From sports injuries to pregnancy swelling, compression socks are extremely helpful. They exert a steady amount of pressure that provides support and increases blood circulation.
But it’s also this steady pressure that can be dangerous, especially if you’re wearing compression socks for most of, or all of, the day.
Today, we’ll consider if you can wear compression socks all day, what issues might influence this answer, and discuss why going beyond the compression time limit can be dangerous.
What this article covers:
Is It Safe to Wear Compression Socks All Day?
Whether you want to wear compression socks to bed or need all-day support, we’ve all thought about putting our compression socks on and just leaving them on. But we’ve also heard traditional wisdom on the dangers of compression sock strength.
Luckily, you can wear compression for long periods. In fact, it’s better to wear compression socks longer because that’s when we reap the health benefits. It’s especially helpful with long days on our feet when we enjoy the most support from compression socks.
However, we do not recommend wearing compression socks all day–throughout the day and night.
First off, compression socks don’t have much to do at night. At night our blood circulates a lot better because there isn’t as much of a gravitation downward drag. Unless you have a doctor’s order to sleep with the socks on, it won’t help much.
Second, with less movement at night, a tight compression sock could cut off valuable circulation.
And, lastly, our skin is an organ. And like any organ, it needs time to breathe. So, whether you are wearing compression socks or stockings, it’s better to give your legs and feet time to breathe. If you still need support but want a more breathable material during compression sock breaks, swap them out for these black grip socks.
As with all things, some conditions can influence a decision. Here are a few things to consider when choosing whether or not to wear your compression socks all day.
The MmHg Grade
Compression socks are measured with the mmHg system, which ranks from 8 to 50 mmHg with 8 being the loosest compression grip and 50 being the firmest compression grip.
If you wear compression socks that are low to medium grip you don’t have to think too much about the length of time you wear the sock. They don’t excerpt enough pressure to cause severe issues and are safe for long-term wear.
A firm compression grip, on the other hand, can be dangerous if worn all day. Especially if it isn’t the right fit. If you want to learn more, we have a compression sock measurement guide to help you choose the right sock for you.
Injury Severity
This consideration is the opposite of the one above. If you’re wearing compression socks to help an injury or to manage a wound, you don’t want to remove the sock before it has time to make a difference.
If you have a more severe injury, it would be better to wear the compression sock for a longer period, maybe even all day. Of course, it’s always better to consult your doctor. This leads us to our next point.
Doctor’s Orders
Finally, compression socks are used for severe medical issues like post-surgery care and deep vein thrombosis, to name a few. These are dangerous issues that should be treated with professional care.
If your doctor ordered you to wear your compression socks all day, then wear the compression socks all day. Your doctor is aware of your unique situation and will provide specific medical advice for your needs.
Can Wearing Compression Socks Too Long Be Dangerous?
Compression socks can be dangerous. they usually aren’t dangerous by themselves but rather because the sock isn’t the right one for you.
Right Size
If the socks aren’t the right size, it will be hard to put compression socks on the right way. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if you need to sock to improve very necessary circulation.
Right MmHg
Another issue that can cause issues is when the compression sock isn’t the right mmHg. As mentioned earlier, the higher the mmHg the more pressure it exerts. If you wear high mmHg socks all day when you don’t need that high pressure, it could put too much pressure and cause pain.
Right Type
Finally, it’s important to get the right sock type.
If you’re getting compression socks for the elderly, zipper compression socks for seniors will be safer to wear and easier to remove. They aren’t likely to get stuck with compression socks they can’t remove.
If you’re an athlete in need of basic support, low to medium-compression socks with grip, like these grip compression socks, will be your best bet.
Conclusion
Compression socks are immensely helpful and it’s only natural to want to wear them longer. But the worry that continuous pressure can cause problems has left many people without the benefits of long-term wear.
Fortunately, this guide will help you make informed choices when wearing your compression socks. When you consider all these things and purchase compression socks that are the right mmHg, the right size, and the right type, you can wear your compression socks for longer without worry.
Did our blog meet your needs? You might also find our other guides helpful:
- How Tight Should Compression Socks Be?
- How Long Does It Take for Compression Socks to Work?
- Wearing Compression Socks Too long
- Best Compression Socks
- How Long to Wear Compression Socks for
- Compression Socks vs Sleeves
- What Do Compression Socks Do?
- Socks as Gifts
- Best Sock Material
- What Are Ankle Socks?
- How to Wear Grip Socks
- Running Socks: Women
- Do Running Socks Make a Difference?
- Best Walking Socks
- Best Walking Socks (Women's)
