Chronic oedema is an umbrella term for soft tissue swelling that has been present for at least three months, most commonly due to problems with the venous and lymphatic systems. This ‘made easy’ will focus on chronic oedema in the lower limb and will highlight the importance of early recognition of skin changes that may proceed or accompany chronic oedema. These changes may indicate early lymphovenous disease, which if not managed appropriately may lead to ongoing and deteriorating problems (Timmons and Bianchi, 2008). Timely and appropriate intervention, including skin care and compression therapy, can improve patient’s outcomes.