LEG SMART » Advice and Tips

Why do some people wear thigh high and others wear pantyhose compression stockings?

Kathy — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:39:28 +0000

Thigh high compression stockings go all the way to the top of your thigh so while they provide support on and above the knee, they do not provide compression to the groin or hip. Some people choose pantyhose compression stockings because they need support in those areas. Another reason why people wear pantyhose or men’s leotard compression stockings is because thigh high compression stockings do not stay up for them.

For people who are allergic to silicone and cannot tolerate the silicone top band on thigh high compression stockings, they should consider wearing waist high compression stockings such as pantyhose or men’s leotard.

Can I cut off the feet of my compression stockings?

Kathy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:33:04 +0000

No! Please do not cut off the feet on any of your compression stockings. Compression stockings must have the foot portion because it acts like an anchor for the compression stockings. All compression stockings on LegSmart.com are gradient compression, which means that the compression is strongest at the ankle and get lighter towards the top. If you cut off the foot, the compression stocking will roll and be very uncomfortable.

If you are concerned about shoe size of comfort of your feet, consider wearing an open toe compression stocking. Every brand LegSmart.com carries makes an open toe compression stocking. Please feel free to contact our Customer Care Team if you have any questions about finding the right compression stocking for you.

Email us 24/7 at: support@legsmart.com

What is the difference between compression stockings for men and compression stockings for women?

Kathy — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:31:30 +0000

People often wonder if there is a difference between compression stockings that are for men and compression stockings that are for women. Manufacturers label them different, put different pictures on the box, etc, etc. When it comes to the measurements on the leg, there is absolutely no difference! The reason why manufactures separate the men’s and women’s compression stockings is because of the foot size and the style.

Men have larger feet than women, so compression stockings specifically labeled for men usually have a longer foot. If you’re a woman, and you always complain about the foot portion being too tight on your toes, consider wearing a men’s compression stocking.

Compression stockings for men and women also have different styles when it comes to the material. For women, a more sheer fabric is used, and the style of the compression stockings are usually without a pattern. For men, compression stockings tend to be ribbed, to look like a dress sock. Also, color selection varies depending on gender. Compression stockings for women usually get different beige colors such as Suntan, Natural, Taupe and Wheat. Men usually only get one beige color that’s Khaki. If you don’t mind either way, and the length in the foot portion doesn’t bother you, you could wear any compression stocking you wanted, as long as it fits.

I have been wearing thigh high compression stockings with silicone band, but I have developed an allergic reaction to the silicone, what can I do?

Kathy — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:56:22 +0000

Getting a reaction or irrigation from your compression stockings is not fun. So here are a few things you can do to fix that.

You can switch wearing thigh high compression stockings to wearing either a waist high compression stocking (pantyhose or men’s leotard), or a knee high compression stocking.

Please note! If you are choosing to go from a thigh high to a knee high, make sure that the knee high is providing you with the adequate support. If you need compression on or above your knee, do not switch to wearing a knee high. The knee high compression stockings will not support your legs properly. Consider wearing a waist high compression stocking such as a pantyhose or a men’s leotard.

If you are going to stay with the thigh high, you can choose to wear a thigh high without a silicone top band. If you are concerned about the top slipping down, try using It Stays body adhesive. Just a little bit on the skin is enough to hold your compression stockings up on your thigh. It’s also water soluble so it comes out with a little warm water and gentle soap. To order a thigh high without silicone top band, please contact the LegSmart.com Customer Care Team at support@legsmart.com.

I had a lot of swelling in my legs and after wearing my compression stockings, and now they fall down. What can I do?

Kathy — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:52:32 +0000

When you start wearing compression stockings, the swelling in your legs will begin to reduce. The swelling in your legs may reduce to the point that your compression stockings will be too big for your legs and slide down. If you have a lot of swelling, and you are wearing compression stockings, measure your legs once every 30 days to make sure that the size of your compression stocking is still right for you. If your sizing has changed due to the reduction in swelling, then you will need a new compression stocking that is the right size for your legs. This is common in people who have lots of swelling in their legs. A reduction in swelling, usually means a reduction in the size of your stocking.

