I am 49 and a qualified nurse. Very happily married and mum to 4 children mostly grown up now- 2 so...
I am 49 and a qualified nurse. Very happily married and mum to 4 children mostly grown up now- 2 sons and 2 daughters.
Member since:10.11.2008
Reviews:75
Members who trust:29
Scholl flight socks are a good purchase if you are flying, or indeed if you are going to be travelling in a car for any length of time. It's strange really because they are marketed as flight socks, but the condition of "Deep Vein Thrombosis" is also more common when any person remains inactive for long periods of time. Flying is a major risk factor, but there are many.
So just for a moment I'll pop my nurse's hat and explain what "Deep Vein Thrombosis" or DVT is all about. If you are a driver and have ever been on the M6 north of Lancaster, at quiet times, you will appreciate the wide open 3 lane motorway and the ease of driving. It is pure pleasure and difficult to adhere to the speed limits, because the bottle necks of the Midlands and The North around Manchester are far behind you. This is what you want your blood system to be doing, flowing like this, freely and easily.
Now the M25 on a Friday is a different story. Clogged lanes all fighting to pay for the toll at the Dartford crossing, and the Birmingham M6 is the same- a bottle neck. Thank goodness for the toll road they have now, which again allows the traffic to flow freely and with ease.
So what you want on long journeys (and every day) is this free flowing scenario in your own blood system. However, sitting on a plane in "Economy", getting dehydrated from the dry air in the cabin can trigger a very unpleasant, and potentially fatal, series of events. Blood in the legs returns north to the upper part of the body thanks partly to the muscles in the legs, which when you are active contract and help the blood to return, and also due to the valves in these veins which stop the blood going back to the legs. Since gravity is not in its favour this aspect is vital. Stagnating thickened
blood is more likely to clot in these deep veins. Remember you can't see these veins; they are deep inside the leg and not those superficial ones you can easily spot on the surface.
If this blood clots it will sometimes go unnoticed as the body will break it down. However if this does not happen and you see any of these signs/symptoms you must get to a doctor quickly.
1. Any kind of calf swelling (Note that the ankle swelling sometimes experienced on planes is not the same, and is not connected with this. However, if severe it should be seen by a doctor)
2. The leg may also feel warm and it may be red, but not always.
3 Pain in the affected leg which can be severe, it may mean you can't stand on it without generating more pain.
The reason this must not be ignored is that if there is a clot it may travel to the lungs. This is then a medical emergency and is called a "Pulmonary Embolism". It can be fatal, and it may cause chest pain, breathlessness, coughing up blood and collapse. For this reason it is vital to think about prevention, and this is where these Scholl stockings are a real bonus.
To purchase these go to a chemist. They retail for about £12 and you can choose from a range of 2 colours. This is great because when they first came out they were all black, but now ladies can get some in a natural flesh shade, which look aesthetically better. They are available in different sizes, and it is really important to measure yourself correctly and to purchase the right one.
To wear them you carefully put them on -this will be hard as they are meant to be close fitting, but whatever you do make sure they are rolled up to the knee, and never be tempted to wear them half mast, as this will make matters worse by placing pressure around the calf and will be counterproductive.
With all the right attitudes about safety it is still possible to shun these as they are not a fashion item, in fact they are reminiscent of my grannie's stockings drawer, and do not excite me on a flight to wear them. So I think it is really important to think what you are going to wear so that they are disguised. For ladies I would suggest some lovely linen trousers which are cool, but loose, so that they are covered up in flight; and if you buy some with a turn up capability you can always roll them up on arrival, remove your socks on landing, and then pop your summer shoes back on.
The socks wash really well and can be used many times so they are good value for money.
Now also to consider is the other risk factors for developing DVT. Undoubtedly dehydration is a major killer, and for reasons I will outline now. I don't know whether you have noticed but long haul economy flights are the worst for serving small drinks. Tiny glasses and minute dinky soft drinks. I am sure this is to keep the weight down, as fluids weigh a lot, and have to be transported, but it seems ironic to me that when dehydration is a major health risk that it is crazy to serve tiny soft drinks. So to get round this make sure you are hydrated well before you fly. Start a few days before, have extra drinks and allow enough time at the airport before you board to pop into Boots to buy some water After security you can do this, and it makes sense, especially of you are going long haul /economy.
Walk round the plane a lot on route, and do the exercises they suggest in your seat. Sadly alcohol makes matters worse so try to avoid it, and take extra care on the way home from tropical destinations as you may be much more dehydrated than you were before you left from home, having beach bathed for a fortnight!
If you have had any form of circulatory disorder you must check with your GP as to the suitability of these flights socks and your personal risk factors for flying at all. Also check with your GP if you have diabetes.
