Compression tights are a great alternative to ordinary textiles. In addition to visual appeal and aesthetic appearance, such tights have a direct medical purpose. They can prevent the development of diseases associated with veins, relieve the condition with varicose veins, help in the postoperative period and during pregnancy. How to choose compression tights? You will learn about this from this article.
What is the principle of work
In order to choose the right products, you need to get acquainted with the principle of their work. It should be understood that these products help restore the wrong blood flow in your legs. They help improve blood microcirculation in the limbs, relieve possible venous stasis. Unlike regular nylon tights, they are not measured in denas. As measurements, the position of the mercury column is used.
In the process of everyday wear, these products exert a certain pressure on the skin. Such textiles are put on with effort. It is tight and elastic at the same time.
These features help relieve tension from the legs, relieve them of edema at the end of the day, and improve oxygen access to tissues. Moreover, such products are considered the best prophylaxis of thrombosis. When using textiles, it is possible to protect the veins from expansion. There is a feeling of lightness and the threshold of fatigue decreases. All this can be achieved by correctly selected compression tights. Which are better to choose, read on.
What types of tights are there?
Compression textiles can be orthopedic (medical), prophylactic and hospital. If we talk about preventive stockings, then they are sold without presenting a prescription prescribed by a doctor.
Visually, they are almost no different from ordinary women's nylon tights. They can be worn by anyone who wants to keep their legs in great shape, and those in the family who had people with problem veins. The latter are at risk and need regular preventive measures. But medical stockings without the appointment of a phlebologist and his prescription can not be bought. All people with vein diseases and thrombophlebitis can wear them.
Hospital tights are used in hospitals. They are used in preparation for and after the operation for the purpose of speedy rehabilitation. They have the highest density indicator. Therefore, they can be worn solely by medical prescription.
A few words about the variety of compression
Most specialized textile products have their own compression class. In simple terms, this is a kind of force for pulling tights. How to choose compression tights, knowing their compression class? First, find out what classes the products are divided into.
So, the first class of tights involves compression from 23 mmHg. This type of textile is simply indispensable for people whose activity is associated with constant standing on their feet. Do not do without them, and those with legs appearing "spider veins."
The second class of products is characterized by a compression pressure of 33 mmHg. These products are recommended by doctors for people with thrombophlebitis and varicose diseases of varying degrees, severe swelling of the lower extremities.
Textiles of the third class are characterized by the presence of a compression of 46 mm Hg. These tights are needed for people with pronounced venous insufficiency.
The tights of the fourth group have compression over 50 mmHg. This textile restores lymph circulation and relieves swelling of the legs. All this is very important to know before choosing a compression class for compression tights.
By the way, the product class is usually indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer. If the purchase is made through the online store, you should carefully study the description of the product or ask questions about the tights of a particular compression class to the seller’s company managers.
Class of tights for prevention and sports
In addition to the above classes of compression of textiles, there are tights for prevention, relieving fatigue from the legs during sports. Such stockings have compression up to 18 mmHg.
Is it difficult to get tights?
It is not difficult to purchase products of this type. They are sold in specialized virtual and stationary stores. Moreover, they are in pharmacies. And if the textiles of the first three types of compression are easy to get in the public domain, then to buy the fourth group of stockings you will also need a doctor’s prescription.
As you can see, there are no problems buying ordinary compression tights. How to choose the right size for such products? The wrong size will disappoint the buyer and will not bring the desired effect. Therefore, choose the right size! How to do it?
How to choose the size of compression tights for varicose veins?
The right measurements will help you to choose the right size. Remember, it is best to take appropriate measurements in the morning, immediately after waking up. This can be done using a flexible tape centimeter used in sewing.
In the evening, this should not be done, because at the end of the day, the legs can swell significantly. It is also worth considering the manufacturer's company. It is better to give preference to trusted companies that have proven themselves on the good side. Take into account the type of product model. For example, if you need tight tights, measure not only the hips, but also the waist. But how to choose compression tights, if measurements are already taken?
Tabular sizes of tights
In order to make it easier, a ready-made table with sizes was invented. This makes it easier to find the most suitable option for you. The following parameters are indicated in the table value:
- Ankle girth.
