A large body of published evidence has shown that compression garments – stockings, socks, tights and sleeves can be beneficial for many conditions. However, like any treatment, compression hosiery and sleeves are not recommended for everyone.Our simple guide to compression shows you when to wear compression socks, and also when compression hosiery can be harmful. If you need help or advice on compression therapy, please call our Customer Service Team on 0800 195 0160.
When to wear compression socks and hosiery
Wearing compression socks and other compression garments is clinically proven to help conditions such as varicose veins, leg ulcers, lymphoedema and deep vein thrombosis.One of the benefits of compression hosiery is that it compresses the tissues of the limb, forcing excess fluid back into the circulation and back to the heart. Because of this, wearing compression socks and other compression garments can help tired and aching legs. Wearing compression garments can also prevent DVT in air travellers and hospital patients.
When not to wear compression hosiery
Contraindications in the medical world are situations in which something should not be prescribed or recommended. If you have any of the following, compression garments may not be right for you:
- Ischaemia: This is a lack of oxygen in the limbs due to peripheral arterial disease, particularly affecting your legs. This causes pain on walking, known as intermittent claudication. It arises because the arteries supplying the legs have become narrowed or blocked, and the muscles cannot get enough oxygen.
- Peripheral neuropathy: This is damage to the nerves in your hands, arms, feet and legs.
- Congestive heart failure: This arises when the heart muscle becomes weak or stiff and cannot pump blood around the body efficiently. It causes a build – up of fluid – oedema in the legs.
- Diabetes: Peripheral arterial disease and peripheral neuropathy are both complications of diabetes.
- Cellulitis: An infection deep within the skin that causes fluid build-up – oedema.
- Allergies: Some people can be allergic to components used to make compression garments. Skin reactions do occur – Âsometimes these can be solved by using a different brand or type, but if you are allergic to compression garments, wearing them will put you at risk of skin breaks and infection.
Anyone with other conditions that would normally require treatment with compression hosiery needs to be carefully assessed and monitored. Compression therapy should only be considered if the medical team decides that the benefits of compression will outweigh the risks.
When can compression hosiery be harmful?
For some people and for some conditions, there are risks to using compression. These risks are:
- Making ischaemia worse: If the limb is already short of oxygen (ischaemia) or is abnormally swollen (oedema), a compression stocking or sleeve will compress the smaller blood vessels near to the surface of the skin, making it more likely that the tissues will be short of oxygen.
- Causing pain: Compression hosiery used as a medical treatment should be made-to-measure. If a compression garment is too tight, this can be very uncomfortable. If you have an underlying condition such as heart failure or cellulitis, your limbs can swell considerably in a short time period.
- Tissue damage: This can occur in the two situations above, and also in someone with peripheral neuropathy, as pain signals may not be noticed because of nerve damage.
Compression help: when you need to speak to a professional
For advice on moderate to firm compression. While it is safe to use light to moderate compression garments for varicose veins and tired and aching legs, you really need to see your GP or specialist for moderate to firm compression for more serious health problems.For correct fitting compression hosiery. Specialist suppliers such as Daylong are able to provide compression garments according to prescription in a range of styles and provide made-to-measure products that fit the specifications of your doctor or nurse.For post-procedure recuperation. If you have serious peripheral arterial disease or heart failure, you may not be given compression stockings to wear in hospital. Ask questions if you are not sure, but the medical team will assess your circulatory problems and can suggest other ways to prevent deep vein thrombosis that are safer in your situation.
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FAQs
What are the contraindications of Daylong Tablet ? Daylong Tablet is not recommended if you are suffering from end-stage kidney disease, were the Creatinine clearance in such cases is less than 10 ml/min. It should not be used in children below 12 years with kidney abnormalities.
What are the contraindications for leg compression therapy? ›
Contraindications
- Advanced peripheral obstructive arterial disease (ankle brachial pressure index [ABPI] <0.8) (Evidence level A)
- Systemic arterial pressure <80 mm Hg at ankle.
- Phlegmasia cerulea dolens.
- Uncontrolled congestive heart failure.
- Abscesses.
- Septic phlebitis.
- Advanced peripheral neuropathy.
If the top of the stocking at the thigh or calf is too tight, it can create a tourniquet effect. This actually blocks or slows your blood flow. You shouldn't wear compression socks if you have severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) because it makes the blood vessels in your legs narrow, reducing your blood flow.
