Do Compression Socks Help Varicose Veins? Treatment for Varicose Veins
Do Compression Socks Help Varicose Veins?
Compression socks are knee high stockings that improve circulation of blood by applying pressure. They can be useful to alleviate pain and help with blood flow. But do compression socks help varicose veins permanently?
The short answer is: No.
Varicose Veins are a large swollen knot of veins where blood has collected. Compression socks are often recommended by doctors to improve circulation. However, while they can help with blood flow, they cannot permanently treat varicose veins.
Compression socks also carry several risk factors which we will discuss later in this article. As such, if you want to wear compression stockings, you should consult your local vein doctor in New York or vein doctor in New Jersey to be properly fitted.
In this article, we’ll give you all the information you need about varicose veins, how to wear compression stockings, and permanent treatment for varicose veins.
What are Varicose Veins?
Before we discuss compression socks, we should first talk about varicose veins.
Varicose veins are large swollen veins located just beneath the surface of the skin. They often bulge out of the skin, look purple, red, or blue, and are twisted in form.
Varicose veins occur as a result of a disease called Venous Insufficiency, also known as vein disease. Basically, instead of the blood flowing smoothly to the heart, a vein malfunction leads to the blood flowing back and collecting in the person’s legs. As the blood collects below the valves in the legs, the veins get larger and the pressure leads to the formation of varicose veins.
The following are some of the common symptoms of varicose veins:
- Swelling due to the pooling of blood.
- Formation of non-healing skin ulcers since the skin in the affected area doesn’t heal quickly.
- Skin infection called Cellulitis, which is caused due to the skin’s inability to defend against bacteria.
- The skin around the varicose veins become extremely sensitive and prone to heavy bleeding.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis, a medical condition where a blood clot forms in the varicose veins, which can potentially get carried into the lungs and cause a Pulmonary Embolism.
Now that you understand the basic essence of what varicose veins are and how dangerous they can be, read on to learn about compression socks.
Do Compression Socks Help Varicose Veins?
Here, at Vein Treatment Clinic, our doctors often recommend compression socks for people dealing with varicose veins. However, it is important to note that varicose veins are only a temporary solution. They provide a brief sense of relief by encouraging blood flow. In the long run, they cannot treat varicose veins.
To cure varicose veins completely, you will need to contact your vein doctor in NY or vein doctor in NJ for a specific treatment solution. Furthermore, if you’re not careful, compression socks can even worsen your condition. As such, it is important to consult a vein treatment clinic even about getting fitted for compression socks.
Read on to learn more about compression socks, how they work, and what the different types are.
What are Compression Socks?
Historically speaking, Roman soldiers used to wrap leather straps around their legs to improve circulation of blood during marches. Modern-day compression socks work on a similar principle.
Compression socks are stockings that improve circulation of blood through the application of pressure. They exert great pressure around the ankles and feet, improving blood circulation to the heart.
You should wear compression socks during the day because activities like sitting or standing can stall blood flow. If you wear compression socks at night, you should prop your legs up and straight to encourage blood flow in the right direction.
There are various different types of compression socks that apply different levels of pressure. However, there is little to no evidence to suggest that compression socks can treat varicose veins permanently. At most, they can minimize some of the symptoms and pain.
What are the different types of Compression Socks?
There are three types of compression socks.
- Pantyhose: These apply minimal pressure.
- Compression Socks: You can purchase compression socks online. They are available in a range of different compression and pressure levels.
- Prescription Compression Socks: These are the most effective types of compression socks. To get them, you have to consult your local vein doctor. At Vein Treatment Clinic, we provide custom stockings that are neither too tight nor too loose. If you decide to use compression socks, it is highly recommended that you get Prescription Compression Socks because an ill-fitting pair can worsen your situation.
Risks of Using Compression Socks Incorrectly
It is extremely important to use compression socks correctly. That means they have to be perfectly fitted for your legs and they need to be worn correctly. When wearing compression socks, your legs should be clean and any lotion should be well-absorbed into the skin. You should also make sure that your compression socks don’t have any wrinkles on them.
Wearing the wrong compression socks or wearing them incorrectly can have the following risks:
- Your skin might break or get wounded.
- You might experience excessive irritation of the skin.
- General discomfort.
To prevent any of that from occurring, you should take the following cautionary measures:
- Don’t wear compression socks continuously for too long.
- Remove them whenever you feel excessive irritation.
- Consult a vein doctor in NY or vein doctor in NJ so you can be custom-fitted for compression socks meant just for you.
Do Compression Socks Help Varicose Veins?
To summarize, compression socks can improve circulation of blood and alleviate some pain. However, you should consult your local vein doctor so you get compression socks that are just right. Furthermore, they cannot treat varicose veins completely. If you want a proper treatment for varicose veins, you will have to contact a reputable vein specialist.
How to Treat Varicose Veins Permanently?
As mentioned already, the only permanent treatment for varicose veins is to consult highly-qualified and reputable vein specialists, i.e., a Phlebologists. With the advancements in technology and modern medicine, you can treat varicose veins with minimally-invasive procedures such as Laser Ablation, VenaSeal, Radiofrequency Ablation, and Sclerotherapy.
Working in conjunction with VIP Medical Group, our vein treatment clinic has a perfect record of meeting all our patients’ needs. We can fit you for custom prescription compression socks and treat varicose veins permanently so you don’t even need the compression socks.
Varicose veins have a tendency to advance quickly so be sure to contact your local vein doctor immediately.