My Compression Stockings keep falling down. What should I do?

Updated on July 10, 2020 - originally published on Nov 11, 2011

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Compression stockings that don’t stay up can be the cause of many different factors. Follow this troubleshooting guide to see if any apply to you.

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Have you washed your compression stockings?

They need to be washed every time after you wear them to cleanse the material of dirt, sweat, dead skin and bodily oils. When you wear compression stockings that haven’t been washed, the elastic threads are still worn out from the last time you wore them. So wash them and they’ll be good as new.

Double check the size of your socks.

Not every compression stocking will fit every person’s legs perfectly. Sometimes you’ll have to compromise a measurement here or there in order to get the best fitting garment. Double check your measurements and sizing. You might not be wearing the right size and that’s why it’s not fitting well.

Gained or lost weight? More or less swelling?

Compression stockings don’t change as much as your body does sometimes so be sure to get your leg remeasured every once in a while to make sure that your compression stocking is still the right size for you. When people first start wearing compression stockings, their legs are swollen. After wearing them for a period of time, their legs reduce in swelling and it’s possible that they fit better into another size.

Thigh high compression stockings giving you trouble?

The silicone band on thigh high compression stockings needs special care every  1-2 weeks. Use rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball to wipe the silicone beads to remove any residue that might have built up that washing doesn’t get rid of.

Skinny thighs? Chubby knees? Don’t worry, everyone has different legs!

Some people have skinny thighs, and thigh high compression stockings often have a hard time staying up. Or for people who have softer skin around their knees, a knee high also has a hard time staying up and could roll. For both of these situations, people find it annoying and sometimes uncomfortable if the compression stockings rolls down.

Are you using grippy Donning Gloves to help you put on Compression Stockings?

Donning Gloves help make it easy to put on your compression stockings. The soft rubber material grips onto smooth compression stockings to easily slide them over your foot and on your legs.

Are you wearing a medical grade compression stocking and you can’t seem to pull them up?

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Are you wearing a fashionable sheer fabric and you don’t want to get runs and snags in them?

Do you have limited dexterity in your hands such as arthritis?

Do you want to speed up the time it takes to put on your compression stockings in the morning?

Donning gloves help make it easy for you to put on your compression stockings!

Try It Stays - Skin Adhesive:

It Stays - Skin Adhesive is a roll on skin adhesive that can be used for both knee high and thigh high compression stockings. It’s easy to apply and washes off with warm water. Just apply a little bit to your skin and stick on the top of the compression stocking to have the sock stay. For best results, use just at the top of the sock or stocking, not the bottom, a little bit at the top is sufficient to hold your compression stockings up.