Brightlife Direct

The Big and Tall Shop

May 21st, 2012

It’s not easy finding ready-to-wear compression stockings that will fit very large legs. Custom stockings are one option, but they can be prohibitively expensive. Several compression hosiery manufacturers have recently updated their product sizing to fit more individuals with off the shelf sizing. Here they are.

Juzo recently introduced MAX sizes in their Dynamic (Varin) line of stockings. MAX sizes are available in 20-30 and 30-40mmHg knee highs and thigh highs with silicone top-bands. They will fit an ankle circumference up to 14.75”, a calf up to 26” and a thigh up to 37”. Dynamic (Varin) stockings are made of a very durable fabric. They’re available in three colors, in regular and short lengths, with an open or closed toe.

Therafirm has just updated their Core-Spun sizing. The Full-Calf is now XX-Large, and all of the calf size ranges have been increased to fit larger legs. Current wearers should double check the new size chart to confirm your size hasn’t changed.

Farrow Hybrid socks are now available in an X-Large to fit a man’s shoe size of 15, and a woman’s 16. Hybrid socks only provide compression to the foot and are designed to be worn in conjunction with a FarrowWrap legpiece.

If you’re having trouble finding a ready-to-wear compression solution that will fit, give us a call (1-877-545-8585) or send us an email. We have a network of therapists around the country that can assist with sizing either a custom stocking or alternative compression garment.

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Quality Cotton from Sigvaris

May 8th, 2012

When reading a fabric label, rarely do we think about the quality of the fibers… nylon is nylon, cotton is cotton. The truth is, quality can vary dramatically, especially with natural fibers like cotton. There are short staple and long staple cottons, different varieties, and many grades of each type.

Egyptian cotton is usually rated as the softest, but in tests for durability and absorption, Supima cotton is the hands down winner. (The word Supima is a combination of “superior” and “pima”.) Pima is a variety of cotton, named after the Pima Indians who lived in what is now central and southern Arizona. They helped the USDA cultivate this variety back in the early 1900’s. Because it requires very specific growing conditions, pima cotton accounts for less than 5% of the US cotton production. The Supima label guarantees the cotton is 100% pima cotton grown in the USA.

All Sigvaris cotton compression stockings are woven with Supima cotton. Thanks to a family friendship between the owners of Sigvaris and one of the finest thread makers in the US, they use the best pima cotton which today is grown in the San Joaquin valley of California.

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Does travel insurance make sense for you?

May 3rd, 2012

Planning an international trip is usually filled with joy and excitement. Thoughts of dealing with a medical emergency are a real buzz kill when you’re dreaming of exotic tropical beaches. But emergencies do happen, and if planned for in advance, can be far less disruptive and costly.

An article in The Washington Post provided a number of resources for very reasonably priced comprehensive travel insurance. Plans are available for a set annual fee, or percentage of the trip cost. They will reimburse you for prepaid travel costs if you miss your cruise because of a flight delay, or have to stay home to care for a sick relative. Break your ankle walking the cobblestone streets of ancient Rome… you’re covered. Basic insurance plans that only cover medical expenses, or just trip cancellation are also available.

So when you’re planning that next big trip, don’t forget the travel insurance and don’t forget your travel socks. They’re like insurance for your legs, protecting against DVT’s (deep vein thrombosis).

BrightLife Direct is not in the travel insurance business, and is providing this information because we thought it was valuable.

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The Argentine Way

April 23rd, 2012

I am on vacation and writing this while flying Aerolineas Argentina to Buenos Aires. The flight attendants are wearing sheer stockings that look like they might be compression hosiery. I had to ask. Sure enough, the national airline of Argentina provides the flight attendant’s uniforms, including compression hosiery.

At BrightLife Direct we serve hundreds of customers who are US flight attendants and must purchase their own compression hosiery. The airlines only care about the color. The benefits of wearing compression stockings while traveling are well known. They help prevent DVTs (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and swelling at 30,000 feet. Delta, United, US Air and the other US carriers take note.

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Should A Gauntlet Be Worn With A Compression Sleeve… Continued

April 11th, 2012

Several weeks ago we did a blog about compression gauntlets. Are they necessary if there’s no sign of lymphedema in the hand? Based on the responses of the lymphedema therapists in the workshop we wrote about, the answer is a definite yes.

Our friend Josh Levin at LympheDivas read our blog and sent a link to a white paper on their website that covers the same subject matter. The paper was written by Dr. Andrea Cheville, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Cheville treated Josh’s sister Rachel, one of the founders of LympheDivas.

Like our lymphedema therapists, Dr. Cheville recommends the use of a glove or gauntlet with a sleeve. This is especially true when taking part in activities that increase lymph production, like airplane travel, exercise, and repetitive activities. Dr. Ceville likens a gauntlet to buying insurance. The risk of getting lymphedema in the hand is present for all with lymphedema in the arm. Using a gauntlet offers protection against that risk.

