Can You Wear Compression Socks To Bed?

Are you fed up with having swollen ankles after a long day? Well, compression socks offer relief by squeezing your legs for better blood flow. You must have read about their usage during the day; what about at night? Can you wear compression socks to bed?

Function Of Compression Socks

Their main responsibility is to improve blood circulation in the legs and feet during activity. Therefore, compression socks are not needed to wear to bed while lying down or sleeping.

Compression socks are specialized hosiery that apply gentle pressure to your lower legs and ankles to facilitate proper blood circulation back to the heart. These stockings compress leg tissues and veins to reduce swelling, inflammation, and blood pooling in the lower extremities.

This betterment of blood flow relieves discomfort, prevents blood clots from forming, and reduces the risk of conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Other than that, compression socks manage orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon standing) and relieve pain associated with varicose veins.

Many athletes wear compression socks to enhance blood flow and oxygen delivery during their intense workouts and post-workout recovery and to reduce muscle fatigue.

Can You Wear Compression Socks To Sleep?

Wearing compression socks to bed is not necessary. Some advocate their use and while others caution against it. With many advantages, there are some drawbacks to their prolonged continuous use.

One of the concerns is that these compression socks (under normal conditions) cause discomfort, skin irritation, and even infections if worn for too long (during sleep) or at the wrong pressure level.

However, in case you have a medical condition, such as varicose veins, compression socks can be beneficial to minimize swelling and improve circulation. The key is to choose those compression stockings that are specifically designed for nighttime use.

Moreover, compression socks are quite fruitful for athletes and individuals who spend long hours on their feet. Wearing them reduces muscle soreness and improves circulation. However, for regular people, the benefits of wearing compression socks to bed are not as obvious.

Potential Risks Of Wearing Them To Bed

1. Cutting off circulation: Compression socks that do not fit properly can prevent proper circulation of blood in the legs, which can be harmful.
2. Skin scratching and bruising: They can cause chafing, cuts, scrapes, and bruises when worn for long hours, specifically in those people who have dry or sensitive skin.
3. Itching and irritation: Compression socks aggravate skin irritation and result in itchiness, redness, and temporary dents in the skin.
4. Disrupting circulation when lying down: When you finally decide to lie down on the bed, your body’s circulatory system no longer has to work against gravity. Therefore, the extra pressure from compression socks disrupts flow and causes tingling or numbness.
5. Increased risk of skin infections: Wearing the same compression socks for the entire day leads to bacterial and fungal buildup along with sweat patches, increasing the risk of infections like sores or athlete’s foot.

Closing Note

In a nutshell, although compression socks are beneficial for medical conditions like varicose veins or for athletes, there is no strong evidence stating that compression socks can be worn on the bed, too. If you need help or want to learn more about this, contact Dr. Rajesh Ramineni, a 5-star rated cardiologist in The Woodlands, certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in the field of Echocardiography at Healthy Living Heart and Vein, to deal with your needs. You can consult us at (936) 978-0466 to schedule an appointment. Your health is our priority, and we are ready to assist you in every way possible.