September 13 is observed as Sepsis Awareness Day. This initiative aims to raise public awareness about sepsis and promote understanding of its relationship to conditions such as lymphedema, lipedema, and chronic venous insufficiency. General knowledge about these diseases remains limited, so many people are unaware of the risks and complications associated with infections. Read about risks of infectious cellulitis in lymphedema HERE.
Skin changes, such as rough, wart-like skin, venous eczema, and fibrosis, can serve as entry points for microorganisms. Furthermore, lymphatic and venous stasis can promote bacterial proliferation and hinder the elimination of bacteria and toxins. The resulting infectious cellulitis, in turn, can further damage the lymphatic and venous systems. For this reason, one of the fundamental goals of treating lymphedema, lipedema, and venous insufficiency is to break this vicious cycle. In this context, the treatment of chronic edema is widely recognized as an adjunct to antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with recurrent cellulitis.
Several studies have shown that adequate control of edema is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of skin infections. Furthermore, the available evidence supports the use of compression garments as an essential intervention to control swelling and prevent disease progression.
It has been observed that the use of compression therapy reduces the incidence of infectious cellulitis and, consequently, the healthcare costs associated with hospitalization and intensive care. Preventing this complication requires a multidisciplinary approach, and evidence suggests that Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) can reduce its frequency. In the absence of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of lymphedema, lipedema, and chronic venous insufficiency, skin complications such as cellulitis can progress to a bacterial infection that spreads to the bloodstream and lead to very serious complications, such as bacteremia and sepsis.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Lymphedema, Lipedema, and Chronic Venous Insufficiency are serious chronic and progressive diseases due to an organic disability. Their clinical management is neither a cosmetic nor an aesthetic treatment. The treatment of lymphedema, Lipedema, and Chronic Venous Insufficiency is to control their progression and alleviate the symptoms.
To prevent and avoid serious complications associated with the treatment of lymphedema, such as the possible displacement of edema to previously unaffected areas when compression therapy is applied for volume reduction, patients should use highly specialized and experienced therapists.
Professional qualification and instruction delivered remotely online are not the same as live hands-on practical instruction in the clinical training and certification of lymphedema therapists, similar to all other rehabilitation, medical, and surgical training programs, and especially for developing the necessary manual skills to treat a disease as complex as lymphedema.
Patients should also take special care when choosing a "Multidisciplinary Center of Reference ", as not all countries and centers provide the same treatment options. The best choice is a center of reference that provides “Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)”, which is recognized as the “Gold Standard” conservative treatment.
REFERENCES
(Click on the texts to read the research articles)
VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY (StatPearls)
Modulation of Immunity by Lymphatic Dysfunction in Lymphedema
Vascular Changes and their implication in Lipedema
Deep Venous Thrombosis and Risk of Consequent Sepsis Event
