How To Apply Lymphedema Bandages
Tear off masking tape and stick to side of table (about 3-5 small and 2 long)
Apply lotion to your arm first
Then apply the white stockinette
White finger bandages
- Drape it loosly around your wrist and make one rotation around ending on the back of your hand.
- Bring it over toward the fingernail edge of your little finger.
- Begin wrapping the bandage around your little finger covering 50% from the fingernail cuticle to the base
- Once at the base of the finger bring it around the top of your hand toward the wrist, around the wrist and back over the top of the hand.
- Continue this through each finger. In this order thumb, ring, middle and index.
- It will take two sets of white finger bandages to do all your fingers.
White foam is next
- Grab the white foam. Place it in your lap with the edge of the foam facing the arm to be bandaged and the thumbhole laying flat on your lap.
- Stick your thumb in the hole so that you poke your leg. Then wrap the foam over the top of the back of you hand (only a small half-piece of foam should be in your palm).
- Finish wrapping the foam up your arm overlapping 50% all the way up
(It should go up your arm passed your elbow if it doesn’t make it, spread it out more) - Dog-ear the foam at the top to keep it in place.
Brown bandages
- Place the edge of the first (smallest) roll facing away from you at your wrist. Use your body to keep the foam on your wrist as you wrap it around 1-2 times to secure the bandage
- Start to bring the bandage up to the back of your hand pull it toward the palm of your hand making it go between your thumb and index finger.
- Wrap it around the back of your hand and down toward your wrist.
- Go back up to the top of your hand
(Repeat steps 2-4 until you have 3 total wraps around your hand) - Then finish off the roll up your arm (should end before the elbow). Secure it with a piece of masking tape.
- Place the second bandage at your wrist (you can secure it with a piece of tape) and roll it up your arm covering 50%. Place a piece of tape to secure it at the top.
- Place the third and largest roll at your forearm (you can secure it with a piece of tape) and roll it up your arm covering 50% secure with two pieces of tape at the top.
Bandage washing instructions
Wash your bandages at least every 2-3 days. Wash them in a garment bag to prevent tangling. Some of the bandages can be washed in the washing machine while others need hand washing.
Brown Bandages: Place your bandages in a garment bag or pillow case to wash them. Place them in the washer with regular detergent (do NOT use bleach or woolite). Once washed you can place them in the dryer on a low heat setting.
White foam: This can be washed by hand or in the washing machine. If washed in the machine, place in a garment bag to prevent tearing. (Do NOT use bleach or woolite). Air dry or place in the dryer on a VERY LOW heat setting for 15-60 seconds checking each time. You don’t want it to melt!
White stockinette and white finger bandages: Wash these by hand and air dry.