Frequently Asked QuestionsHere are answers to a few of your most frequently asked questions How do I measure and what is the best time to measure? A. The best time to measure for support hose is early in the morning when you first get up. At this time your legs are generally at their smallest size. All order pages on our web site have size charts for the hose you are looking at. If you are not certain, just pick up the phone and one of our Certified Fitters would be glad to assist you at 1-800-515-4271 [Go to Top of Page] What compression/style stockings should I buy? A. Your doctor is your best source for this information, but we have included some guidelines that you may want to review About Compression. There are so many manufacturers and styles to choose from, if you need assistance, please call our toll-free number 1-800-515-4271 to speak to a certified fitter who will assist you in the selection of a garment that is appropriate for your body style and your life style. [Go to Top of Page] How should I wash my socks/hose? A. Your compression sock/hose should be washed in warm (about 105 degree) water by hand or in a laundry bag on gentle cycle in a non-phospate detergent like detergents from our manufacturers, Tide Free or ERA. Warm water restores the memory of the yarn. We DO NOT recommend Woolite. Do not use fabric softeners or bleach or any type. Most garments can be tumble dried on low setting, but all can be dried flat. [Go to Top of Page] Will my stockings get runs? A. Medical grade support socks and stockings, while they are more substantial still can and do get runs. We suggest using donning gloves to make it easier to put the stockings on and to protect your fine garments. Never use the tips of the fingers. Always use the balls of the fingers. [Go to Top of Page] I get wrinkles in my hose that hurt. What can I do? A. There are several reasons for wrinkles; one being you are not pulling them up far enough. A good pair of donning gloves will generally alleviate this problem. When putting the hose on you must stretch the garment, being careful not to put a hole in them, until they are smooth on the legs. Then gently massage the hose upward with the gloves on. The hose may need to be adjusted several times a day. Another reason for wrinkles is the socks are too big or too small (see “My stockings will not stay up). The donning gloves we have on our website are made of rubber, but we do have donning gloves available which have no rubber. [Go to Top of Page] I just cannot get these hose on, what can I do? A. Depending upon the compression of the hose, your ability in being able to touch your toes, the strength in your hands, or your age/weight, you may not be able to get the support hose on (or off). We have several donning techniques in assisting in getting the hose on. We also have special stocking donners and gloves which assist in getting the hose on or off. If you will just take the time to call us (toll free, 1-800-515-4271)) one of our Certified Fitters will instruct you on how to don the hose. [Go to Top of Page] Will my support stockings cut off my circulation? A. When you are correctly fitted by one of our Certified Fitters our gradient compression hose will not cut off your circulation. The hose will provide the most compression at the ankle and the compression decreases as you go up to the top of the stocking. Adjusting the stockings several times through the day will maximize the gradient compression, while preventing rings around your leg. [Go to Top of Page] My stockings will not stay up, what can I do? A. There are several reasons why your hose will not stay up. The first being they are just too big. We have had people buy larger hose because the compression was just too much; this does not work. They would be better if they just went down in compression. The second reason is the age of the stockings; your stockings were designed to last approximately 4-6 months, after that they lose their compression and stretch out. Another reason is the way they are washing the stockings. They must be washed in warm water in a non-phosphate detergent like detergents from our manufacturers, Tide Free All Free or ERA. The use of a harsh detergent, fabric softener or bleach will ruin the stockings. Also, you must wash your stockings every time you wear them. On a male wearing thigh-highs, he may have a lot of hair around the top band of the hose; just shave this hair off and the stocks will stay up much better. Several other little tricks are with Thigh-highs with silicone bands, after you have worn the support stockings for several weeks just get a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol on it. Just rub the silicone dots with the cotton ball. This will clean the body oils from the dots and rejuvenate the stickiness of the dots. This may need to be done weekly. When you put the stockings on be sure to stretch the stockings evenly all the way up the leg. If you