Certain groups are more likely to develop DVT and these include those taking the pill or HRT, those over 40, and anyone who is immobile in general, or who has had recent surgery. This also includes anyone with a previous history or indeed a family history of DVT. Also if you are very overweight, have had cancer or cancer treatment, or heart disease, and there are many more including smoking. However it is important to remember anyone is at risk.
Keeping mobile is your best friend with this. It is why in hospital now patients are dragged out of bed so early and mobilised to prevent many conditions, DVT being one of them. It is really advisable to become the annoying flight goer who always seems to need the toilet!
Scholl Flight socks are part of the armoury we have in fighting this condition. For a modest price you can lower your risk of developing DVT and improve safety for yourself when flying. They have a British Standard mark on the box which is vital. Although they are not fashionable they are comfortable to wear, and an added bonus I find is that on long haul flights they are quite warming, which is lovely as it can get chilly in the early hours if you are flying overnight.
Just make sure they fit really well and are comfortable. If they slip down they are too big, and don't be tempted to buy them too small as you will find them really difficult to put on and could restrict the blood flow.
I think they are a small price to pay for reducing your risk and they could save your life.
This review is also posted on Dooyoo by myself under the user name Machair1
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Product Properties:To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in flightClinically proven ... more
graduated compression system to improve circulationHelp to prevent swollen ankles and tired aching legsAntimicrobial protection keeps feet fresh and odour free
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours......
Product Properties:To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in flightClinically proven ... more
graduated compression system to improve circulationHelp to prevent swollen ankles and tired aching legsAntimicrobial protection keeps feet fresh and odour free
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Product Properties:To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in flightClinically proven ... more
graduated compression system to improve circulationHelp to prevent swollen ankles and tired aching legsAntimicrobial protection keeps feet fresh and odour free
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Product Properties:To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in flightClinically proven ... more
graduated compression system to improve circulationHelp to prevent swollen ankles and tired aching legsAntimicrobial protection keeps feet fresh and odour free
Postage & Packaging:£2.00 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Product Properties:To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in flightClinically proven ... more
graduated compression system to improve circulationHelp to prevent swollen ankles and tired aching legsAntimicrobial protection keeps feet fresh and odour free
Postage & Packaging:£2.50 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Product Properties:To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in flightClinically proven ... more
graduated compression system to improve circulationHelp to prevent swollen ankles and tired aching legsAntimicrobial protection keeps feet fresh and odour free
Postage & Packaging:£2.50 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Description: Long Periods of inactivity, combined with the cramped conditions and ... more
dehydration which can occur on long journeys, can cause a number of circulatory problems including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - blood clots. Scholl Flight Socks Sheer are medically proven to help prevent DVT by helping to improve blood flow. Designed for continuous comfort, they effectively help relieve tired aching legs and swollen ankles so that you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and your legs feel revitalised. Scholl Flight Socks Sheer are ultra soft with a reinforced toe to ensure longer lasting wear. Shoe Size Guide UK 4-6 37 - 39 Calf: 14'' - 16'' (35 1/2cm -40 1/2 cm) Ankle: 8 3/4'' - 10 1/2'' (22 1/2cm - 26 1/2cm) Caution Text If you are suffering form, or have a previous history of, bloody clots, a blood clotting disorder, heart or circulatory problems (e.g. arterial or venous insufficiency), diabetes, severe varicose veins, cancer, reduced mobility or if you have recently undergone major surgery or arepregnant, you should consult a healthcare professional about the suitability of this product. Compression level 14-17 mmHg (18.7-22.7hPa). Made to conform to Bristish Standard:BS6612:1985. Fibre content 80% polymide, 20% Elastane.
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Description: Long Periods of inactivity, combined with the cramped conditions and ... more
dehydration which can occur on long journeys, can cause a number of circulatory problems including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - blood clots. Scholl Flight Socks Sheer are medically proven to help prevent DVT by helping to improve blood flow. Designed for continuous comfort, they effectively help relieve tired aching legs and swollen ankles so that you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and your legs feel revitalised. Scholl Flight Socks Sheer are ultra soft with a reinforced toe to ensure longer lasting wear. UK 6 1/2 - 840 - 42Calf: 15'' - 17'' (38cm -431/2 cm)Ankle:93/4'' - 111/2'' (24 1/2cm - 29cm) Caution Text If you are suffering form, or have a previous history of, bloody clots, a blood clotting disorder, heart or circulatory problems (e.g. arterial or venous insufficiency), diabetes, severe varicose veins, cancer, reduced mobility or if you have recently undergone major surgery or are pregnant, you should consult a healthcare professional about the suitability of this product. Compression level 14-17 mmHg (18.7-22.7hPa). Made to conform to Bristish Standard:BS6612:1985. Fibre content 80% polymide, 20% Elastane.
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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