What to do if your lymph nodes are still swollen

The lymphatic system is the human body's immune system and an important defense system against foreign bacteria and viruses. When resisting external invasion, it will also cause a certain impact on the lymphatic system, making it easy to form lymph nodes. This is also a manifestation of anti-inflammatory, which may cause the lymph nodes to continue to swell. As long as the swollen lymph nodes do not grow particularly fast, there is no need to worry too much.

Acute lymphedema is mainly treated with non-surgical methods. 1. Postural drainage: The drooping state of the limb aggravates the retention of lymph in the tissue space. Raising the affected limb 30 to 40 cm and using gravity can promote the return of lymph and reduce edema. This method is not simple and effective, but the effect is not long-lasting, and the drooping edema of the affected limb worsens again. 2. On the basis of postural drainage, apply pressure bandage with elastic stockings or elastic bandage at the finger height of the affected limb to squeeze the tissue gap and assist lymphatic return. The elastic bandage should be of appropriate tightness. Intermittent compression pumps can also be used multiple times and for a long time, which has a certain effect on improving edema.

3. Limit sodium salt intake and use diuretics. In the acute phase, sodium chloride intake should be appropriately limited, generally 1 to 2 g/d, to reduce tissue sodium and water retention. At the same time, use appropriate amounts of diuretics to speed up the excretion of water and sodium. You can use hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg each time, 3 times a day, and take appropriate potassium supplements. Stop taking it after the condition stabilizes. 4. To prevent infection, using antifungal ointments and powders and keeping the toes dry are the most effective ways to prevent and control fungal infections. Bacterial infections under the nail beds are also common, so you should trim your nails frequently, remove dirt, and reduce the pathways for bacterial invasion. When streptococcal infection causes systemic symptoms, drugs such as penicillin should be used, combined with bed rest, to actively control the infection. In the late stage of lymphedema complicated by skin cracks, ointment can be applied externally to protect and lubricate the skin.

Chronic lymphedema includes non-surgical bandage therapy and various surgical treatments. 1. Baking and stretching therapy Baking and stretching therapy is a treatment method that explores the medical heritage of the motherland. The treatment principle is to use continuous radiant heat to dilate the blood vessels in the skin of the affected limb, causing profuse sweating, and return the fluid in the local tissue gaps to the blood, thereby improving lymphatic circulation. For patients with lymphedema who have not yet developed severe hyperplasia of the limb skin, baking bandage therapy can be used. There are two methods: electric radiant heat treatment and oven heating. The temperature is controlled at 80-100℃, once a day, each time for 1 hour, and 20 times as a course of treatment. Each course of treatment is separated by 1 to 2 weeks. After each treatment, an elastic bandage should be applied. According to clinical observation, after 1 to 2 courses of treatment, the tissues of the affected limbs become soft and the limbs gradually shrink. In particular, the number of erysipelas-like attacks is greatly reduced or stops.