Have been traveling inIsrael these last 8 days. All was well with wearing my sleeve and glove up until yesterday. I put on my sleeve and glove as usual in the morning after mild. A couple of hours later while touring my sleeve felt so tight and my arm felt hot. I began feeling like I had a fever and chills. Finally got to go back to the hotel after 8 hours and took off my sleeve and my arm was beet red, swollen and painful. I took ibuprofen and went to bed to sleep. After resting nothing had improved. Because of the time change here and the states i decided to start antibiotic. So, after this whole explanation, my question is how to proceed. We are leaving for home today and it will be a 15 hour flight. The way my arm looks and feels now I don’t think I can get a sleeve on it. I have no clue why this has happened. Any thoughts!
Cellulitis : Have been traveling inIsrael these last... - LSN
Cellulitis
Sounds like cellulitis. There often is no explanation! Keep taking the antibiotics and the minute you land, get further supplies from your MD.
Are you able to rest somewhere cool before you start travelling? Can you elevate the arm - even resting your hand on your head, or on a wall, may help with swelling. Keep the arm cool by using cold wet towels. You may not get the sleeve on, but don’t worry - just keep the arm cool on the flight - aim the a/c at it when you are in your seat. Elevate it as much as you can (but avoid the Call Button!!!)
Drink water. Dab some of the water on the arm - if you are wearing a blouse, let the sleeve get wet - it will help keep the skin cool.
Hi lynora, why avoid the call button?
Because it’s usually right above your head and if you are trying to stretch and exercise, it is so easy to knock it & summon the cabin crew!!!! I know - I was that pain in the bum passenger..... ‘oh sorry, did I do it again????’!!!
Thank you Lynora!
Hi califgirl - that sounds scary, and I'm glad you had ( or got?) antibiotics. I've only once had a small case of cellulitis, and it was unrelated to my lymphodema - plus didn't have these symptoms. I probably would've freaked out had this happened to me overseas and shortly before a long flight! Lynora's advice sounds great, and I hope you can do some of these things and not get worse during the flight. Maybe you could get a ziploc bag and ask for ice on the plane? Good luck, and safe travels! Hope your trip was great otherwise.
Thank you!
Hope you got back to Cali and are resting. Get more antibiotics as soon as you’re home - take for a minimum of 2 weeks even if the redness/heat has disappeared. The infection can go dormant and appear gone but isn’t, hence the 2 full week protocol for a LE limb with Cellulitis. Take care
Thank you! Redness has subsided but still painful to touch. Didn’t know to take antibiotic for at least 2 weeks. Got back this morning. Bit of a pain traveling, but, all went well. Seeing Dr. first thing Friday morning.
Good to hear you’re home and the infection is responding to oral AB. Here is the link to the medical consensus document for LE Cellulitis protocol. Most doctors are unaware of the protocol or that this consensus document exists.
Most ABs are prescribed for 7 days but for us lymphies it needs to be 14 as we’re much more vulnerable to the infection lingering than non-lymphies
(blymphoedema.org/images/pdf/...
Thanks again🙂
When I've been diagnosed with cellulitis (right leg) while in the UK I've been given antibiotics and told to go home and rest in bed. When I've had cellulitis while abroad (France and Australia) I've ended up being hospitalised though I won't say me condition was any worse than when I'd had it in the UK so with the right antibiotics should be OK if you follow Lynora's advice, provided you can manage the flight(s) and transfers. However if you have decent travel insurance it will cover you should you need to change your flight. I recommend you contact your travel insurance company and see what they say.
Thank you.
Califgirl2008, Check to see if you have been bitten. Return home as fast as you can and get to your nearest hospital specialising in infections caused by bites.
Thank you!
It’s been since March 13 that I started my antibiotics all seemed to go well then this past Thursday evening I started getting chills, fever, shaking, sweating and headaches. I’ve been staying in bed and have no appetite . This morning my face is red and splotches as well as my arm. I’m still on antibiotics for a few more days. Boy do I feel terrible. Should I go back to same GP doctor or just go straight to hospital!
Hi. Have had this before I knew I had Lymphoedema...it happened in Italy more than one holiday!! Could have been a tiny scratch, or an insect bite that otherwise didn't give you any bother....I went to Israel two years with a Christian tour...it was brilliant!! so glad that you could continue your tour.
Incidentally, I trust you have disclosed lymphoedema on your travel insurance as a pre existing condition. I have a number of conditions (unrelated) and always ring up when I renew each year to make sure they are all listed. Yes! I have to pay extra premium but cheaper than needing hospitalisation and the insurer refusing to pay because I had not disclosed!!
Good to know. I will do that next time! Thank you.
Anyone applied for ill Health Retirement due to Lymphodema?
New fitted lymphodema glove.
Cellulitis 
New to lymphoedema, confused about conflicting advice!
