Flight Socks

How Compression or Flying Socks Work?

Flight travel socks or stockings are specially designed wearable garments. As you wear them, it applies pressure to the legs, calves and feet. The pressure stimulates blood flow, reduces swelling, and prevents the pooling of blood in your legs. They fit snugly against the skin and include stretchable fabric to maintain their shape while providing consistent support.

For those wondering whether flight or compressions are the same, yes, they are. The only difference is how they are marketed and sold. While compression socks are marketed for general use, travel stockings are specifically marketed as flight stockings meant to make the journey comfortable. 

Different Types of Flight and Compression Socks

Flight socks and compression socks may be the same, but they are marketed differently. Hence, you will find different types of these travel stockings:

• Knee-High Medical Compression Socks: These are designed for travellers who are often troubled with higher levels of compression. Hence, these travel stockings are ideal for preventing DVT and can address a wide range of medical needs.
• Standard Flight Socks: A great product for daily use and frequent travel, these socks offer moderate compression, ultimately leading to enhanced comfort.
• Flight and Recovery Socks: A specialised category of socks that cater to post-travel recovery, ensuring refreshed and supported legs. As Discount Chemist, you can find these in three sizes (Small, Medium, and Large). 

Moreover, they offer specialised and area-specific support with varying compression. For instance, you will feel gentle compression in the upper calf area while sitting, and mild compression is felt when standing. In both cases, there will be better blood flow, allowing for more flexibility and comfort during travel. 

• Graduated Compression Socks: This type of travel socks apply the most pressure at the ankle, which gradually decreases as you move up the leg. Hence, they are often used for medical purposes; they require a prescription and professional fitting. These socks are ideal for promoting circulation and reducing swelling.
• Non-Medical Support Hosiery: Featuring more flexibility than the previous compression socks we discussed, they are commonly prescribed to treat tired legs and encourage circulation.
• Anti-Embolism Stockings: A special category of flying socks that are designed to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). These are especially recommended for individuals suffering from limited mobility. To buy them, every pharmacist will require a prescription, which implies they are medicated socks and are tailored for medical needs.

What to Keep in Mind While Buying Flight Stockings?

We discussed how some types of compression socks for flying are medicated and need a doctor’s prescription, while others can be bought as an over-the-counter product. 

While with the medicated ones your doctor will share the necessary instructions for wearing the socks, here are some general precautions you shall take to get the best comfort. 

• Proper Sizing: Always buy socks that have a snugly fit while ensuring they are not overly tight. Ill-fitted socks can impede circulation rather than make it better. So, always consider the size while buying.
  
• Consult a Doctor: For those with a medical condition concerning legs, calves, and feet, or someone with diabetes or severe vascular disease, they must consult a doctor before buying the right socks. This is to ensure that you buy the right type of socks suitable for your needs.
  
• Avoid Wearing them for Too Long: Even during long flights, don’t wear compression socks continuously. Every sock type has a recommended time mentioned on the package, so check it and follow the time limit without removing them for breaks.
  
• Monitor Discomfort: In case there’s pain, numbness, or significant swelling even while wearing the socks, take them off immediately. If you experience mid-flight, ask the stewardess to get a doctor’s help, if the pain is unbearable. 

Are There Any Side Effects of Wearing Compression Socks for Flying?

Our experts agree that there can be some side-effects to wearing this type of socks or stockings. For those who are used to wearing them at home, they can still have some side effects when wearing them on a flight.

The possible side effects are loss of blood circulation, skin burns, chafing, bruises, and even broken skin. 

One of the ways to check whether the socks are suitable for you is to wear them while at home for a couple of days before the flight. If everything is alright, you can wear them without any reservations during a flight. 

At our store, you will get better discounts on compression socks chemists provide otherwise. As a leading online pharmacy store in Australia, we bring the best range of flight stockings for our customers, that too, at heavy discounts. 

Get your pair today and make your next trip easier, comfortable, and painless.