Sometimes we feel like our socks are too tight. And sometimes it's more than just a feeling, with marks appearing around the ankles or calves.

It may be because you are wearing socks that are too tight.

Consequences of wearing socks that are too tight:

Poor venous return: Veins are responsible for returning blood to the heart. Socks that are too tight can prevent this return of blood, leading to an accumulation in the lower limbs.

Therefore, there is venous insufficiency, causing a sensation of heavy legs, often accompanied by nighttime cramps, swelling of the feet and ankles, tingling, and numbness. This condition is one of the factors contributing to the development of varicose veins.

Pain: Pain is also a symptom of poor venous return.

Change in skin color: This is also a sign of venous insufficiency. Be sure to note the color of your skin before putting on your socks. Especially if you use a moisturizing cream: your skin may appear redder after application than before.

Marks on the skin: They are caused by the compression of the elastic or the entire sock on the foot. This discomfort is mostly aesthetic. But be careful, this could also be a sign of dehydration or high blood pressure!

If symptoms appear when wearing socks, the socks may not necessarily be the cause. It could be dehydration or high blood pressure. In fact, the presence of dehydration or high blood pressure can generate these symptoms after wearing socks that are too tight.

What are the solutions?

There are simple solutions, such as choosing your socks wisely to avoid them being too tight:

  • Choose brands that make socks with size-to-size measurements.
    Indeed, the more precise the sizing, the more it corresponds to the actual size of the feet. Specialized brands offer sizes ranging from 2 sizes to 2 sizes (example: 40-41).

  • Other brands only offer sizes covering 3 or even 4 shoe sizes. A person who wears size 41 will generally have to buy socks in size 40-43 at a department store (or with sizes like S, M, L, XL...), sometimes forcing us to choose socks in the lower range compared to our shoe size, and therefore too tight!

  • Socks with non-compressive support: New innovative technologies have emerged to offer non-compressive support. This is the case with Monnet, which offers socks with the following technologies:
    1. Optimum Foot Fit© which provides non-compressive tightening at the instep, ankles, and calf, ensuring a perfect fit.
    2. SkinTech© which provides a second skin effect through light and uniform compression on the leg, or a decreasing compression from the ankle to the calf.

  • Finally, to combat poor venous return:
  1. Avoid sedentary behavior by sitting or standing for long periods as little as possible.
  2. Regularly engage in physical activity.
  3. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet: remember to drink regularly and sufficiently, reduce your salt intake to avoid water retention, maintain a healthy weight.

If despite all these tips these symptoms appear regularly, it is advisable to consult a doctor and/or a podiatrist to rule out other causes!

As mentioned earlier, the presence of these symptoms may be related to other pathologies, independent of socks.