You can read the entire paper by Dr. Cheville here. USE OF GAUNTLETS AND COMPRESSION SLEEVES IN LYMPHEDEMA MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION

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Bold, Bright Colors for Spring 2012

April 5th, 2012

Spring is a time for bold, bright colors… think tulips, daffodils, and the new Dream colors from Juzo. In addition to pink, chocolate, and ocean, Juzo is introducing four new colors this Spring.

Violet is a rich shade of purple. Dolphin is a medium gray. Sunburst is a bold orange. Fuchsia is a deep, dark pink.

The complete Juzo Soft 2000 line is available in Dream colors. Knee highs, thigh highs, pantyhose, armsleeves and gauntlets in compression levels of 20-30 and 30-40mmHg. Leggings provide moderate compression of 15-20mmHg, plus they firm and shape thighs and legs.

If you need a break from beige, check out the new Dream colors from Juzo.

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Sigvaris Skin & Foot Cream

March 30th, 2012

I wash my hands a lot, especially when cooking, so the skin on my hands is usually very dry. A small patch of eczema on one knuckle won’t go away, even with a steroid cream, and the skin is often cracked and sore. In addition to the steroid cream, I use hand lotion multiple times per day.

In a casual conversation with our Sigvaris sales rep I mentioned how rough and dry my hands get. He told me about their new cream, and sent me a sample to try. It sat on my desk for several weeks while I finished a tube of Aveeno hand cream for Eczema, which didn’t work that well. The first time I tried the Sigvaris cream I was a little disappointed, because it is greasy. I’ve since found that you really need to rub it into the skin, then wait for 5 minutes or so for the best results.

After two days of using the cream twice a day, there was a noticeable improvement in the condition of my knuckle with the eczema. The skin on my hands was very soft. After five days, my knuckle was almost completely healed.

I am not saying that Sigvaris Skin & Foot Cream is a cure for eczema, but it has made a noticeable difference for me.

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Sensitive Feet Rejoice

March 22nd, 2012

Juzo 5760 Silver Sole Diabetic Socks have been out of stock for a few months due to a production snafu at the mill. We’re happy to announce they are back!

This sock has a pillowed sole and channeled toe seam for comfort. Mid-foot compression prevents bunching. Mild compression throughout increases blood circulation. And the X-Static silver fabric is antibacterial which prevents odor.

Available in crew and knee high lengths, the Juzo Silver Sole is a customer favorite.

Kenneth in Texas says, “…these stockings are great…they feel comfortable & cozy…I’m very happy with them…”

Bruce in Illinois, “These socks are so comfortable it’s amazing. I feel like I have new feet. Some days I wear them 24-7. I’m so happy I spent a little extra for socks because as I learned socks are just not socks..”

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Should A Compression Gauntlet Be Worn With A Sleeve?

March 15th, 2012

Nancy Burkart, our Professional Development Manager for the lymphedema community just returned from a lymphedema conference in Orlando. In one of the workshops she attended the discussion turned to gauntlets. Should gauntlets be worn (in conjunction with a sleeve) when starting lymphedema treatment, even if there’s no sign of the condition in the hand?

The vast majority of therapists agreed that a gauntlet should be used. Even with the graduated compression of a sleeve, which is designed to push fluid up and out of the arm, there is a slight chance that fluid could be pushed into the hand. Many gauntlets are available for less than $20, so eliminating this risk is not costly. Once therapy is underway, and the limb has been reduced in size, the gauntlet may be removed from the treatment regimen.

Another option is a combination sleeve/gauntlet. These are available from Mediven and Allegro. A sleeve/gauntlet combination reduces that chance of fluid being pushed into the hand and eliminates the possibility of a constriction point, where a traditional sleeve and gauntlet overlap.

Whether you wear a sleeve, sleeve and gauntlet, or combination, be sure to check with a certified lymphedema therapist before beginning any compression therapy.

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Copper Miners Get Relief From Copper Socks

March 7th, 2012

The 33 Chilean copper miners who were trapped 2,300 feet underground when their mine collapsed in August 2010 spurred an impromptu experiment in the treatment of fungal foot infections.

Within two weeks of living in the hot and humid conditions, many of the miners began to experience skin problems on their feet. Socks, made with copper particles, were donated to the miners after anti-fungal cream failed to relieve their skin problems. According to the journal Archives of Dermatology, many of the miners reported their skin problems completely resolved within a week of trying on the socks.

The sock fibers were “impregnated” with copper oxide, a known anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent.

Granted, foot fungus was probably the least of their concerns, but it is a problem that affects many of us surface dwellers everyday. Socks with copper are now commonly used in treating fungal conditions from athlete’s foot to unwelcome odors.

BrightLife Direct is now offering Aetrex non-binding copper sole socks for men and women ranging from no compression to 20-25mmHg, and mini-crew to knee length.