If you have lymphedema, there’s a good chance that the swelling worsens in hot weather. That’s because high temperatures cause blood vessels to expand, leading to increased fluid leakage and swelling.
At Memphis Vein Center, Kishore K. Arcot, MD, FACC, treats the underlying vein problem, which can significantly improve lymphedema. There’s no cure for the condition or for the damaged lymph vessels, but we can help ease your symptoms and prevent complications.
Our team supports patients by providing lymphedema treatments and recommending steps you can take to avoid symptoms.
Here, we explain lymphedema, its causes, and how to prevent hot weather from irritating the condition and increasing the risk of complications such as infection.
The lymph system is an extensive network of lymph vessels and organs that help the immune system fight infections. The lymph vessels collect excess fluid from tissues and circulate the fluid through lymph nodes.
Lymphedema occurs when fluid leaks out of the lymph vessels and accumulates under the skin. Though lymphedema most often affects the arms and legs, the fluids can also accumulate in your face, neck, abdomen, breasts, and genitals.
At first, lymphedema resembles edema, but edema (also a fluid buildup) has different causes, ranging from pregnancy and prolonged sitting to heart and kidney disease. Edema is also typically temporary or acute, and the skin remains soft.
By comparison, lymphedema originates in the lymph system and is a chronic and progressive condition, so symptoms gradually worsen. Over time, lymphedema can cause hard, thickened skin, limited mobility, and recurrent infections.
Though rare, lymphedema may develop due to an inherited condition. It’s most often the result of an injury, infection, or condition that damages the lymph vessels, including:
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when damaged valves in your leg veins allow blood to build up in the vein.
The accumulation of blood causes varicose veins and increases the pressure in the leg veins. The pressure forces fluids out of the blood vessels.
While the lymph system may initially remove the excess fluids, the lymph vessels may eventually be overwhelmed and become damaged. Then, fluids leak from the lymph vessels, causing chronic lymphedema.
There’s no doubt that hot weather affects lymphedema. Patients also report that high humidity aggravates their lymphedema more than heat alone.
The heat makes blood vessels dilate, which increases fluid leakage. Since the lymph vessels are already damaged, the additional fluids cause:
We can help ease your discomfort with advanced lymphedema treatments and treating any underlying vascular conditions. But we also have some self-care tips to help you navigate the hot weather.
These self-care tips will reduce the impact of hot weather and help prevent heat-related lymphedema irritation:
If you don’t already have physical therapy, consider manual lymph drainage (MLD). MLD is a specialized type of therapeutic massage that enhances lymph drainage and reduces swelling.
Schedule an immediate appointment if you have any of the following:
These symptoms may be signs of an infection, or they may signal that the lymphedema is worsening. In both cases, immediate treatment is essential.
Call us at the Memphis Vein Center in Memphis, Tennessee, or request an appointment online to get expert care for lymphedema.
