The general rule of thumb when it comes to safely wearing compression garments is to wear them in accordance with the advice and guidelines of a medical professional. If it is impossible or impractical to seek professional advice, compression socks should be worn flawlessly smoothly against the leg, with absolutely no folds or wrinkles of any kind. In addition, it is important to err on the side of caution when it comes to the actual pressure setting itself, being sure not to choose garments that are unnecessarily or perhaps dangerously tight.
For obvious reasons, compression socks of the wrong size are also going to provide little to no benefit – they could in fact do more harm than good. As is the case with all healthcare products, there are of course certain groups of people who should stay away from compression socks altogether.
Just some of the conditions that may deem an individual unsuitable for compression therapy include peripheral neuropathy or any other condition that impacts skin sensation, any history of a peripheral arterial bypass grafting, peripheral artery disease, infections of the skin; dermatitis that has led to particularly fragile or weeping skin, excessive leg swelling or pulmonary edema as a result of congestive heart failure. In each of these instances, compression therapy should be avoided altogether as each condition has the potential to present various severe and perhaps even lethal risks.
Generally speaking, anyone with a history of heart problems or any severe circulatory issues should not even consider using compression socks or stockings, without first consulting with a medical professional. The same also goes for those with skin conditions, which could react badly to the tight-fitting garments. Compression socks can inhibit the healing process of certain skin injuries and conditions, while those with any sensory skin issues that result in reduced overall sensation should not wear compression garments, as they may be unable to determine if and when they are dangerously tight. So while it’s true to say that compression therapy does not pose any severe threat to most people, it is still advisable to speak to a doctor or healthcare professional, before getting started.
This counts double if you are currently suffering from or have a past history of any medical condition. Generally speaking, if you have any medical condition, talk with your health care professional before using compression stockings to see if you’re a good candidate for them.
