If a patient has wounds or signs of infection on the skin, what is the recommended course of action?

• A. Continue treating broken skin without changes.
• B. Increase pressure over wounds to reduce swelling.
• C. Use antiseptics during treatment to hide infection.
• D. Avoid treating broken skin and address infection first.

Answer: (D)

When there are wounds or signs of infection on the skin, you must prioritize infection control and wound care before performing Manual Lymph Drainage. MLD relies on intact skin to safely stimulate lymph flow; treating broken or infected skin can spread bacteria, delay healing, or worsen the infection. The best course is to avoid treating broken skin and address the infection first—clean and dress wounds as indicated and follow medical treatment. Once the skin has healed and the infection is resolved, MLD can be started again safely. Increasing pressure over wounds or using antiseptics during therapy to hide infection could cause harm or mask a serious process, so they are not appropriate.