Traveling to different places is quite fun, it is increasingly rewarding. But traveling comes with its own set of disadvantages.
Traveling can be tiresome especially the long ones where you are immobile continuously for hours. Immobility and inability to move freely takes a tough toll from your legs.
Traveling increases the susceptibility of irregularities in the blood circulation leading to several problems ranging from mild swelling to severe Deep vein thrombosis. Those who have to travel regularly are the most affected. It is irritating to reach your destination and find your ankles swollen to almost double the normal size or to find your legs aching like anything.
Nobody wants to bear this pain but as we mentioned sitting in confined spaces for a long duration, without any proper movement of the legs will have some negative effects. They may be subdued in the short duration traveling, but when you are traveling for 7-8 hours or more such conditions are natural to occur.
What is compression socks for travel:
Compression socks for travel are pairs of socks made out of tight-fitting material that is meant to impart constant pressure on your legs while you are traveling. Compression socks are made of certain fabric that tends to regain its shape when stretched, so in the quest of regaining its normal stature, they provide pressure on the calves and ankles.
The pressure imparted depends on the compression ratings of the socks which we have discussed in the article later.
Wearing the best compression socks for flying will provide you a stringent safeguard against post flying swelling and aching.
What is the need to wear compression socks while traveling?
Your mind must be flooding with questions like
- Why at all to wear compression socks for travel?
- What benefits will I get wearing compression socks for travel?
- Do compression socks for long flights work?
We will look to answer all such questions for you!
traveling results in making you immobile until you reach your designed destination. Sitting in compromised spaces during the traveling adds up to this problem.
Wearing compression socks for travel is a preventive measure against problems like swelling, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, the most painful, and feared medical condition related to traveling.
The World Health Organization quotes that people going for flights over 4 hours are at risk of blood clots, accordingly they are advised to wear compression socks for long flights.
Relief in swelling:
Compression socks for travel are aimed at reducing the swelling which causes the most discomfort while traveling. This swelling can be a result of inactivity in the legs for long durations, keeping the legs in bend position while sitting, and crossing the legs while sitting.
While flying it can be a result of changes in air pressure, and consumption of sodium-rich foods.
Compression socks for travel will hasten the blood circulation, and keep the flow of blood maintained at a decent level, ensuring that there is no room for blood clots.
Best compression socks for swelling will also make sure that there is no fluid build-up in the veins that can give rise to swelling.
Combating against varicose veins and leg ulcers:
Though you cannot ask for a complete treatment of varicose veins and leg ulcers if you have a prolonged history of suffering. Still, compression socks for varicose veins come in handy to mitigate the aching, swelling, and loads of discomfort that often comes with varicose veins. Compression socks for travel will regulate the condition of varicose veins from getting any worse.
Savior against Deep Veins Thrombosis:
For understanding purposes, Deep veins thrombosis is a type of blood clot. But it is a very dangerous one, that can even prove to be deadly. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot is formed in any of the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis region. Though it can be treated conveniently when diagnosed in the primitive stages.
People are even more susceptible to DVT in long flights as blood pooling in the lower leg region is a favorable condition for deep vein thrombosis.
It can turn out to be deadly when the blood clot so formed flows away with the bloodstream and blocks an artery leading to pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis compression socks are of great help in preventing DVT while traveling. It also takes good care of the pain and swelling that is often accompanied by DVT.
People with the conditions of diabetes, vascular disease, anemia sickle cell, cancer, blood clotting disorders, and pregnant women are at a higher risk of getting deep vein thrombosis. Hence they should look to wear deep vein thrombosis compression socks.
Adds to the comfort level:
traveling for long durations are mostly cumbersome and tiring, people are looking for bits of extra comfort to make their journey a soothing one. Compression socks for travel serve this very purpose for you, they keep your limbs from fatigue and discomfort by making sure the blood circulation is going at a good pace.
