Summer Compression Wear Survival Tips
It’s 101 in the shade, and you’ve just been told you need to wear compression hose or socks before your vein treatment. Or maybe you just had a vein treatment and are required to wear compression tights post-treatment.
Say what???
First of all, don’t panic. You’re definitely doing the right thing. By taking care of your leg vein issues now, you are taking control of the vein disease that’s been dogging you and making you feel miserable before it progresses further.
So good on you for taking this very important step to get your health back.
Why do I need to wear compression socks or hose?
Vein disease is a progressive medical condition, therefore, most vein treatments are covered by insurance. That’s a good thing.
That said, most insurance companies require a “waiting period,” which requires the insured patient to undergo “conservative treatment” – which includes wearing compression tights or socks for a certain period of time (waiting periods vary from insurance to insurance. Our Hamilton Vein Center insurance specialists will work with you and your insurance company to ensure your treatment(s) is/are covered, if waiting times are involved, and to make the entire process as streamlined and smooth as possible). However, there are a few insurance companies that don’t require any waiting period – so you just may be one of those lucky ducks.
Compression tights and socks are required wear for everyone who undergoes any type of vein treatment. Even patients who have received sclerotherapy treatment (for the cosmetic removal of spider veins). Post-treatment compression therapy is very key to the recovery process.
Compression aids recovery by reducing swelling and bruising, in addition to putting the squeeze on any soreness. Medical-grade compression puts just the right amount of pressure on the leg muscles to help pump blood from the leg veins back up towards the heart. After a treatment, the blood traveling through your legs is being rerouted to healthier, deeper leg veins – and compression helps with the traffic flow of blood, so to speak. Healthy blood flow means faster, more productive healing.
Vein disease doesn’t care if it’s 101 outside.
Like we mentioned earlier, vein disease is progressive medical condition that doesn’t take breaks during the Texas summer. Matter of fact, veins take even more of a hit in the summer because heat causes them to dilate, further weakening already weak veins. So wearing compression hose or socks is actually a smart thing to do to ward off leg swelling and vein dilation.
If you’re not going through conservative treatment or post-treatment healing, than experiment with lower mmHg (what the heck is mmHg?) medical grade compression hose or socks until you hit on one that’s comfortable, yet doing its job well.
MEDI, Jobst, AmesWalkers, CEP and Storgis all have nice lines of medical-grade compression wear.
How to make the most of summer compression wearing.
First of all, think about how cool it’s going to be when your legs feel better – and look better. Then think about how miserable vein disease has made you. For most vein sufferers, that’s a lot worse than anything Texas heat can throw your way.
Secondly, there are ways to cool down the experience:
- Wear looser, free-flowing, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen
- Consider open-toe compression options (this makes sandal and flip flop-wearing possible)
- Wear lighter colored compression tights or socks
Need some inspiration? Watch this:
Don’t make “well, it’s summer” a reason to put off your vein treatment and allow your vein disease to keep on progressing along. Nip it in the bud now by calling 281-565-0033 (Houston), 512-551-1403 (Austin), 210-504-4304 (San Antonio) to schedule your consultation and vein screening.
For more information on the benefits of compression wear, explore the compression wear-related posts on hamiltonvein.com.
