Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow They WorkBenefitsChoosing the Right SocksOther ConsiderationsHow to Wear ThemSide EffectsContraindications"When to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How They Work
Benefits
Choosing the Right Socks
Other Considerations
How to Wear Them
Side Effects
Contraindications
“When to Seek Medical Care
Compression socks can be helpful while flying as they may lower your risk for blood clots—especially if you have circulation or clotting issues. By squeezing the legs, these tight-fitting coverings boost blood circulation, which decreases a person’s chance of leg swelling, pain, and blood clots.
Compression socks come in a variety of fabrics, styles, and compression levels. While they’re generally considered safe, they may cause chafing and itching if they do not fit well. People with peripheral artery disease (PAD) or diabetes should check with their healthcare provider before trying compression socks.
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Types of Compression Socks
Compression socksoffer varying compression levels. They also come in different fabrics and lengths. Based on your needs, your healthcare provider may suggest one of the following types:
Benefits of Compression Socks for Flying
During air travel, you have to sit in one place for an extended period—typically longer than you would otherwise sit throughout the day. This prolonged sitting can affect blood flow throughout the body, raising therisk of blood clots. The risk of a blood clot while flying is a more significant concern during long-distance flights, considered four hours or longer.
Wearing compression socks while flying improves circulation, which helps lower the risk of blood clots. In addition, compression socks may:
A healthcare provider may recommend that you wear compression socks while flying if you:
What Happens When You Wear Compression Socks All Day?
Choosing the Right Compression Socks for Flying
Despite the name, flight socks are the same thing as compression socks—they’re simply marketed toward fliers. So instead of looking for socks geared toward “flying,” focus on their compression level.
How to Stay Comfortable During a Long FlightIn addition to wearing compression socks, try the following to stay comfortable and encourage blood circulation during a long flight:Ask for an aisle seat so it’s easier for you to get up and walk around regularly.Do in-seat exercises to improve circulation, such as ankle circles, leg extensions, lifting your knee toward your chest, and holding it there for 15 seconds.Know the symptoms of ablood clot in the leg, including pain, warmth, and redness.Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol.Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.If you have a heart condition, check with a healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe to fly.
How to Stay Comfortable During a Long Flight
In addition to wearing compression socks, try the following to stay comfortable and encourage blood circulation during a long flight:Ask for an aisle seat so it’s easier for you to get up and walk around regularly.Do in-seat exercises to improve circulation, such as ankle circles, leg extensions, lifting your knee toward your chest, and holding it there for 15 seconds.Know the symptoms of ablood clot in the leg, including pain, warmth, and redness.Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol.Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.If you have a heart condition, check with a healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe to fly.
In addition to wearing compression socks, try the following to stay comfortable and encourage blood circulation during a long flight:
If you have a heart condition, check with a healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe to fly.
Other Considerations When Choosing Compression Socks
Keep these tips in mind when choosing compression socks:
If you wear compression socks regularly—not just while flying—replace them every six months. They lose elasticity over time and become less effective.
How to Wear Compression Socks While Flying
If you’ve settled on a pair of compression socks that suit you, the next thing you’ll want to consider is how to wear them when flying. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
It’s important to wear compression socks that fit properly. If they don’t fit well, or are put on improperly, you may experience some of the following side effects:
Who Should Avoid Compression Socks for Flying?
Compression socks are safe for most people. However, check with a healthcare provider first if you haveperipheral artery disease(PAD) or diabetes.Avoid compression socks if you’re allergic to the material that they’re made from or contain, such as latex.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Let a healthcare provider know if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Summary
Compression socks help encourage blood flow toward the heart. They can reduce the risk of blood clots, leg swelling, and aching while flying.