Fastens the recovery process:
Your legs are tired and nutrient-and oxygen-depleted blood cells are craving for some relief. Compression socks for travel make sure that oxygen-rich blood is carried to the lower limbs facilitating for the faster recovery of the exhausted muscles. They reduce the time taken by your feet to recover.
When to ask for a doctor's consultation for using compression socks for travel:
Compression socks can be procured without any prescription, you don't necessarily need to consult a doctor before wearing compression socks unless you opt for higher rating compression socks, maybe compression socks 40-50 mmHg.
Compression socks 20-30 mmHg, and lower can be used without any consultation of the doctor.
However, if you are procuring compression socks for travel owing to any medical condition like deep vein thrombosis or varicose veins, ee advise you to have a prior consultation with a physician.
Who should wear compression socks for travel?
On a general basis, every traveler should wear compression socks for travel irrespective of the age-group, and gender. But there are certain people diagnosed with the below-mentioned symptoms who are strongly advised to wear compression socks.
- Pregnant women must wear compression socks for pregnancy as they are at a high risk of blood clots, and varicose veins. Compression socks for women have many fashion compression socks to choose from.
- People suffering from obesity should look for plus size compression socks.
- People with a history of clotting problems should have the company of the best compression socks for traveling.
- Cancer patients, people diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.
- People who have a history of suffering from varicose veins are advised to wear compression socks for varicose veins.
Probable Side-effects that can be encountered wearing compression socks for travel:
Though side effects are very unlikely to occur as compression socks are made to fit perfectly. Still, there can be the possibility of some irregularities while using compression socks for travel, especially compression socks for long flights.
These side effects include:
- Itching and discomfort when worn for long continuous hours.
- loss of blood circulation
- burning or chafing
- Chances of mild bruises and broken skin
These symptoms are less likely to be experienced when compression socks are worn correctly, the size is perfectly fitting, the material is suited according to the conditions. For example, cotton compression socks are advised in summers while wool compression socks for winters are the best suited.
FAQs
1.What level of compression socks do I need for flying?
While flying for long hours ( more than 5 hours) you are advised to wear compression socks for long flights. As sitting in confined spaces will have some effects on your legs. The level of compression depends on the person. A healthy person can wear compression socks under 15mmHg.
While compression socks 15-20 mmHg which is often referred to as mild compression socks are recommended for prevention against starting phases of deep vein thrombosis.
People with a history of suffering against severe deep vein thrombosis, edema, and varicose veins are advised to wear compression socks 20-30 mmHg.
People who have just undergone a surgery or are chronically ill, are advised to consult a doctor and wear compression socks 30-40 mmHg.
- Is it good to wear compression socks while traveling?
Researchers have revealed that wearing compression socks for long traveling have soothing effects on your legs. They help in prevention against deep vein thrombosis which is the most troublesome situation that occurred while traveling. Compression socks for travel have also given relief against swelling, aching, and pain.
- How long should I wear compression socks for travel?
Well, this depends on the individual wearing them, if you are comfortable wearing them and there are no signs of discomfort and itching, then you can consider keeping them on as long as you may like.
Otherwise, if you aren't that comfortable, you can try wearing them for a spell of hours. Be advised to take them off while sleeping.
Remember if you are wearing them on account of a prescription then you should ask your doctor about the time you should keep them on.
4.How to find out if you have chosen the right size?
This can be a tricky aspect especially when compression socks for travel are available in a variety of sizes, and fits. Compression socks are made up of stretchy material that is expected to fit around your legs firmly. The pressure applied should be constant, neither too harsh on the legs nor too gentle, as in both the cases the desired results won't be achieved fully.
So if you feel them too tight or loose on your legs then you have opted for the wrong size. Compression socks for travel should gently hug your legs not choke them out.
Conclusion:
Compression socks for travel come in handy when you are supposed to travel for long durations, may it be a flight or a long road trip. They are of great help when it comes to forestalling pain-filled legs or blood clots from framing. Also, you get the additional advantages of protection against varicose veins, DVT, and a large pool of other dreadful medical conditions when your blood doesn't stream appropriately.