FAQ for the user
The Frequently Asked Questions, or FAQ. On this page, you’ll find a list of the most frequently asked questions by stocking wearers. Also check out our regular five tips on using and caring for stockings here. If you have questions about wearing stockings and they are not listed here? If so, contact your hosiery adviser.
General
The lifespan of a stocking is six months. This is the reason you will be reimbursed two pieces or two pairs of stockings per year by the health insurance company. Once you receive the new stockings, the idea is to start wearing both new stockings right away. The stockings from the previous year no longer provide the optimal pressure and, as a result, have lost much of their therapeutic value. The danger of continuing to wear the old stockings is that the leg symptoms may return. So throw away the stockings from the year before. This may just go in the trash.
When you are lying down, the pressure in the arteries is a lot lower than when you are in a standing position. The external pressure provided by a stocking then becomes relatively high compared to the internal pressure in the arteries. When wearing stockings at night, blood flow could be hindered. However, this only applies if you wear stockings because of vein problems. If you suffer from lymphedema or lipedema, you may feel free to wear stockings at night as well.
When you go to your stocking gauge, you need to make sure you have your stockings on. Your stockings will keep your arm or leg thin, giving your measurer a more realistic picture of your arm or leg measurements. Findings regarding your previous stockings can be discussed with the stocking measurer.
Therapeutic elastic stockings are not meant to make your arm or leg thinner, but to prevent them from getting thicker. If there is (a lot of) fluid in your arm or leg, elastic stockings cannot be fitted properly. Your arm or leg must therefore first be bandaged for some time to obtain the minimum measurements. Various types of materials can be used for this. For short-term bandages, ordinary bandages are generally used. If it is anticipated that bandages will be required for more than three weeks, bandages closed with Velcro can be used. The VaroCare is ideally suited for this purpose. This bandage allows you to remain independent during the bandaging process.
Your doctor will determine, depending on your clinical picture and possibly in consultation with your stocking specialist, which type or type of stocking is most suitable for you. Also taken into account are things like your strength, flexibility and the size or shape of your arm or leg.
No, your stocking gauge should always measure all the measurements of your arm or leg. After the measurement, these measurements are compared with the size ranges of the type of stocking deemed most suitable for you. If it turns out that your measurements correspond to a ready-to-wear size, the stocking does not need to be specially tailored. A big advantage of this is that you often get your stockings faster.
Vein and lymphatic disorders are chronic conditions. This means that you have to wear your therapeutic elastic stockings permanently, except in the following cases: after pregnancy (up to ± six weeks after delivery), after thrombosis in the leg (usually two years) and after sclerosing or other varicose vein surgery (a few weeks). If you have to wear your stockings because of edema caused by being overweight, the stockings may no longer be needed after you lose weight.
Donning and doffing
Wearing special rubber grip gloves when putting on and taking off your stocking(s) will give you more grip and prevent you from pulling too hard on the stocking. You also prevent damaging the stockings with your nails or jewelry (ladder prevention). Using these grip gloves, you can, with less effort, spread the stocking well over your leg or arm without having to grip it. Check with your supplier for options.
Yes, putting on stockings is extra light when you use an attraction tool made of tarpaulin that is slid over the foot, then the stocking is pulled on over it. These slip pockets can be purchased from your stocking adjuster. Varodem provides a free slip-on sock with each open-toe stocking, which makes it easier to slide your stockings over your foot and heel. With this sock, the stocking can be put on with much less force. A stocking with a seam pulls on easier than a stocking without a seam. If you have reduced strength or cannot reach your feet, an occupational therapist can advise you on using arm extension devices.
Care and maintenance of stockings
- Avoid pulling on the hem of the stocking. Rather, slap the stocking back and pull on a double layer of fabric further up the stocking and then slap the cuff back.
- Wear well-fitting shoes with smooth insoles. Also make sure the edges of orthotics are not sharp.
- Wear a protective sock, pantyhose or sneaker sock over your stocking. This will prevent wear on the bottom of the stocking. If wear has occurred because the stocking is not protected then your stocking is not eligible for repair or replacement.
- Be careful of sharp nails and jewelry. These can damage the stockings. Therefore, use Varodem grip gloves when putting on and taking off your stockings.
- Do not use body lotion or other greasy creams or ointments. Grease can affect your stocking. However, you can safely use Varodem Aloe Vera Gel.
Wash your stocking as often as possible (at least three times a week) in lukewarm soapy water or on a wool or delicate cycle at 40° in the washing machine (but do not spin on high speed or tumble dry). Your stocking will only improve from washing.
A silicone band is a special band at the top of your elastic stocking provided with an anti-slip layer with silicone nubs. To keep this band in good condition, which is very important for its lifespan and good grip on the skin, it is important to clean it regularly with water and (hand) soap. In this way, skin flakes and skin oils have no chance to settle between the silicone nubs.
