How to Manage Your Lymphedema in Hot Weather | | Hot weather can make lymphedema symptoms more difficult to manage, with heat sometimes increasing swelling and discomfort. A few simple strategies — such as keeping your body cool, wearing breathable clothing, adjusting outdoor activities, and choosing refreshing foods with high water content — can help individuals with lymphedema stay more comfortable throughout the warmer months. | | |
Cool your body temperature
Stay hydrated by drinking cool fluids throughout the day to help regulate your body temperature. Cool showers, footbaths, cooling towels, fans, or misting sprays can provide quick relief from the heat. If you wear compression garments, consider breathable, moisture-wicking materials for greater comfort in warm weather.
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Modify outdoor activities
Avoid being outdoors during the hottest parts of the day — aim for early mornings or evenings when it's cooler. Consider moving your exercise indoors to an air-conditioned space, such as doing yoga or stretching, or choose swimming, which provides gentle compression and helps support lymphatic flow.
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Modify your clothing
Wear loose, light clothing to improve lymphatic flow and stay cool. Try cooling techniques like misting with water or chilling compression garments before donning. Avoid staying in damp garments for extended periods, as moisture against the skin may increase the risk of irritation, skin breakdown, or infection. If you are unsure about garment care or warm-weather compression options, speak with your lymphedema therapist, garment fitter, or health care provider.
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Eat smart
Incorporate foods such as cucumber, watermelon, coconut water, mint, and buttermilk into your diet to help manage body temperature during summer. Avoid salty foods which can cause you to retain fluid and increase swelling. Minimize diuretics like alcohol and coffee, which can dehydrate you, especially in the heat.
| | If you're unsure which of these tips are right for you, reach out to your health care team. They can help you tailor your summer routine to your individual needs, so you can manage your lymphedema with confidence all summer long. | | Lymphedema and Chronic Edema Management is a Microcredential course developed by the University of Alberta with the Canadian Lymphedema Framework. | | |
This microcredential course is designed as an introductory learning opportunity for health care professionals who may see individuals living with lymphedema or chronic edema.
The course provides learners with a comprehensive overview of the complex aspects of lymphedema and chronic edema and presents clinical management approaches for these conditions.
This course sets the framework for hands-on courses and clinical practice.
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Next Course Offering:
October 28 - December 5
| | | The CLF believes in strengthening connections across the lymphatic care community. In addition to CLF news, we are pleased to share important stories and noteworthy news, research updates, academic opportunities, and events shaping the lymphatic care landscape. Our emphasis is on Canadian initiatives, but we also feature items with international impact and relevance for our community. | | | | |
Lymphedema Association of Ontario:
Virtual Support Group
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Continuing Education Opportunities | | |
Lymphedema Association of Quebec (LAQ):
Lymphedema and Episodes of Cellulitis
This survey aims to collect information about:
- the frequency of cellulitis episodes,
- the symptoms experienced,
- the treatments received,
- related hospitalizations,
- the impact on lymphedema management and the financial burden for patients.
The insights gathered will play a vital role in informing efforts to strengthen lymphedema screening, improve access to timely and appropriate care, and advance the prevention of complications. Your participation is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change and help shape a more responsive and supportive system for the lymphedema community across Canada.
| | Explore Products & Services from Our Sponsors | | The Canadian Lymphedema Framework gratefully acknowledges the support of our industry sponsors. Their contributions help make our work possible and support education, awareness, and connection across the lymphedema community. We invite you to visit them online to learn more about their lymphedema products and services. Click any logo below to go directly to their website. | | ©2026 Canadian Lymphedema Framework | Website | | | | |
