Children's Community Nursing Service, Richmond
Why compression treatment is needed
Veins carry blood back to your heart.
Healthy leg veins have one-way valves that help stop blood flowing back down towards your feet.
You have been assessed as having high blood pressure in your leg veins (called ‘venous hypertension’).
This is caused by the valves in the veins in your legs not working well. This can increase your risk of swelling in your lower legs and leg ulcers.
You will be advised to wear compression stockings:
- if you have had a leg ulcer that was successfully treated with compression bandaging
- if you are at risk of developing a leg ulcer
- if you have leg swelling.
You will have to continue wearing the stockings for the rest of your life. If you do not, it is likely that the original condition may return.
How treatment works
Compression stockings or socks are sometimes called compression ‘hosiery’.
These help the return of blood from your lower legs up towards your heart. They support the leg and reduces the size of the veins, so that the valves in the veins can close again.
Wearing compression stockings will prevent new varicose veins and control the high blood pressure in your leg veins.
Your nurse has measured you for the stockings. There are different strengths giving different levels of support. What you are prescribed will depend on how much compression you can tolerate.
Looking after the stockings
You should replace the stockings every 3 to 6 months, depending on the make that you wear.
It is also important that you have regular assessments to check that there are no changes in your circulation. Your nurse will tell you how often this should be. It may be every 3, 6 or 12 months.
Look after the skin
Use a mild moisturiser every day. This is to keep the skin soft and prevent dryness.
Epimax is recommended. Do not use perfumed products as you may become allergic to them. This can make the skin itchy and red.
Apply the moisturiser with a downward motion to prevent blocking the hair follicles. Wait until the skin is dry before putting the stockings on. This is because a build-up of cream on the stockings can damage the fabric.
Putting the stocking on
Compression stockings should be worn every day to be effective.
They should be put on first thing in the morning before your leg starts to swell. Take it off last thing at night. If you are unable to remove them every day you may leave them on, but they do need to be changed every week.
Steps to putting a stocking on:
- Remove your watch and any jewellery so that they do not snag on the stocking.
- Turn the stocking inside out.
- Pull the toe of the stocking back inside the leg, up to the heel.
- Pull the stocking onto the foot, adjusting the heel to fit.
- Pull the stocking over the heel and smooth it over the ankle.
- Ease the remaining stocking up your leg, smoothing out any wrinkles.
Do not pull hard on the stocking or tug it from the ankle. This may stretch or tear the fabric, making it too loose.
These stocking can be tricky to get on! Wearing rubber gloves helps you grip the fabric. Stocking applicators, such as an Actiglide or Medi Butler, can also help.
Looking after the stockings
You must follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to wash your stockings.
If you are not sure, wash them by hand in warm water with non-biological soap powder.
Let them dry naturally. Do not dry them in the sun or on a radiator as this may damage the elastic fibres and reduce the effectiveness of it.
General advice
- Raise your legs when you sit or rest.
- You can remove stockings at night when your legs are elevated in bed.
- Report any new wounds or skin changes (such as redness or itching) to your GP or nurse straight away.
- Short, frequent walks are recommended to encourage the blood flow in your legs.
- Do not sit with your legs or ankles crossed since this may restrict blood flow.
- If your legs ache, do not remove your stockings. Walk around for a while. This may relieve the sensation.
- Continue to walk as much as you can.
- Do your ankle exercises several times a day.
- Replace your stockings as often as instructed.
Related leaflets
Contact information
Tissue Viability Service
Teddington Health and Social Care Centre
Queen’s Road
TW11 0LR
Telephone:
020 8714 4085 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
If you have any concerns out of hours:
- phone 111 for advice
- speak to your GP
- or attend Teddington Urgent Treatment Centre