Compression socks have different compression levels, ranging from a low level if you want extra support to a firm level if you have severe leg pain or previous blood clot problems. Wear well-fitting compression socks to avoid side effects such as redness and chafing.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Compression stockings.Rother U, Grussler A, Griesbach C, Almasi-Sperling V, Lang W, Meyer A.Safety of medical compression stockings in patients with diabetes mellitus or peripheral arterial disease. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020;8(1):e001316.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding your risk for blood clots with travel.Ochsner Health.Who should wear compression socks?Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.Lozo M, Lovričević I, Pavlović Ž, Vrljičak Z.Designing compression of preventive compression stockings.Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics. 2021;16. doi:10.1177/15589250211060406University of Michigan Health.Compression stockings: How to use them.NHS.Varicose veins.Evans NS, Ratchford EV.Vascular Disease Patient Information Page: Compression therapy.Vascular Medicine. 2021;26(3):352-355. doi:10.1177/1358863X211002263Lee Y, Kim K, Kang S, Kim JY, Kim SG, Kim T, Jung J.Compression Stocking Length Effects on Oedema, Pain, and Satisfaction in Nursing Students: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Healthcare (Basel). 2020 May 29;8(2):149. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8020149. PMID: 32486025; PMCID: PMC7349745.NHS.Anti-embolic stockings.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Compression stockings.Rother U, Grussler A, Griesbach C, Almasi-Sperling V, Lang W, Meyer A.Safety of medical compression stockings in patients with diabetes mellitus or peripheral arterial disease. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020;8(1):e001316.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding your risk for blood clots with travel.Ochsner Health.Who should wear compression socks?Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.Lozo M, Lovričević I, Pavlović Ž, Vrljičak Z.Designing compression of preventive compression stockings.Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics. 2021;16. doi:10.1177/15589250211060406University of Michigan Health.Compression stockings: How to use them.NHS.Varicose veins.Evans NS, Ratchford EV.Vascular Disease Patient Information Page: Compression therapy.Vascular Medicine. 2021;26(3):352-355. doi:10.1177/1358863X211002263Lee Y, Kim K, Kang S, Kim JY, Kim SG, Kim T, Jung J.Compression Stocking Length Effects on Oedema, Pain, and Satisfaction in Nursing Students: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Healthcare (Basel). 2020 May 29;8(2):149. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8020149. PMID: 32486025; PMCID: PMC7349745.NHS.Anti-embolic stockings.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Compression stockings.Rother U, Grussler A, Griesbach C, Almasi-Sperling V, Lang W, Meyer A.Safety of medical compression stockings in patients with diabetes mellitus or peripheral arterial disease. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020;8(1):e001316.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding your risk for blood clots with travel.Ochsner Health.Who should wear compression socks?Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.Lozo M, Lovričević I, Pavlović Ž, Vrljičak Z.Designing compression of preventive compression stockings.Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics. 2021;16. doi:10.1177/15589250211060406University of Michigan Health.Compression stockings: How to use them.NHS.Varicose veins.Evans NS, Ratchford EV.Vascular Disease Patient Information Page: Compression therapy.Vascular Medicine. 2021;26(3):352-355. doi:10.1177/1358863X211002263Lee Y, Kim K, Kang S, Kim JY, Kim SG, Kim T, Jung J.Compression Stocking Length Effects on Oedema, Pain, and Satisfaction in Nursing Students: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Healthcare (Basel). 2020 May 29;8(2):149. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8020149. PMID: 32486025; PMCID: PMC7349745.NHS.Anti-embolic stockings.
MedlinePlus.Compression stockings.
Rother U, Grussler A, Griesbach C, Almasi-Sperling V, Lang W, Meyer A.Safety of medical compression stockings in patients with diabetes mellitus or peripheral arterial disease. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020;8(1):e001316.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding your risk for blood clots with travel.
Ochsner Health.Who should wear compression socks?
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Lozo M, Lovričević I, Pavlović Ž, Vrljičak Z.Designing compression of preventive compression stockings.Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics. 2021;16. doi:10.1177/15589250211060406
University of Michigan Health.Compression stockings: How to use them.
NHS.Varicose veins.
Evans NS, Ratchford EV.Vascular Disease Patient Information Page: Compression therapy.Vascular Medicine. 2021;26(3):352-355. doi:10.1177/1358863X211002263
Lee Y, Kim K, Kang S, Kim JY, Kim SG, Kim T, Jung J.Compression Stocking Length Effects on Oedema, Pain, and Satisfaction in Nursing Students: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Healthcare (Basel). 2020 May 29;8(2):149. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8020149. PMID: 32486025; PMCID: PMC7349745.
NHS.Anti-embolic stockings.
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