- The circumference of the lower leg.
- Leg in girth (5 cm lower than the knee).
So, if you need to choose the size of compression tights, how to ease your task? Get up in the morning, take a centimeter, pen or pencil, a piece of paper. Measure your ankle in girth. For example, if it is 19-22 cm, the first size will suit you. In this case, the circumference of the lower leg should be - 29-35 cm, and the legs - 25-32 cm.
The second size of tights is necessary if the girth of the ankle is 21-24 cm, the legs are 33-38 cm, and the legs are 30-37 cm. The third size will be needed for people with an ankle girth of 23-26 cm, a girth of the lower leg 36-42 cm, and leg circumference - 35-41 cm.
The fourth size is relevant for holders of the ankle girth of 25-28 cm, the girth of the lower leg is 40-46 cm, and the legs are 38-46 cm. And, finally, to purchase the fifth size you need to have the ankle girth of 27-28 cm, the girth of the lower leg - 44-48 cm and legs - 44-49 cm. Now you know how to choose compression tights, having previously performed preliminary measurements of your ankles, legs and legs.
What other parameters do you need to know to buy?
Sometimes, in addition to the above parameters, other calculations are taken into account when choosing the right size. For example, some manufacturers are urged to measure the circumference of the calf muscle. Before buying products from other manufacturers, you need to know the circumference of the thigh (located about 5 cm from the gluteal fold).
Moreover, in the table values of some manufacturers two girths of the tibia are indicated at once. In such situations, before choosing compression tights for varicose veins (as with thrombophlebitis), it is necessary to measure the narrowest section of the lower leg and the widest.
It is also often necessary to measure the length of the leg. It is measured from the point of thigh circumference to the very heel. Product sizes are often indicated in English letters (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL). For example, at size S, the circumference of the narrow place of the lower leg is 18-21 cm, the circumference of the widest place at the lower leg is 27-30 cm, the circumference of the thigh is 42-45 cm, and the length of the leg is 65-68 cm.
Thus, it will be possible to choose the right compression tights. As in the case with the size of clothes, all the data for choosing stockings is in special dimensional grids. As a rule, they are also indicated on the packaging of tights.
Do I need to know the height and weight of a person when buying?
Some manufacturers offer their customers before choosing tights to measure their height and weight. The ratio of these indicators will help determine the size that you need. This approach is considered not very accurate. However, the parameters corresponding to your height and weight are placed in special size tables. For them to make a choice is much easier.
Briefly about the most famous manufacturers of products
At the moment, there are many manufacturers that produce compression textile products. We will name the most famous among them:
- The famous Italian brand is Relaxsan. According to many buyers, these are good products for a low price. However, they do not differ hard rubber. Therefore, with regular wear, it stretches, and the products begin to slide off the body. After about a couple of months, such tights wear out and are no longer wearable.
- Many know the Spanish company ORTO. She produces pantyhose and stockings that can last 3-4 months. This is a high-quality and body-friendly knitwear. However, as buyers say, it quickly wipes around the fingers.
- Venotex products of the American production have longer term of operation. Such tights can be worn for at least 5-6 months until they completely fail. They are slightly above average.
- German MEDI tights are even more expensive. They look good, have excellent quality and last a long time.
- The products of the Swiss company Sigvaris have proven themselves perfectly. They are expensive, but have high performance properties.
- And finally, Intex is a brand of a domestic manufacturer. Tights are of good quality and last about 10-12 months.
How to choose pregnant?
Compression tights for pregnant women deserve special attention. How to choose them taking into account the characteristics of your body? According to experts, in the absence of obvious problems with the veins during pregnancy, you can wear products of the 1st class. These tights will help relieve the burden from the vessels of the future mother and eliminate swelling in the ankles and lower legs. You can wear them in the first trimester of pregnancy.
During the second and third trimester, continue to wear tights of the 1st class. If you have spider veins or dilated veins, class 2 pantyhose should be purchased.
Pregnant women need to choose pantyhose by performing the above measurements. Remember that tights not of your size do not fit the figure well, hang in folds and are more free.