Support Stockings Support stockings are elastic stockings designed to be worn all the waking day. They apply compression to the leg in a graduated way, i.e. greater at the ankle than the thigh, thus helping blood pass back up the leg. They must be fitted correctly to have any chance of helping. Although support stockings cannot make varicose veins disappear some patients do get relief from their symptoms whilst wearing them and are happy with this solution. Most patients do not like the way they look or feel. Your legs can get hot and sweaty and can blister. Some patients are allergic to the latex. They can be hard to put on. There is little research about support stockings for varicose veins but that which does exist does not show much benefit, although 1 in 4 people who tried support stockings before surgery decided to do without the surgery so presumably they must be doing some good!