Hi leece
Sorry for no reply from me yet, but the ole lymphedema has been being bad this week. Infact, I have a new huge draining area on my left leg (sound familiar?)
Bactrim is good to help prevent cellulitis. I take one a day and since I started taking I haven't had any cellulitis spells that required IV antibiotics or hospitalizations. They have been super mild and went away quickly. Before I started that, once I was on two IV antibiotics for months before we finally got rid of the infection.
Actually, I also use bay diaper ointment on leaky areas. It has zinc in it and zinc is a wonderful skin healing agent. It also will help prevent the fluid from getting on the skin surrounding the drippy spot. That is important as the fluid can be very bad for the skin - breaks it down.
BTW that fluid is called
Lymphorrhea - this page gives some info on it.
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite ... orrhea.htmSo, I would first put the ointment on/around the spot. Then I would cover that spot with some gauze squares and then my compression wraps over it. It is going to be important to try to hold down the swelling. As the swelling increases, it prevents the skin from coming together.
Be sure to keep th leg up when you are keeping it open to the air.
let us know how you do!!!!
Pat