Effects of lymphoedema

Lymphoedema can affect you in different ways. Your doctor or nurse from the hospital team will know your medical history. They are the best people to tell you if a problem you have is caused by lymphoedema or some other condition.

Lymphoedema may cause the following symptoms in the affected area:

• a feeling of fullness or heaviness
• tightness and stretching of the skin
• swelling
• reduced movement of the joints
• thickening and dryness of the skin
• discomfort and/or pain.

You may first realise you have swelling because clothing, shoes or jewellery (such as rings or watches) feel tighter than usual.

Occasionally, in more severe lymphoedema, the skin may become broken and the colourless lymph fluid can leak out onto the surface. This is known as lymphorrhoea (pronounced lim-for-ria). This happens when too much fluid builds up in the tissues or when the skin is damaged. However, it is important to remember that most people with lymphoedema only have mild symptoms.