Without a doubt, the least popular part of having a vein condition for many people is wearing compression stockings. There are, however, some who swear by them and won’t go a day without them because of the relief they bring. They know how much they help. But for most people, it’s a struggle.
Compression stockings work for most people. They are tight for a reason. The compression squeezes the leg veins, compressing the tiny valves together so that they can do what they need to do - prevent the backflow of blood and keep it from pooling in the lower legs. The reason they work, however, is the same reason that many people don’t like them. They can be uncomfortable and hard to get on. Here are some tips to make wearing compression stockings a little easier and more comfortable.
Getting them on over the ankle and foot is the hardest part for most people. A thin sock that goes up the ankle to the lower calf can be worn underneath the compression stocking to help them slide on over the sock. Once they are over the ankle, pulling them up onto your leg is easy.
Don’t put them on right after a shower. They are nearly impossible to pull on if your leg is damp. Make sure your leg is completely dry and use a little bit of powder on your leg to be able to pull them on more easily.
Wear gloves if you have trouble gripping the stockings because of poor grip strength or even fingernails that might rip them. Gloves like rubber exam gloves or the gloves you use for cleaning your kitchen will help you grip the stocking and pull them up easier.
People often wonder if they should wear knee-high or thigh-high. Either will work. If knee-high stockings work for them, it makes it easier since you don’t have to get them over the knee. Most people find that knee-high stockings work just fine. However, some say they are uncomfortable and pinch below the knee. For others, thigh-highs are more comfortable. Try them to see which works best for you.
Stockings work best if you put them on first thing in the morning and take them off just before you crawl into bed at night. It’s important to get the compression on your legs first thing in the morning before gravity can cause blood to start pooling in your lower legs. Removing them at night is recommended because you don’t want to sleep in them because they can cause nerve damage. If you feel like you want to wear them at night, find an old loose pair to use so that they won't hurt the nerves.
Don’t let them bunch up along your leg. Any areas where there is a bunching up on your leg, will pinch and be uncomfortable. If you have trouble keeping them up, there is something called stocking glue that you can use. It is actually very user-friendly. It’s an oil-like substance that acts as a body adhesive. You put on your skin and the rubber tread on top inside of the stockings will stick to it, preventing them from sliding down.
Getting the right size is important for your leg dimensions. Measure the ankle, midcalf, and length of your leg. If they are too small, they can be incredibly painful. If they are too big, they won’t be effective.
If you are still having trouble putting them on, you might find a stocking butler helpful. It takes more time to put them on, but makes it very easy. The only problem with a stocking butler is that it won't be helpful in taking your compression stockings off. Often, if you have trouble getting them on, you may also struggle to take them off and a stocking butler won't help with that.
For more information, including video demonstrations of different ways to put them on and for taking proper measurements for a good fit, visit our Comprehensive Guide to Compression Stockings.