At all stages of varicose veins, compression hosiery can be a real salvation. Anti-varicose stockings can completely replace the elastic bandages that were previously used to create pressure on the superficial veins. There is no longer any need to demonstrate to everyone that you have leg problems. Compression stockings visually do not differ from ordinary ones, but they perfectly fulfill the function assigned to them.
Who prescribes compression stockings?
Many people are accustomed to prescribing treatment for themselves, guided by the advice of neighbors or intrusive television advertising. This is fundamentally the wrong approach to your health! Only a qualified doctor, and not a neighbor or the seller of the nearest pharmacy, can correctly assess the condition of the patient and choose a set of medical procedures for him.
If you have pain and heaviness in your legs, swelling, burning or a sensation of a warm wave along the veins, darkening or tightening of the skin on the lower leg, you should consult a phlebologist for advice. It is this specialist who is involved in the treatment and prevention of venous diseases. Independently, without an appointment, you can buy stockings or socks, the compression ratio of which is less than 18 mm RT. Art. Such underwear has only a preventive purpose.
Compression stockings: types
Anti-varicose stockings are not chosen for beauty, color and shape, although no one claims that it does not matter. The main indicator when choosing is the degree of elasticity and compression. The height of the stocking and the compression class should correspond to the stage of varicose expansion. Particular benefits of compression underwear can be felt in the early stages of the disease.
Stockings can be of different heights: to the knee, above the knee (upper thigh), to the waist. The height depends on the location of varicose veins and the neglect of the disease. In addition, compression underwear is divided into male and female. The stocking itself can be with the whole toe and heel part or have an open toe and heel.
For men, anti-varicose stockings are available in dense leggings, knee-length and waist-length, in the form of tights on both legs or on one leg with a wide elastic band.
Points of sale
Do not look for medical underwear in ordinary retail outlets. Compression stockings should be sold in specialized stores or in the pharmacy chain. In this case, the manufacturer can guarantee an individual approach to the selection of medical underwear and compliance with the parameters stated on the package.
Classification
Anti-varicose stockings have a different compression class:
- Grade 1 - exposure to 21 mm RT. Art. They are prescribed for the initial manifestations of the disease, which are expressed in the appearance of capillary "stars", pain and severity.
- For class 2, leg compression from 22 to 32 mmHg is permissible. Art. Anti-varicose stockings (compression class 2) are prescribed for moderate varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.
- Stockings of class 3 compress the limb with a force of up to 46 mm RT. Art. Such underwear is prescribed for severe forms of varicose veins, venous insufficiency, circulatory disorders due to damage to the peripheral nerves.
- Grade 4 is the maximum. The force in this case is more than 50 mm RT. Art. Such stockings are not often prescribed, mainly with a severe course of varicose veins and impaired lymph flow.
Product pricing depends on the brand, material use and compression class.
Brand Ergoforma
Ergoforma anti-varicose stockings are one of the best brands on the market today. All products are of high quality, attractive appearance and pronounced medical effect. They allow you to pay sufficient attention to the health of the legs without affecting the appearance. Stockings are available in black and beige.
If your choice is Ergoform manufacturer, anti-varicose stockings will meet European quality requirements. Products for women are made from combined synthetic materials. This is a mixture of polyamide with elastane. Openwork elastic band for fixation on the upper thigh - silicone. The toe is closed so that the product can be worn with shoes.
Cloth for models honeycomb (cellular). This allows you to qualitatively maintain the required compression class. Thanks to a special method of weaving and dyeing, the products do not externally differ from standard stockings, and have an extended service life.
Sizing
Compression stockings do not correspond to the standardized sizes of regular underwear. Before buying, you must make special measurements. It should be borne in mind that each manufacturer has its own dimensional grid.
Most often you need to know:
- your shoe size;
- circumference of the tibia above the bone;
- circumference in the widest part of the tibia;
- circumference in a wide part of the thigh;
- height from thigh to heel.
The Ergoform brand, for example, produces anti-varicose stockings, the sizes of which are indicated by numbers from 1 to 6.
Proper care
In order for the products to perform healing functions and serve for a long time, they must be properly looked after. Compression knitwear is washed daily and always by hand. Machine wash for these products is not permitted.
Gentle detergents are used for washing. Water temperature is not higher than 30 ° . Bleaches and conditioners for compression garments should not be used.
After washing, the anti-varicose stockings do not twist, but are slightly wrung out. Next, the laundry is laid out on a flat, solid surface, away from direct sunlight and electric heaters.
It is not recommended to wet silicone rubber during washing; wipe it with a weak alcohol solution as it becomes dirty.
Compression stockings prescribed by a phlebologist for medical reasons are worn daily for several months. So that they have time to dry after washing, you need to buy 2 or more pairs.