Friday, November 1
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Varicose Vein Treatment: Are Your Compression Stockings Itchy?

by Ruchi Gupta

Varicose Vein Treatment Are Your Compression Stockings Itchy

Compression stockings are an integral part of almost every type of varicose vein treatment. If you go to a vein clinic that specializes in varicose vein treatment, like Metro Vein Centers, and undergo a procedure like sclerotherapy or laser treatment, you’ll almost always be instructed to wear compression stockings after the procedure. In fact, the staff will likely assist you in putting on your compression stockings before you leave the clinic. You are usually then instructed to leave them on all night when you return home. This is to reduce pain and guard against a vein bleeding out (very rare but it can happen). Most vein doctors will then instruct you to wear compression stockings all day for at least two additional weeks, taking them off only at night.

In many cases too, wearing compression stockings are an ongoing form of varicose vein treatment for months, even years, after a clinical vein procedure. If you haven’t yet had varicose vein treatment, such as EVLT or sclerotherapy, your vein doctor may try “conservative treatment” that you can do at home. This includes leg elevation, exercise, losing weight, taking highly concentrated orange derived flavonoids, and wearing compression stockings. So, if you have varicose veins, and you’re under a doctor’s care to treat them, it is highly likely that wearing compression stockings are now part of your day to day life.

One of the most common complaints vein doctors get about compression stockings are that they itch! Some patients complain that they itch while they are wearing them. Others complain that their legs itch intensely after they take them off at night.

Itchiness is usually caused by one or more of three possibilities:

1. Dry skin exacerbated by compression stockings
2. Allergic reaction to something in the compression stockings
3. Improper fit of the compression stockings

Possibility number three above is the least likely but we include it for completeness sake. However, it’s also the simplest to fix if this is the source of your itchiness. So, the first thing you may want to try is taking your measurements again and trying a different size in the exact same brand and style of the compression stockings that are causing the itchiness. If the itching subsides when you wear a different size, GREAT!! If not, you can start dealing with the first and second possibilities above.

Varicose Vein Treatment

One of the primary symptoms of varicose veins and venous reflux (faulty vein valves) is dry, flaky, itchy skin! So, the itchiness may have more to do with the progression of your varicose vein disease than actually wearing compression stockings. However, most compression stockings are not very breathable, which in some cases, can exacerbate your dry skin problem. You may want to talk with the fine folks at your varicose vein treatment clinic about special ordering cotton based compression stockings that are more breathable. There are no guarantees this will stop the itching but it might so it’s worth a try.

An even easier (and less expensive) method of alleviating itching due to dry flaky skin is using a moisturizer daily on the dry flaky skin. Try using an oil free (petroleum free) lotion like Aveeno or another natural moisturizer containing hydrating components like aloe vera, essential oils, bees wax, and vitamin E. Aveeno and many other natural lotions contain anti-irritants like feverfew and oats that help eliminate the itchy sensation in addition to moisturizing your skin. Please note that oil based products can damage your compression stockings in addition to clogging your skin pores. It’s best to apply moisturizing lotion at night after you take off your compression stockings. This will allow the lotion to soak into your skin before morning. Otherwise, the lotion may interfere with putting on your stockings correctly.

The types of fibers used to make compression stockings varies greatly between brands, styles, and grade (medical grade versus over the counter). These fibers include silicone, latex, elastane, nylon, polyamide, polyester, wool, and cotton. Some people have contact allergies to one or more of these fibers, particularly to synthetic fibers. However, an itchy allergy may also be due to the presence of a particular chemical used in the production of the compression stockings rather than the fibers themselves. Unfortunately, these hidden chemicals are not listed on the packaging so you may want to contact the manufacturer and ask them what chemicals are used in their compression stockings. However, it may be easiest to simply try different brands to find one that does not cause the itchy allergy.

It is always important to talk with your vein doctor before you start a regular routine of wearing compression stockings. As part of an overall varicose vein treatment plan, compression stockings can play a critical role but you need to make sure you are wearing the right compression and you have a proper fit. You can get a free evaluation at Metro Vein Centers by calling in for an appointment. If you have questions about compression stockings, be sure to ask them when you go on your appointment. Your vein doctor will likely want to do a duplex ultrasound to determine if you have faulty vein valves, a thickening of your vein walls, and how extensive these problems are if they occur. This will help determine the best varicose vein treatment, including the type of compression stockings (or socks) that would be best for you to wear.

1 Comment

  • Jerry

    After I take off my compression socks I wipe them down with witch hazel and then I apply a lotion for dry skin for the itching it seems to work.

    Reply

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