind of attention, and with the right support, healing is absolutely possible.

Want to learn more about how we support clients like you? Book a free 15-minute exploration call here »