September 2026 LES Actions for Engagement
Lymphorrhoea and Cellulitis: Protecting Skin, Managing Oedema and Reducing Risk
Lymphorrhoea and cellulitis are common and challenging complications of chronic oedema. Leaking lymph can quickly compromise skin integrity, increase discomfort and create difficulties with dressings, compression and daily self-management. At the same time, damaged or vulnerable skin can increase the risk of cellulitis, making early recognition and effective oedema management particularly important.
This month’s Actions for Engagement focuses on practical ways clinicians can strengthen the prevention and management of lymphorrhoea and cellulitis. The five actions encourage reflection, collaboration, evidence-informed practice, professional growth and clinical adaptation, with an emphasis on protecting the skin while addressing the underlying oedema.
Each action is designed to support small but meaningful changes that may help reduce leakage, protect vulnerable skin, recognise complications earlier and improve continuity of care.
Five Ideas. Practical Prompts. Use What Fits.
This month, we invite you to consider five practical actions that can strengthen care for people experiencing lymphorrhoea or at risk of cellulitis.
Reflection
Reflect on one patient with lymphorrhoea and consider what may be contributing to ongoing leakage or skin breakdown.
For example, persistent oedema, inadequate compression, fragile skin, difficulty changing dressings or limited capacity to manage treatment at home.
Collaboration
Clarify one part of the management plan with another health professional involved in the patient’s care.
For example, agreeing with the wound-care nurse on dressing choice, compression approach and which changes should trigger reassessment or medical review.
Evidence
Review one current resource on lymphorrhoea management or prevention of recurrent cellulitis in chronic oedema.
For example, identify one recommendation about compression, skin care or oedema control that could be applied to a patient in your practice.
Professional Growth
Strengthen one skill that helps you recognise deterioration or complications earlier.
For example, refining how you distinguish expected skin changes associated with chronic oedema from increasing redness, warmth, pain or systemic symptoms that may require medical assessment for cellulitis.
Clinical Practice
Review one patient’s current lymphorrhoea management and identify one practical adjustment that may better protect the skin while addressing the oedema.
For example, improving absorbency, protecting the surrounding skin and reviewing compression so that leakage is managed without losing sight of the underlying swelling.
These actions are not intended as a checklist. Select the prompt that is most relevant to your current practice, discuss it with colleagues, or use it as a starting point for team reflection.
Explore further by connecting these prompts with current evidence, patient feedback, clinical discussions and learning opportunities related to lymphorrhoea, cellulitis and chronic oedema management.
Check back monthly as new Actions for Engagement resources and practical prompts are added to support clinical practice.
A small change in assessment, communication or treatment can help protect vulnerable skin, reduce complications and improve care for people living with chronic oedema.
See it. Share it. Start a conversation.
Each image below highlights one of the September Actions for Engagement prompts. We invite you to share them with colleagues, display them within your workplace, use them as discussion starters during team meetings, or revisit them throughout the month as reminders of practical actions that can support safer, more coordinated care.
