How to Choose Hosiery for Spider Veins

Wearing hosiery can make a big difference in how your legs feel. Spider veins often cause swelling and pain, both of which can be helped by wearing the right type of hosiery. If you have never worn special hosiery before, though, you may be lost as to what exactly you should choose.

Instructions

1. Choose hosiery that fits snugly. The tighter it is, the more it will compress the veins and relieve pain and discomfort. If you are of average weight, choosing a size smaller than what you should actually wear may do the trick. If you are overweight, hosiery one size smaller may not fit around the waist and thighs, so you would be better off buying compression stockings.

2. Choose compression hosiery if you have a serious problem with spider veins or if regular hosiery doesn't offer enough support and relief. Compression hosiery is specially formulated to relieve pain, prevent the formation of more spider veins and reduce swelling. It is usually available through specialty retailers or online.

3. Buy dark hosiery to help you hide the problem. This is great way to cover up when you want to wear skirts or don't feel like applying special leg makeup. Black or dark tan hosiery are the best choices for hiding obvious spider veins, but other colors may work as well, as long as they are not sheer or see-through.

4. Read the packaging carefully. Some companies sell hosiery in more than one level of compression. The most common types of hosiery are mild compression for people who have small spider veins and want to prevent the formation of new ones, and high compression for people who have more serious problems and symptoms, like pain and swelling.

5. Shop at specialty stores. Rather than buying hosiery at your local pharmacy, look into online retailers or medical stores that sell specialized items or equipment for people with medical issues. This will guarantee the quality of the item you buy and allow you to get answers from somebody who understands your specific problem.

Tips & Warnings

• Hosiery made especially for problems like spider veins tend to be expensive. If you find something that is surprisingly cheap, it may indicate low quality or not enough compression to provide medical-level relief.

• If you have never bought compression hosiery before, it may be too hard to shop online, as the measurements tend to vary from regular hosiery. It may be better to stop by a local medical supply store beforehand to get accurate measurements.