Improved Treatment Protocol for Moisture Damaged Skin Due to Weeping Lymphorrhea with Bacterial Colonization

Clinical Problem

Moisture associated skin damage is a challenging  referral for WOCN therapists.^1,2,3 When lymphorrhea from massive lymphedema is the source of  moisture damage, management of the inflamed, colonized wet limb becomes impossibly challenging with traditional protocols.

Current Clinical Approach

WOCN  treatment protocols for management of  wet leg that utilize fuzzy wale elastic compression textile have delivered dramatic healing results, drying up lymphorrhea, clearing bacterial overgrowth, and clearing of dermatitis.^4,5 Therapeutic contact layers, including activated carbon cloth** and rayon coated with hydrophobic DACC polymer***, in tandem with fuzzy wale compression, appears to be helpful in clearing dermatitis.

Results

Photographs document treatment details and outcomes in four difficult cases. All lymphorrhea stopped, all dermatitis cleared and all wounds healed. Lymphatic hypertension, evidenced by  lymphorrhea, cleared by day 14.  

Conclusions

Treatment protocols for lymphorrhea and  wet leg that utilize fuzzy wale elastic compression textile deliver dramatic healing  results.