Summary
In the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency or lymphoedema, compression stockings
are standard therapy. Nevertheless, patient compliance is relatively low. One reason
for this are symptoms such as itching, burning or redness, which are considered by
patients, but also frequently by attending physicians, as an allergy to the compression
stockings. The review covers the basics of contact allergies, shows how often allergies
to compression stockings occur and what the causes are, and briefly describes the
common differential diagnoses, their causes and prevention.
Keywords
Compression stockings - contact allergy - latex allergy - irritant contact dermatitis
- textile allergy