When should you not use compression therapy? ›
You should avoid compression therapy if you have a condition that affects your skin or your ability to feel. These include: Peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
What are the contraindications for lymphedema wraps? ›
Contraindications to LWs include active infection, acute inflammation, deep vein thrombosis or phlebitis, severe cardiac pathology, peripheral artery disease, active cancer, active heart failure, acute renal failure, connective tissue disorders, abdominal pain, sudden edema of unknown cause, acute uncontrolled ...
When not to use compression? ›
A compression garment should not be worn in the case of circulation disorders in leg arteries or for those with serious heart conditions. Caution is also recommended in the case of sensory impairments due to diabetes and neuropathy (nerve damage).
What is a contraindication reason not to use for compression therapy? ›
The contraindications for compression treatment are: severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) with ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) <0.6, ankle pressure <60 mm Hg, toe pressure <30 mm Hg, or transcutaneous oxygen pressure < 20 mm Hg; suspected compression of an existing epifascial arterial bypass; severe ...
When are compression socks contraindicated? ›
Contraindications and complications
The use of graduated compression stockings on legs with impaired arterial flow can worsen ischemia. Patients who are allergic to the stocking material may develop contact dermatitis, skin discoloration and blistering.
Is a DVT a contraindication for compression stockings? ›
The avoidance of compression in patients with established DVT or SVT appears to be based only on theoretical grounds, as compression might promote the dislodgement of clots and cause pulmonary embolism (PE).
Do compression socks raise blood pressure? ›
Wearing compression stockings significantly elevated SBP in the supine position of the hypotensive (SBP≤100 mmHg; n=24) but not normotensive groups (140 mmHg>SBP>100 mmHg; n=58). DBP and HR were not significantly altered in either group.
You can wear your compression socks all day by putting them on when getting dressed in the morning, and take them off before bed (unless your doctor advises otherwise).
Who should not wear flight socks? ›
If you have skin that's easily bruised or a compromised skin layer that scrapes or bruises easily, wearing compression socks isn't recommended. They can cause injury to your skin, and the chafing or sores caused by compression socks can even lead to an infection if they aren't taken care of properly.
How long is too long for compression? ›
You can wear your compression socks all day long, and you can wear them every day without worries. They're designed to be worn for long periods. However, you should always remove them before you go to sleep.
What medications should be avoided with lymphedema? ›
The most commonly used drugs which can cause edema are: • calcium channel blockers e.g. amlodipine • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen • corticosteroids e.g. prednisolone • hormones and related compounds e.g. tamoxifen Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) These are probably the medications most ...
What can worsen lymphedema? ›
Cuts and injuries to the skin can trigger lymphedema or make it worse. The skin around the area where there are damaged or missing lymph nodes is always at risk of infection because lymph nodes are part of the immune system that protects us. Protect your skin from injuries, cuts, and bites.
What foods make lymphedema worse? ›
Foods to Limit with Lymphedema
These fats are found in foods such as dairy products, cakes, cookies, microwave popcorn, fast food items, fatty cuts of meat, and poultry skin. Alcohol can be a problem because it is a diuretic which means it will cause you to urinate more frequently.
Who should not use a leg compression machine? ›
Some people with certain health conditions should not use IPC devices. For example, people with leg ulcers, burns, or peripheral vascular disease have a higher risk for problems. Older adults may be more at risk for skin breakdown.
What are the problems with compression therapy? ›
Table 1.
| Reported adverse events | Incidence |
|---|
| Allergic skin reaction5,6 | Very rare |
| Discomfort and pain7 | Common |
| Forefoot oedema and lymphoedemaa | Rare |
| Bacterial and fungal infection4,9,10 | Very rare |
8 more rowsMar 2, 2020
Compression must not be used if the ABPI is less than 0.8 or there is active phlebitis, deep vein thrombosis, or cellulitis (1). If the leg ulcer is infected, do not start compression therapy until infection has resolved (1).
When should you stop wearing compression? ›
If you're having major surgery or surgery on your legs, hips, abdomen or other area below the waist, you should wear your compression stockings for a minimum of two weeks and up to two months until you're fully mobile. We highly recommend consulting with your surgeon in this case.
