On Tuesday I spent the entire day in my favorite pair of skinny jeans. It was a full day of meetings (I was on a press trip), followed by a Cleveland Indians baseball game.
By the time I was putting on my pajama pants, my legs felt extremely itchy. As I pulled off the jeans in relief, I looked down to see a huge bruise just below my knee (on the back side) on my left leg.
I looked at it confused, because I hadn’t bumped into a thing all day. It seemed so odd. And my legs — they. were. so. ITCHY! I figured maybe it was because the detergent residue on my jeans had been rubbing on my legs all day, so I grabbed some lotion and slathered it on.
I climbed into bed, opened my laptop, and was immediately hit with this article, Could Skinny Jeans Cause Nerve Damage?. It told the story of someone who ended up having to spend a few days in the hospital after helping a relative move for a day while wearing skinny jeans.
I couldn’t help but think to myself, could my skinny jeans have caused this big bruise?!
Fast forward a few days to Friday. The bruise on my leg looked horrible. It hurts like crazy too if you push on it. This is it, on Friday:
I happened to have an appointment with my chiropractor that same day and she noticed my bruise right away and asked about it.
I told her I hadn’t done a thing to it (because of it’s location, I’d literally have to walk backwards into something to cause that bruise!) and then I told her my theory about the skinny jeans.
She told me that the bruise happened from a broken blood vessel which very well could have occurred from tight jeans that were cutting off my circulation.
She also said that all of that itching, that’s a sign of poor circulation and if I’d been itching my legs during the day (which I was at times) the itching could have caused the bruise too.
I’ve decided, no matter how fashionable I might look, I won’t be wearing skinny jeans for long periods of time anymore.
For a 2 hour date with my husband, yes, maybe then, but no more wearing skinny jeans for an entire day. It’s just not worth the risk to my health.
If you find yourself having itchy legs (or finding a bruise) after wearing skinny jeans, you may want to rethink them too!
If you must wear your skinny jeans, consider wearing a pair of compression socks too, to help with leg circulation.
Sandy C.
Monday 15th of April 2024
OMG! Who would have thought that! I sure hope you feel better, and thanks for the head's-ups!
monique s
Friday 11th of June 2021
I did not know about this. That is such a serious thing. Thanks for letting us know
Aimielyn
Wednesday 18th of September 2019
Thank goodness I found this blog. I also have a bruise slightly above where yours at but on my right leg. Couldn't recall any incidences that would cause it to bruise. Now I think I have answers. Thank you!
M
Monday 11th of September 2017
thanks for sharing! I've terrible bruises all over my thighs and my legs are itching like crazy. I slathered on lotion, ointment and even took anti-histamine just to calm the flaming skin.
I thought this happened because of residue detergent in the skinny jeans but now I think the culprit could very well be the skinny jeans I wore all day to work for consecutive days! :(
Janessa
Tuesday 12th of September 2017
Oh no, I'm so sorry! Every now and then I will break my most stretchy pair out to wear again, but I'm so cautious these days. I hope your legs get better soon!
Tauna
Saturday 10th of June 2017
Crazy! I've had the itchy leg thing and thought it was just my tendency toward dry skin. Now thinking back, I'm pretty sure it was after a day in skinny jeans. ?? Thanks for sharing.