Why are my legs so itchy after I take off my compression stockings?

I wear compression stockings for varicose veins during my pregnancy. They ease the pain and tiredness, but my legs get so itchy sometimes - especially after I take my stockings off. What can i do to prevent the itchiness and are they too tight?

Answers from doctors (12)


Interventional Radiology Consultants

Published on Jul 11, 2012

This could be a result of perspiration. Try putting talcum powder on your legs or in the stockings prior to wearing them.

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Answered by Interventional Radiology Consultants

This could be a result of perspiration. Try putting talcum powder on your legs or in the stockings prior to wearing them.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Did you get measured for your compression stockings or did you get from a pharmacy or store? If you were not measured correctly, the stockings may be too tight. It can be normal to have itching after removing the stockings. Our skin is designed to let us know if something is different or hurting us. If you are
not allergic to an antihistamine, such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, then this could help with itching.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Did you get measured for your compression stockings or did you get from a pharmacy or store? If you were not measured correctly, the stockings may be too tight. It can be normal to have itching after removing the stockings. Our skin is designed to let us know if something is different or hurting us. If you are
not allergic to an antihistamine, such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, then this could help with itching.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Vein Clinic

Published on Jul 03, 2012

You might try changing the brand of hose you are using. You may be sensitive to the fibers in the hose.

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Answered by The Vein Clinic

You might try changing the brand of hose you are using. You may be sensitive to the fibers in the hose.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Try some skin moisturizer. Your skin may be too dry. Probably not related to tightness. Also an allergy is a possibility but not very likely. There are cotton stockings you might try as well.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Try some skin moisturizer. Your skin may be too dry. Probably not related to tightness. Also an allergy is a possibility but not very likely. There are cotton stockings you might try as well.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Itchiness with compression hose sometimes occurs. I do not think it is related to them being too tight. Changing brands or using a moisturizer can help.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Itchiness with compression hose sometimes occurs. I do not think it is related to them being too tight. Changing brands or using a moisturizer can help.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Support hose may absorb the oils from the skin. Use lotion at night to help with this. I doubt that itching is a sign that the hose are too tight.

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Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Support hose may absorb the oils from the skin. Use lotion at night to help with this. I doubt that itching is a sign that the hose are too tight.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Austin Vein Specialists

Published on Jul 03, 2012

You may just have sensitive skin, or it may be the response of your nerves to the sudden release of pressure when the stockings are removed. The other possibility is that you may be having a topical reaction to the material in the stockings.

Answered by Austin Vein Specialists (View Profile)

You may just have sensitive skin, or it may be the response of your nerves to the sudden release of pressure when the stockings are removed. The other possibility is that you may be having a topical reaction to the material in the stockings.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jul 03, 2012

In some people this can happen. I often recommend a non-Vaseline-based moisturizer such as Aveeno for very dry skin. Any of the oatmeal-based products can soothe your skin. Petroleum-based products can damage hose. Let moisturizer dry on your skin for a while or the hose may be difficult to put on. Compression strengths vary from 15-20mmHg to 30-40 mmHg during pregnancy. If they were measured correctly, they should be the correct fit. If you have put on weight during pregnancy, I would recommend you be re-measured and fitted in the appropriate size. We often recommend the higher compression at the end of second trimester or early third.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

In some people this can happen. I often recommend a non-Vaseline-based moisturizer such as Aveeno for very dry skin. Any of the oatmeal-based products can soothe your skin. Petroleum-based products can damage hose. Let moisturizer dry on your skin for a while or the hose may be difficult to put on. Compression strengths vary from 15-20mmHg to 30-40 mmHg during pregnancy. If they were measured correctly, they should be the correct fit. If you have put on weight during pregnancy, I would recommend you be re-measured and fitted in the appropriate size. We often recommend the higher compression at the end of second trimester or early third.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Jun 17, 2012

Compression stockings can sometimes cause itchiness. Eucerin cream, if applied daily, may help with itchiness and eczema.

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Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Compression stockings can sometimes cause itchiness. Eucerin cream, if applied daily, may help with itchiness and eczema.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on May 30, 2012

Your itching can be due to a few things. First off, by taking your stockings off, you are in essence allowing your tissue and vein structure to expand. So, if you have vein disease, those abnormal veins will start to dilate since there is now nothing to hold them in. When varicose veins dilate, they allow more blood to pool resulting in an increased inflammation of the vein wall. This inflammation in the vein wall will then start to inflame the nerves around it causing an itching sensation. Secondly, the itching can result from the stockings pulling on your leg hairs or just the fact that removing the stockings may allowing your legs to breath better causing it to itch for a short period of time.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Your itching can be due to a few things. First off, by taking your stockings off, you are in essence allowing your tissue and vein structure to expand. So, if you have vein disease, those abnormal veins will start to dilate since there is now nothing to hold them in. When varicose veins dilate, they allow more blood to pool resulting in an increased inflammation of the vein wall. This inflammation in the vein wall will then start to inflame the nerves around it causing an itching sensation. Secondly, the itching can result from the stockings pulling on your leg hairs or just the fact that removing the stockings may allowing your legs to breath better causing it to itch for a short period of time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

Published on May 30, 2012

As far as itching, make sure to rinse them after use and hang dry them. You may consider being re-fitted as you body undergoes changes with pregnancy.

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Answered by Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

As far as itching, make sure to rinse them after use and hang dry them. You may consider being re-fitted as you body undergoes changes with pregnancy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on May 29, 2012

Most likely the itching is due to dryness of the skin. Use a moisturizing cream such as aloe, vitamin E or cocoa butter (and let the moisturizer soak in or dry before you put on the stockings). Overly tight compression stockings may also contribute to the itchiness, so check with your doctor to make sure you have the correct stockings.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Most likely the itching is due to dryness of the skin. Use a moisturizing cream such as aloe, vitamin E or cocoa butter (and let the moisturizer soak in or dry before you put on the stockings). Overly tight compression stockings may also contribute to the itchiness, so check with your doctor to make sure you have the correct stockings.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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