Compression stockings are tight-fitting socks that provide gradient pressure up the legs. They facilitate recuperation following exhausting days spent on your feet, enhance circulation, and increase blood flow to prevent edema or blood clots. Your compression socks will have relieved your swelling ankles and legs whether you’re a runner, hiker, or just someone who walks a lot in your day work. But there are some concerns or risks related to it. In this write-up, we will discuss the side effects of wearing compression stockings and how to wear them.
Side Effects Of Wearing Compression Stockings
1. Skin Irritation
The tight, constricting pressure of compression stockings can rub and chafe the skin, resulting in itching, blisters, ulcers and open sores. This friction damage is especially common over bony prominences like the ankles and shins where the pressure is greatest. Using stockings with built-in cotton liners and proper sizing can help minimise skin irritation.
2. Tingling And Numbness
Numbness is one of the most common side effects of wearing compression stockings. Wearing stockings that are too tight for the individual can exert excessive pressure on the legs, compressing nerves and surface blood vessels. This disruption in circulation causes an uncomfortable tingling or numb sensation, usually in the feet and calves. Ignoring the warning signs can progress to severe nerve damage and loss of limb function.
3. Leg Swelling
Putting on compression stockings too early in the morning before the night’s accumulated leg swelling has subsided can actually increase fluid buildup and swelling. It is best to wait until mid-morning when leg edema has decreased overnight. Wearing the stockings all day keeps new swelling at bay.
4. Restricted Blood Flow
Next in our list of side effects of wearing compression stockings is restricted blood flow. Improperly fitted stockings, or those with too much pressure for the person can overly constrict blood circulation in the legs. This causes a feeling of heaviness and pain, visible skin discoloration, leg cramps, blood clots and long-term venous insufficiency.
5. Leg Stiffness And Discomfort
Excessive compression from overly tight stockings can create substantial resistance against leg muscle expansion, making walking, exercising or other activities very difficult and uncomfortable. The leg muscles may feel stiff, heavy and cramped, limiting mobility.
6. Yeast And Fungal Infections
The hot, dark, compressed environment inside compression stockings is the ideal breeding ground for fungal and yeast infections like jock itch and athlete’s foot. The skin should be monitored for any signs of infection, which can then spread to the nails and toes if left untreated.
How to Wear Compression Stockings?
Now that you know the side effects of wearing compression stockings, let’s have a look at how to wear it properly.
- Check Fit: Ensure you have the right size stockings as prescribed by your doctor. The fit should be moderately strong, not too tight. Check for any defects and that graduated compression decreases from ankle to thigh.
- Clean Leg: Wash and thoroughly dry your legs before wearing the stockings. Do not apply lotions or powders which can affect the stockings’ grip. Clip toenails to avoid tears.
- Gather Stocking: Turn the stocking inside out up to the heel pouch. Hold the gathered stocking in one hand. Sit comfortably with your leg extended and relaxed.
- Insert Foot: Using both hands, gently pull open the heel pouch of the stocking and insert your foot all the way in, ensuring your heel reaches the back of the pouch. Do not twist or pinch the stocking.
- Roll Upwards: Now begin rolling the stocking upwards from the ankle. Use your thumbs on each side to smoothly roll up the material onto your calf. Apply the pressure gradient as recommended, avoiding folds and wrinkles.
- Continue Rolling: Continue rolling the stocking up over your knee toward the thigh, adjusting the material as you go. For thigh-high stockings, use the grip top to pull them fully up and ensure the compression band rests 2-3 cm below the crease behind your knee.
- Check Circulation: Once applied, examine the stocking for any twisting and check for discoloration or altered temperature in the feet and toes which may indicate circulation issues. Adjust and reapply if needed.
- Apply Other Stocking: Repeat the same steps carefully for the other leg’s stocking. Make any fit adjustments needed. The level of compression should feel firm but not painful or dizzying.
Conclusion
Knowing the potential side effects of wearing compression stockings allows you to spot the problems early to get treated. As long as your compression socks are well-fitting, comfy, and constructed of materials that are high-quality, long-lasting, and encourage blood flow. But you need to contact your doctor about any compression stocking concerns if you experience any symptom.