Much of Varodem’s stocking assortment consists of stockings that contain natural rubber. Natural rubber, also called latex, is sensitive to fats, oils, ointments and body lotions. So how do you know if your stocking is grease and/or ointment resistant? The label inside your stocking will tell you if the stocking contains natural rubber (elastodiene). Varodem has a special skin-caring gel in its range that you can use under your elastic stockings without any problems. Varodem Aloe Vera Gel can be purchased at your stocking counter.
Body and skin
People with vein problems in the legs often suffer from dry skin. The reason for this is that due to reduced blood flow, the outer layers of skin often do not receive enough nutritional steam. Wearing therapeutic elastic stockings also makes the skin drier. You can take care of your skin with special care creams. Preferably do this in the evening, after removing the stockings. In the morning, make sure that no cream or ointment remains on your leg when you put on the stockings. These affect the stockings. Therefore, remove any cream or ointment residue with water and mild, skin-friendly soap. You can also rub your legs or arm several times a day (morning and evening) with Varodem Aloe Vera Gel. This gel does not affect the stocking.
Proper foot care is important to prevent wounds, inflammation or fungus. Take care of your feet in the following way:
- Wash feet daily with lukewarm water (too hot water increases the risk of edema).
- Do not use too much soap.
- Wash the entire foot. Don’t forget the space between the toes.
- Do not take prolonged foot baths; this softens the skin.
- Do not use hard brushes or harsh products.
- Dry the entire foot thoroughly, especially the space between the toes.
- Take care of your feet in the evening with cream; this will prevent chapping.
- Do not walk barefoot.
Fit and color stocking
From the time the stocking is delivered, the factory provides a three-month warranty on manufacturing defects and a six-month warranty on functionality. If you detect a defect within these six months, always have your hosiery appraiser review it first. This person will probably take a picture of the stocking and send it to the factory for review. Do not repair your stockings yourself; this may compromise quality and function. In addition, after repairing them yourself, any warranty rights will be voided.
Knee stockings
Rule is: pulling up the stockings up to four times a day is normal. If this has to be done more often or if the stockings are already hanging halfway down the leg after half an hour, then it is wise to find another solution with the stocking gauge. The cause of stockings sagging is usually a very straight or flared shape of the lower leg. The stockings then cannot stay on the calf. Wearing the stocking causes it to sag a little after a few days. After washing, the stocking regains its shape and is therefore less likely to sag. We recommend washing your stockings as often as possible (at least three times a week).
Groin stockings
The shape of an upper leg is practically always flared. This makes it difficult to keep stockings in place. The stockings are elastic and want to sink down under the influence of pulling forces and muscle action during movement. A silicone band can only hold the stocking up when it “grabs” onto firm tissue. If the thigh tissue is too weak, another method of attachment will have to be chosen. Possible alternatives are: stockings with a hip piece, tights, TinkFit or Curetex compression pants. Sometimes sagging can be prevented by choosing another type of stocking with more length elasticity. Varodem skin glue can also provide a solution in some cases.
Some legs are shaped in such a way that the stockings prefer to come together at the level of the instep and ankle, resulting in possible constrictions. To prevent this, you can use special padding materials. With proper donning and distribution of the fabric of the stocking, you can also prevent wrinkles and constrictions. A different type of stocking may possibly reduce or resolve these symptoms.
Replacing your therapeutic elastic stockings in a timely manner is very important. Old elastic stockings have lost much of their pressure from frequent wear and thus their therapeutic value. New stockings feel tighter because they always provide optimal pressure. Functionality is then guaranteed again.
- You may have rubbed your arm or leg with ointment and/or cream and grease has affected the stockings. Also, the stockings may have been washed too hot or dried too hot. This causes the stockings to lose pressure fairly quickly.
- Another possibility is that your arm or leg was measured when there was still moisture in it. The elastic stockings are then knitted according to excessively large circumferences and fit at first, but due to their action push the moisture away rather quickly. As the legs become thinner, the stockings supplied are proportionally too large. It is important to realize that stockings that do not fit properly cannot do their job.
No, this is definitely not allowed because it causes congestion. Your stocking reduces the pressure in the leg in the direction from the ankle to the knee so that the blood in the veins is moved in the right direction (the heart). If you wrap the top edge of the stocking, the pressure is greatly increased locally. This is also why there should never be folds in an elastic stocking (you have to smooth them out). So you should never fold the edge! Often stockings are not too long, but are pulled up too high. When putting on the stocking, do not pull too hard and spread it well over the leg. If this doesn’t help, return to the adjuster for advice.
Therapeutic elastic stockings are not always beautiful, but they are indispensable for your health. By wearing a nice colored or fancy tights/knee socks over your stockings every day, you create a different stocking every day that you can match to your clothing.
Leisure
Yes, you can, but you don’t have to. The material of your elastic stockings is resistant to sea or chlorinated water to a limited extent. However, you can safely go swimming without stockings because the external pressure of the water on the legs replaces the pressure of the stockings. After swimming, you then immediately put the stockings back on. To make putting on the stockings easier, you can spread a little talcum powder on your dried legs.