In the meantime, preserve the compression in your compression stockings by washing them every night in cool water with a gentle soap. Avoid harsh detergents and softeners. Do not place your compression stockings in a hot drier. This will help keep your compression stockings from stretching out. Also, be sure to replace your compression stockings every 4 to 5 months, as the compression in your stockings will run out with 6 months of wear.

My knee high compression stockings roll down because I have a large calf. What should I do?

Kathy — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:18:15 +0000

Sometimes knee high compression stockings can roll down the leg if you have a large calf. So here are a few things you can do to fix that!

When your stockings don’t fit well, always double check your measurements and sizing. If your measurements and sizing not correct, or outdated, the stocking will not fit well and may slide down or roll.

Next, you’ll want to check to see if your compression stocking is old. If it’s been about 6 months, then you’ll want to replace them. After 6 months, compression stockings lose their strength and can slide down your leg.

A good thing to have on your compression stockings is a silicone border. Knee high compression stockings with silicone borders will grip the top of the calf and prevent any sliding or rolling. You want to wear the silicone border the same way you would wear the top band of a regular knee high. Don’t pull the silicone up into your knee. Make sure it stops below the back of the bend of your knee.

Also, be sure to use donning gloves when putting on your knee highs and spread the material out evenly on your leg. This will help ensure that your compression stocking is properly put on your leg.

When I put on my compression stockings, I roll them up and I have a really hard time putting them on. Why is that?

Kathy — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:31:53 +0000

Think of compression stockings like a bunch of rubber bands. When you roll or bunch the stocking, all of the material gets condensed into one spot. Then it’s like trying to put a big roll of rubber bands over foot all at once, which is very tight.

The best way to put on compression stockings is to open the top band and step into them like pants. Stop pulling when your foot feels a bit of resistance from the stocking. You’re not going to get your compression stocking on your legs in one pull, so don’t pull really hard from the top. I recommend the use of donning gloves when putting on compression stockings. Donning gloves help your hands grip the material so that you can pull it up your legs little by little.

Why do I need to wash my Compression Stockings every night?

Kathy — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:37:23 +0000

When you wear your compression stocking all day, they stretch out on your legs. So at the end of the day when you take off your stockings, you can see that they are larger than when you originally pulled them out of the package. Washing your compression stocking not only cleans the fabric, it also allows the compression stocking to return to their original shape and size. Washing your compression stocking in cold water and gentle soap refreshes the fabric and threads so that they can provide support to your legs the next time you put them on.

Fit is very important, so washing your compression stockings properly is also an important step to having them wear comfortably on your leg.

What should I do if my open toe rolls up on the foot?

Sam — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:57:38 +0000

Open compression stockings are easy to put on and take off and many people prefer to have their toes open to wear sandals. But sometimes, the opening of the toe band will drift or roll up on the foot. This could be caused by several things, but we’ll talk about the two most common.

First, the shoe might be too tight. So when you’re wearing an open toe with or without a sock over it and you put your foot into a tight shoe, the toe band rolls up. A solution would be to wear a shoe that has more room in the front. Or avoid wearing socks that are too thick over your open toe compression stocking.

Second, the open toe compression rolls when it gets worn out. Make sure you’re washing your compression stockings properly after wearing them and that they are replaced every 4-6 months depending on how often you wear them.

It Stays roll-on skin adhesive is good for keeping your compression stockings in their right place. You can roll a bit of It Stays on the top and bottom of your foot and stick the open toe band to keep it from moving throughout the day. Wash off with warm water and gentle soap.

I have a bunion, can I wear compression stockings?

Sam — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:40:25 +0000

Compression stockings have very little or no compression in the foot, so they should not bother you if you have a bunion. People who wear open toe compression stockings should be aware that the toe band may fall across your bunion and cause some discomfort. If that’s the case, pull the toe band either closer to your toes, or back near your arch and avoid the bunion. If wearing an open toe continues to aggravate your bunion, we may recommend a closed toe compression stocking.