Summer Lymphedema Hazards

Being outdoors in the summer can pose more problems than just overheating. Sunburn, prickly heat rashes, and insect bites and stings are also potential problems.

An insect repellent is a good idea but some of the more effective ones contain DEET, which you may not want to have on your skin. Health food stores will have natural repellents, usually with citronella as the active ingredient, and these can be less detrimental to your skin. However, you should avoid putting insect repellent on your skin and then wearing a compression garment over it. That may cause skin reactions and can also damage the fabric of your garment.

No matter which repellent you use, some insect bites probably are inevitable. Be prepared to treat them immediately to lessen the histamine effect, which can cause increased swelling in that area. Benadryl or hydrocortisone creams are two treatment options for insect bites. An ointment with aluminum sulfate as the active ingredient can also help decrease the effects of bites and stings. Treat an insect bite like any break in the skin on your limb at risk. Wash and dry the area completely and apply antibiotic cream to the area.

If you are going camping or hiking, be sure to take along a specialized first aid kit. The kit should include alcohol wipes to clean off any skin break, antibiotic cream for application on the skin, and bandages to protect the area. If your doctor agrees, you may also include antibiotics in your kit so that you can then start on a course of antibiotics without delay if your limb should become infected (hot, red, swollen, and/or painful) while you are away from home.

Wear clothing that will protect you from accidental scratches, poison ivy, etc. If you have leg lymphedema, be especially careful to wear shoes that fit well and will not blister your feet. If you have arm lymphedema, be careful not to carry heavy backpacks or other heavy loads.

Avoid excessive exposure to the sun, not only because of the possibility of overheating, but because sunburn will place an extra burden on your lymphatic system and can damage your superficial lymphatics. Skin that has been radiated may remain sensitive to the sun long after radiation treatment has ended. Also bear in mind that you can sometimes get a sunburn even when wearing a compression garment. If your limb is going to be exposed to the sun (for example when you are swimming and do not have your compression garment on) be sure to use a sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) of 20-30+. And if you are going in water, wear the waterproof kind.

Using natural remedies to treat cancer patients with nausea

If you or a loved one is battling cancer, you know how debilitating a bout of nausea can be. Nausea, in fact, is one of the most common complaints of cancer patients, with up to 70 percent saying they experience it at some point during treatment or prior to it.

Here are some natural nausea remedies:
Ginger: Along with taming nausea, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can help your immune system.

Aromatherpy: Lavender is calming and peppermint is cooling. These scents and others may help stop spasms in your gastrointestinal tract or override feelings of nausea.

Diet: Eating small meals throughout the day is a good strategy to try to prevent nausea. With small, frequent meals, the stomach stays active and it’s less likely you’ll experience nausea.

Lymphedema Treatment Act Update

We have 3 new co-sponsors bringing our total to 68: Smith (R-NJ-4), Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-1) and Farr (D-CA-20).

If your Representative is not a co-sponsor yet, please use the advice in the Lymphedema Treatment Act Advocacy Handbook to make it happen.

http://lymphedematreatmentact.org/advocacy-handbook/

Cool Lymphedema Garments

This is a great example of how our Lymphediva line of compression garments make our clients feel great!

"Being treated for cancer is very reactionary. Cancer patients are constantly chasing the disease or the symptoms that come along with treatment. I have learned a lot from Kristen and her team and they have helped me better understand signs of worsening lymphedema and have helped me with the tools to prevent lymphedema. I have learned that I can still engage in fun adventurous activities as long as I take the appropriate precautions.

Lymphediva sleeves have allowed me to express my personality, while remaining active. The face of cancer is changing and with more young women being diagnosed with and treated for cancer the industry that supports them also must change, lymphedivas is doing that." - Nancy Jordan

American Hair Loss Council

As a pioneer in the hair loss industry, Ricky was recently quoted as the best of the best in the American Hair Loss Council's quarterly magazine in an article about working to combat women's hair loss, "Working with female clients has proven to be a great opportunity for Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness. Every time we help a female client, I feel very gratified by seeing the amazing transformation hair creates in a woman's life. Many of our female clients have been with us for years and I find them to be particularly loyal. Women also share their experiences with other women and it is not uncommon for us to have a strong referral stream from our female client base. All in all I am very happy with our expanded clientele and I find it very rewarding for me as a caring hair replacement professional."

New Clinical Trial By US Oncology Research Tests Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss Therapy

US Oncology Research, one of the leading community-based cancer research networks in America based in The Woodlands, Texas, and Baylor College of Medicine, have launched a clinical trial titled “Scalp Cooling Alopecia Prevention Trial” (SCALP), which will examine an existing scalp cooling system aiming to critically reduce or completely stop chemotherapy-related hair loss, which occurs in about 65% of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and is one of the most disturbing and stressful factors in cancer patient care.

So far, a total of 15 patients have registered and approximately 50 more are being recruited at three US Oncology Research sites: Texas Oncology-Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas, led by Cynthia Osborne, M.D.; Texas Oncology-Memorial City, Houston, Texas, led by Frankie Ann Holmes, M.D., and Hematology-Oncology Associates of Northern New Jersey, P.A., Morristown, N.J., led by Steven Papish, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Newly diagnosed female patients (18 years or older) with stage 1-2 breast cancer planning to undergo at least 4 cycles of full-dose anthracycline or taxane neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy are encouraged to contact one of these three participating centers for more information.

Here is the link for the trial and contact information for recruiting:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01986140

Special swimsuit for women after a mastectomy

Going on a vacation soon after a mastectomy and dreading the thought of wearing a swimsuit?

No need to worry as there is the right swimwear for you. We carry a beautiful and flattering swimwear line designed to make you look just as gorgeous as you were before surgery.

Our specialized swimwear come in a variety of sizes and styles including bikinis, tankinis and one-pieces to help you pull together an ultra-chic look.  Swimsuits are styled to accommodate breast forms and cut so that you don't have to worry about any visible scarring.

Our BOC/ABC certified mastectomy wear fitters can help you find the right swimwear to get you back confidently lounging at the beach or pool!  Call 713-623-4247 to set up a free consultation.