Yes, especially when the weather is hot, your veins need the support of your stockings extra badly. The heat causes the leg vessels to dilate, making it more difficult for the correct flow of blood toward the heart. More fluid can leave the veins and your ankles and legs will become much thicker without the support of the stockings. So the warmth actually makes wearing elastic stockings necessary. To relieve the warm feeling of the stockings on the skin, you can moisten the stockings with the plant spray, for example.
No, you definitely should not! No two legs are the same shape (size and length) or affected to the same degree. In fact, your left and right leg may differ in size from each other! So your friend’s stockings will either pinch on your leg (with all the dangers that entails) or be too loose and therefore not do their job properly. It is important, however, that you wear elastic stockings during that long trip. Consult your stocking gauge for stockings specifically suited for your legs.
Living rules
- Wear good, non-shrinking shoes.
- Avoid constricting stockings and pant legs.
- Do not wear shoes with high heels. High heels interfere with proper foot settlement, reducing the action of the “lymph pump.”
- Never walk barefoot (even at home), but always wear footwear, pantomels or bathing slippers.
- Avoid prolonged standing and sitting.
- During sleep and rest periods, put the leg up.
- Avoid excessive heat and cold. Both lead to increased blood flow and enlargement of edema.
- Try not to strain the arm too much; normal exercise and light sports are fine.
- Avoid excessive heat and cold.
- Beware of hot showers/baths, sauna visits and prolonged sunbathing.
- When doing housework, do not use water that is too hot.
- Be careful when using steam (e.g., draining vegetables).
- Do not use heat packs, jar or “cherry pit” on arm/shoulder.
- Grease the skin regularly to prevent chaps and broken cuticles.
- For underarm hair removal, use a cream (no blades).
- Do not wear squeezing clothes, sleeve holders, watches and jewelry, which impede the drainage of lymph fluid.
- Use your healthy arm to carry bags, for example.
- At rest, place your arm on a pillow; this prevents gravity from putting additional strain on your forearm and hand.
- Try sleeping with a pillow under your arm.
Pressure of stocking
Your stocking gauge is right, assuming your current stocking is properly fitted. The pinching feeling is caused by moisture still forming under your current stocking. The stocking is not strong enough to keep the moisture away. A heavier stocking (with more pressure) will keep the moisture out of your arm or leg and will not give you the same pinching feeling.
The symptoms you describe arise because your ankle is not nicely rounded. The Achilles tendon protrudes and immediately next to it are two hollow areas. The stocking gives the highest pressure on the protruding part, in this case the Achilles tendon. It is best to fill the spaces next to the Achilles tendon with padding material(VaroPad) to make the whole thing nicely round. Then the pressure given by the stocking will be evenly distributed and your Achilles tendon will no longer become red and painful. For additional instructions, consult your stocking gauge.
A properly fitted stocking, which fits properly around the leg or arm, can still crease in the knee or elbow socket despite everything. This can be accompanied by irritation. The more fabric accumulates in the cavities, the higher the pressure becomes locally and the greater the chance of developing irritation. Therefore, always return to your stocking specialist for advice. In some cases, it may help to place padding material(VaroPad) under the stocking.
Skin reactions
Heat management may be disturbed because stockings empty the small superficial skin vessels. This does no harm to your legs or blood circulation. Moving well, fitting shoes or wiggling your toes can help reduce the cold.
The band may be too tight on it causing pinching, or you may still have fluid in your arm or leg. The required width of a silicone band on an elastic stocking is calculated very precisely at the factory. To prevent congestion, the band should definitely not be too tight. The appearance of pitting in the skin is often caused by the pressure of the silicone nubs on the skin. Assuming you have no other complaints from this, it can do no harm. You will find that they will simply disappear the next day or even earlier. If this bothers you a lot, you can wear your stocking inside out, with the silicone nubs on the outside. If your stocking then stays on, you can tell your measurer the next time you need stockings. A stocking without a silicone band or with an elastic band can then be ordered.
After taking off your elastic stockings, the small superficial skin vessels fill with blood again. This may cause short-term itching. This usually disappears on its own. If necessary, use menthol powder or Varodem
Putting on your stockings when you just get out of the shower or get out of the bath may be difficult. In that case, use a little talcum powder to dry your feet and legs. Sprinkle a little talcum powder in your hands, rub them together and then rub the talcum powder all over your feet and legs so that a thin layer forms evenly. You will find that this makes putting on the stocking easier. Note: Too much talcum powder on the skin may damage the rubber thread in the stocking.
You probably think this is because of wearing your stockings. In many cases, corns occur because you wear shoes that are a little too narrow, especially if the edge of the stocking ends at the first phalanx. One tip is to pull the stocking all the way over the little toe and wear shoes with a wider last. Pushing the stocking back to the beginning of the little toe can cause the stocking to creep up and you will suffer from wrinkling on the instep. You can have the corn itself removed at a pedicure. There are also special circles that can be worn under the stocking on the corn.