Compression Socks Women – (with Pics!)

What socks help swollen feet, ankles, and legs?

If you have ever had swollen feet or ankles, then you already know how inconvenient and painful it can be.

Everyone occasionally suffers from swollen legs- it is generally not a cause for concern. If you have a medical condition or stand for long periods, it may happen to you frequently.

In some cases the swelling might persist for extended periods. If you are experiencing this kind of swelling, then wearing compression socks can help in reducing the swelling and ease any discomfort.

Even if you don’t have a medical condition, you can still wear compression socks to prevent edema and improve the blood circulation from the legs to the heart.

Both men and women can experience feet swelling. However, in this article, we shall be looking at compression socks women.

Why do you need compression socks?

If you have spider or varicose veins, then your doctor might prescribe compression socks to relieve swelling, heaviness, and pain in your legs. Also, they help to prevent blood clots in persons recently injured or undergone surgery.

Who uses compression stockings?

Persons with medical ailments: If you have chronic edema, diabetes, Lipodermatosclerosis, phlebitis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or Lymphedema- you need to wear compression socks. Wearing these socks every day will prevent any complications and keep you healthy.

Athletes: When athletes wear compression socks, it improves their circulation, decreases muscle cramps, and improves recovery.

Travel-goers: Pilots, airplane crews, and passengers who sit down for long hours in the same position have increased risk of their blood pooling in their lower extremities. Venous stasis can cause cramps, swelling, and pain.

Many people benefit from compression socks, even if you don’t have a medical condition. If you are pregnant, feel dizzy when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension), have limited mobility, or if you stand most of the day, consider compression socks.

What are compression socks?

As the name implies, compression socks provide compression therapy to your legs and feet. The stockings are elastic and apply gentle pressure to your legs to facilitate blood flow to your heart. They aid in reducing swelling and pain in the legs and ankles.

How do compression socks work?

Compression socks are not your everyday socks. These socks are made from an elastic material specially designed. Blood pools in the lower legs because of gravity. The stockings gradually apply pressure that, in turn, reduces the diameter of the blood vessels. The smaller veins increase the valve and the velocity of the blood flow.

Different types of socks fulfill varying functions. When you wear knee-high compression stockings, they help in preventing blood clots from forming in the lower legs, assist in treating leg ulcers in addition to increasing blood circulation.

Compression socks usually apply tighter pressure at the ankles and reduce the tightness as you go up the thighs and knees. By constricting muscles, veins, and arteries, circulating blood is forced through narrower channels causing more blood to flow to the heart rather than being deposited at the feet.

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What are the uses of different types of socks?

Compression socks come in varying types of materials, styles, colors, and pressure. They come in such different lengths- ankle, knee, and thigh-high stockings. There are support hose and compression sleeves, which are the regular socks but without the feet.

The socks are generally available in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. To make sure you have the correct size, you will measure various parts of the leg, feet, and heel. So be sure to confirm your proportions before your purchase.

Another crucial part of a compression sock is the pressure on the leg. The socks are tighter around the ankles and lighter as you move up your legs and thighs. The higher the range, the more strength is exerted on your leg. The pressure rating on each sock is as follows: Class 1 or low (15-20 mmHg), Class 2 or medium (20-30 mmHg), and Class 3 or high (30-40 mmHg).

It helps to check with your healthcare provider to see what class is suitable for your needs. If the tension is too tight for you, the socks could cut off blood supply to your legs.

What type of compression socks can I wear?

With all that said, let’s look at three primary types of these socks:

Anti-embolism socks: These socks are for those who are unable to move around. They reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis and provide gradient compression.

Non-medical support hosiery: These sets of socks exact the same pressure on all parts of your leg, such as flight socks or elastic support hose. They help in relieving aching and tired legs. You can get them online or off-the-counter from most pharmacies without any prescription.

Graduated compression socks: As the name implies, these socks have varying compression along its length. They exert more significant pressure at the ankles and reduces in pressure as you go up the leg. They are available in specified lengths and meet specific medical requirements. They are professionally fitted and are mostly suited for mobility.

Graduated socks that extend up to the thigh or waist can prevent orthostatic hypotension. This type of hypotension is low blood pressure that occurs when you stand up from a different position and become dizzy. All compression stockings help in curtailing swelling in the legs due to fluid buildup (peripheral edema).

