Side Effects of Wearing Compression Stockings

A properly fitted compression sock may (at most) cause some itching and redness.

An improperly fitted compression sock can cause irritation, pain, swelling, and loss of circulation.

⬇️ The infographic below shows the most common side effects ⬇️

But…

…do the benefits of compression socks outweigh the downsides?

Absolutely!

Let’s talk about the benefits of compression stockings first.

Then we can discuss the side effects of wearing compression stockings.

Wearing Compression Stockings

The Benefits 

Let’s start with why you should have at least a pair of compression stockings in your drawer.

As mentioned earlier, they boost the blood circulation in your legs but why is it necessary you might ask?

You can avoid blood misbehaving by clotting their way up and down your legs. They aid the discomfort that vein diseases can cause, especially to prevent and treat varicose veins and symptoms of poor leg health.

• Provide support to your veins                  
• Prevent venous ulcers 
• Relieve swelling (edema) and aching of the legs
• Reverse venous hypertension            
• Improve Lymphatic drainage
• Prevent pooling of blood in your leg veins (which can lead to severe diseases in the legs)  

How Do They Work 

It’s as easy as 1,2,3!

Compression stockings apply graduated pressure levels evenly on your lower limbs by reducing the diameter of major veins, thus increasing the velocity of blood flow.

It helps accelerate blood circulation to make sure the blood flows freely and back to your heart against the gravitational effect. These specialized stockings not only are great circulation boosters for your legs allowing you to not feel sluggish on your daily activities but have many other added health benefits.

Let the blood flow up to your heart smoothly my friends!

Different Types and Lengths

Example

If you are looking for compression stockings, you will find that there are different types and different lengths.

Make sure you visit the clinic to consult a doctor to help you find the right one that will not only cater to your needs but comfort too as you would be much happier and healthier with the correct compression stockings.

Here I have listed the top 3 searched ones to help you better understand the different types. Consult with your doctor to help remedy your situation if you are uncertain. It’s not too much of a hassle to visit your nearest clinic!

Graduated Compression Stockings

This compression design focuses on mobility and meeting the preferred length and strength of medical specifications.

Knee-high compression stockings are a good choice for those wishing to reduce the symptoms of swelling in the legs and limit conditions such as peripheral derma.

If you wish to reduce pooling of blood in the legs and the likelihood of fainting due to orthostatic hypotension, then the thigh or waist length compression stockings would be better options.

Anti-embolism Stockings

Designed for people with limited mobility, especially bedridden patients, these stockings provide gradient compression.

Keep in mind that there are different levels of compressions. These specific stockings will help reduce the possibility of you getting deep vein thrombosis.

They are specially designed to help apply pressure to your lower legs which will help to maintain the blood flow and reduce some symptoms of discomfort and swelling you may experience because of prolonged standing and sitting after a long workday.

Non-medical Support Hosiery

These support hosieries require no prescription as they are mainly a design to help with the relief for tired and aching legs. They exert less pressure than the prescribed medical-grade stockings.

Tired of discovering new cities on your holidays or walking to and back from work?

Treat yourselves by getting a pair of them! You can shop them easily in pharmacies or online… Add to cart, please! Aw!

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What Exactly are the Side Effects?

Let’s address the elephant in the room

I will now cover the part where everyone skips when they hear how good a product is without covering the bases of their needs, the reason why we are here today…

You must be wondering if there are such great benefits of wearing them, then why exactly would there be any harm done by wearing compression stockings?

Like anything good, when done the wrong way or applied wrongly can lead to a bad outcome.

• Skin infections
• Skin diseases
• Blood circulation disruption (Can lead to a series of leg diseases nightmare like venous reflux disease, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins.)

Now, the bigger question is how to avoid them?

1. Do not overwear them

It’s safe to say that the biggest side effect of wearing compression stockings come from over-wearing them.

Make sure you don’t wear them to sleep and not prolonged wearing them for an extended period of time.

Take them off every 2 hours, even for a few minutes to let your skin breathe to avoid skin infection and diseases.

2. Choose the right pressure level

Also, please make sure you choose the correct compression pressure level that suits your health conditions and your needs.

3. Read the sizing chart and select the right size

If you are suffering from irritations and redness from wearing compression stockings, first you might want to check if you had bought the right size. Please make sure that they are measured correctly to prevent any possible loss of circulation.

4. Put them on the right way

Make sure the method you are using of putting on and taking off your compression stockings is indeed the right way.

I know what you are probably thinking, they are stockings!

Do keep in mind that there are different types of compression stockings catered to specific needs. You could accidentally create blood clots instead of preventing them! That is the exact opposite of what we want.

Let’s not add on to the problems, shall we?

Here’s a tip for you, dust a little talcum powder or baby powder on them before you sleeve up as it will make it a lot easier and help not to make it even more uncomfortable or hurt more by tugging and pulling at it so much.

Sock up like a professional. Fresher legs people!

5. Read the product details carefully to avoid potential allergic reactions

If you are suffering from itchiness and mild infections, it’s probably because you are allergic to certain material used in manufacturing the compression stockings.

Sometimes an itch is an itch and you just have to scratch but make sure your compression stockings are clean to avoid further skin infections.

It’s likely that you might be allergic to the material of the compression stockings too if the condition worsens. So, make sure you read the product details thoroughly before you make the purchase.

The Takeaway

To cap it all off webizens, yes, compression stockings are amazing and they do many wonders but like all good things without attention to detail, they will only do more long-term damage to your conditions.

That is if you are not careful.

We see the years go by and we see that as we grow each year older, our body changes so pay close attention and listen to what our bodies are saying by making sure we are doing everything we can to not only prevent but improve our health.

As there is no escaping nor stopping time, let’s limit a lot of long-term problems by taking proactive measures, close mentoring and making decisions before it is too late.

It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, active or simply a couch potato, recognize and pay attention to what your body needs. Get online, go to the pharmacy closest to you and shop for your very own compression stockings!

This page last updated December 10, 2022