Check out our 'Top Tips'

You can find 'Top tips' on many areas that affect people with lymphoma in both our Top tips section on the website and also in our magazine, Lymphoma Matters. Our Top tips come from our Facebook community and are not intended to be medical advice, but are shared ideas. 

The latest issue of the magazine contained Top tips on managing night sweats, peripheral neuropathy and itch. Here is what our Facebook community said:

Managing night sweats

I had a big bath towel ready to lay on after the sweat, especially after the second time in one night and already having changed the bed clothes once. 

Dave

• My son always has a fan on at nighttime.
• I used a menopause 'chillow pillow' (or cooling pillow).
• I bought loads of vest tops and extra PJ bottoms as it was winter time and the sweats weren't hot, just very, very wet and cold. I had a pile of clean tops and vests to change into several times a night.
• A waterproof matrress cover is essential, and extra sheets for under and over.
• I used small microfibre towels to dry my face and hair. They can be used anyway once the sweats stop.

Buy a low tog duvet. That way you can add blankets if you get cold and then take them off when you get too hot. I was able to get a 1 tog duvet which helped me when I was getting the night sweats and it was summer.

Helen

Managing peripheral neuropathy

• I wore comfy gloves when my hands felt like they weren't mine!
• I wear gloves always as soon as outdoor temperatures dip below 18 centrigrade. I even wear gloves indoors if the temperature is low.
• Avoid walking around with bare feet as you won't necessarily feel potential sharp items on the floor that could cause injury.
• Natural fibre socks (such as bamboo or lambswool) are breathable which is better than synthetic materials. Some people wear compression socks (making sure that they are not so tight that they affect your circulation).
• I found Ugg (or other snuggly) boots with socks helped.
• My feet still bother me (but are getting better) so I keep them warm and invested in a posh pair of cashmere socks to wear at night.
• Wear lightweight (such as Heatgen from M&S) thermal underwear as soon as the temperatures drop (from Autumn through to Spring).
• I found paracetamol and a hot water bottle helpful.
• I keep active and walk most days. I find sitting about didn't help the neuropathy but walking seems to do something!
• I found exercising and strethcing daily improves associated compromised circulation.
• It's important to cover any wounds in the hands and feet with a clean dressing, and inspect and change the dressing regularly to avoid infection. Any signs of infection need prompt treatment.

Managing itch

• Keep cool and avoid perfumed products.
• Keep dry skin well moisturised. Recommended products include Aveeno itch relief, and those containing hemp oil and shea butter. Creams containing menthol can also be helpful.
• A recommended over-the-counter moisturiser is Eurax (Crotamiton) cream.
• Look for SLS-free (sodium lauryl sulphate) shower and bath products, or those with shea butter in.

This information comes from our Facebook community. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a replacement for advice from your medical team. 

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