Benefits of wearing compression socks

When worn correctly, wearing compression socks have the following benefits:

• Support your veins and making blood flow through them more efficiently
• Prevent venous ulcers – a condition with increased pressure in the lower leg due to malfunctioning venous valves
• Helps in preventing the development of deep vein thrombosis in the legs
• Reduces swelling in the legs
• Increases active blood circulation in the legs
• Reverses venous hypertension
• Improves lymphatic drainage
• Prevents the accumulation of blood in the veins of the leg
• Reduces pain caused by varicose or spider veins
• Reduces dizziness or light-headedness caused by orthostatic hypotension

What are the side-effects of wearing compression socks?

Compression stockings can have some side effects. Some people may be allergic to the fabric, and it may cause itching or even rash. You must be comfortable with whatever material you choose and make sure that it “breathes” and does not suffocate your legs.

It’s best to talk to your doctor before wearing them. Patients who have a severe vascular disease should not wear compression socks.

When the pressure of your socks is wrong, the first thing you might notice is numbness, discomfort, and pain in your legs or your toes. You may have spasms or decreased sensation. A sock that is too tight can also create knee pain, corns, calluses, or blisters.

At the end of the day, before you get into bed, remember to take off your socks and allows your legs and your feet to breathe and relax.

How do you wear compression stockings, and for how long?

Usually, your doctor should give you guidelines for wearing your socks. You should follow all the instructions given.

But if your provider does not give you directions, we provide useful tips for wearing and maintaining your socks correctly.

• Wear compression socks as prescribed by your doctor- usually all day as soon as you get out of bed until you take them off at night before bed.
• You usually wear compression socks on both legs, but depending on your condition, you might wear it only on one leg.
• Hold the socks at the top, roll it down to the heel, putting in your foot. Push your foot in and your heel in the heel of the socks. Now unroll the socks up to your legs, making sure that it does not bunch up, and there are no wrinkles. Smooth out any wrinkles and ensure that it fits comfortably.
• If you are finding it hard to put on the socks, you might want to rub some lotion on your legs. After it dries, apply some cornstarch on your legs to reduce friction between your leg and the socks to make it easier to slide the socks up.
• You may wear a set of gloves, if needed, to assist in smoothing out the socks and adjusting them
• Check to see if your socks are machine-washable and follow the given instructions. If they are not, handwash them each day with slightly warm water and mild soap. Ensure you have two or three pairs handy so you can interchange pairs.
• It is advisable to replace your socks at least every six months to maintain their effectiveness
• If you are experiencing any discomfort wearing your socks, contact your doctor immediately for advice

How do you buy compression stockings?

Before getting your socks, check your health insurance and talk to your healthcare insurance provider:

• Check if your health insurance plan covers compression socks
• Obtain a prescription from your medical doctor
• Locate a medical equipment store that can measure your legs and get you a suitable fit

Comprogear is renowned for its superb quality compression socks. We do not just make a sale- we listen to and understand your needs. We strive to present you with options that serve those needs and are also stylish and comfortable.

Our years of research and experience have led us to design compression socks that fulfill your needs and avoid the side effects. We assure you that your legs will love our socks.

We have five colors: onyx black, sunset stripes, mountain blue, savory blue chevrons, and red wine. They are available in the Medium (Class 2) 20 – 30 mmHg pressure range, and in four sizes (small, medium, large, and extra-large).

Comprogear considers the measurements of the cuff, leg, toe, instep, foot, sole, gusset, and heel. These measurements ensure that our socks fit you snugly and do not create any discomfort.

We presently offer our customers free shipping on all orders to all parts within the United States. We have 100-percent confidence in all our products that our return policy is simply this: “If you want a refund, you get it. No hassles. No whining. No corporate policy nonsense. Heck, we won’t even make you ship back the product.”

Compression socks prevent or curtail many medical conditions. However, anyone can wear compression socks if they wish to improve blood flow or to prevent medical ailments from arising.

These socks come in various materials, colors, sizes, and pressure types. We strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor to determine what strength you need. It’s helpful to buy at least two pairs of socks to interchange when one pair is due for washing.

At Comprogear, we stock and sell compression socks that improve your health. Buying and wearing Comprogear compression socks is a one-stop-shop for all your needs– functional, affordable, and attractive.

This page last updated December 16, 2022