overstretch the top of the stockings they will slide down. If this happens, take the stockings down to the ankle and pull them up again, stretching evenly. [Go to Top of Page] How long should my stockings last? A. Generally a pair of hose is designed to last 4-6 months. When your stockings are easier to put on, it is time to replace them. [Go to Top of Page] Why are your prices so much less than a retail store? A. Support Hose Store is an authorized dealer of the top three compression hose manufactures. We are one of the largest support hose dealers in e-commerce, if not the largest. We only purchase directly from the manufacturers, not a wholesaler. Therefore we can purchase the hose at a lower price and pass these saving on to you. [Go to Top of Page] Do I need a prescription to purchase support stockings? A. All of the hose we sell are approved by the FDA for over-the-counter sales and do not require a doctors prescription with the exception of custom made hose and 40-50mmHg stockings. We require a prescription on these as matter of safety for those customers that do not know anything about compression and want the "strongest". You will need a prescription if you request re-imbursement from your insurance company. [Go to Top of Page] How long does it take to get my hose? A. The vast majority (95%) of our customers receive their hose within 2-3 business days. When we have a product where sales are greater than our inventory on hand it may take 5-7 days (5% of our orders). We order every day from our manufacturers so we can receive the hose within 2 business days and re-ship to you in our 2-3 days. For those that need the hose faster, we offer next day and second day shipping for an additional charge. In the event our manufacturer is out of stock on the hose you purchase, you will be kept informed of the expected ship day via e-mail [Go to Top of Page] Do you sell seconds or inventory that is out of date? A. We do not sell seconds; we have a virtual inventory directly with the manufacturers. Besides our inventory on hand, our manufacturers ship their products to us via UPS second day. Therefore, when you receive your hose they are the "freshest" hose available. [Go to Top of Page] What should I do if I do not receive my hose? A. Many companies do not keep a large inventory in stock so they can ship the hose to their customers quickly. They order from other sources and ship to you when the hose come in. The best thing you can do is call the dealer to see what the problem is when you do not receive your hose within 7 business days. If they are non-responsive just call your credit card company to cancel the charge. We have known of companies that have not shipped the product for a month or two and do not have a telephone number on their web site for you to call. All of our customers receive their hose within 2-7 business days, with 95% of our customers receiving their order within 2-3 days. [Go to Top of Page] What should I look for when purchasing stockings on-line? A.
Can I sleep in my stockings? A. Generally your stockings are made to be put on first thing in the morning and take them off when you go to bed. Only sleep in your hose when your doctor has instructed you to do so. [Go to Top of Page] What is the difference between gradient compression support stockings and anti-embolism or T.E.D. hose? A. The anti-embolism stockings (T.E.D.) are designed for patients that are in bed and non-ambulatory (not walking around) to help prevent blood clotting in the leg veins. The anti-embolism stockings are generally designed with a 12-20 mmHg compression and are made for short duration of wear. These stockings are usually found in only white and generally have a hole in the toe area which allows for observation by your nurse in the hospital. The TED hose are not designed for long term wear by a person who is up and about. [Go to Top of Page] Can I go swimming in my hose? A. The chlorine in water will destroy the elastan in your hose. If you swim a lot, be sure to wash the chlorine off your body before donning you hose. [Go to Top of Page] I wear custom hose and they are just so expensive I cannot afford them. A. Many of the manufacturers have expanded their ready-to-wear sizes so there may now be an alternative to your custom hose. Large and Extra-large sizes are now available in a knee-high stocking to accommodate a large calf. These larger stockings are available in many fabrics and compressions. Sometimes because of the problems you are having, you do need custom garments to coantain your edema or lymphedema. If you are in doubt a quick check may be in order. [Go to Top of Page] Can I wear my support socks or support hose when I exercise? A. Yes, support socks or support hose should be worn when expercising to increase the circulation in your legs by working with your leg muscles. They help you maintain your leg health. [Go to Top of Page] |
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