Although skinny jeans and other tight-fitting pants are considered stylish in today's fashion-conscious society, these articles of clothing are associated with health risks. The purpose of this article is to discuss the 'tight jean syndrome.'
Skinny jeans, straight leg jeans, and other tight-fitting denim pants are in style, especially among today's fashion-conscious females. Combine those skinny jeans with a fashionable top and some cute sandals, and you've just pieced together a trendy summer look that will be sure to turn plenty of heads as you stroll across the street.
Even though skinny jeans are definitely stylish in this day and age, the tight-fitting denim might be placing peoples' health at risk. Repeatedly wearing tight clothing has been known to compress the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which is a sensory nerve that travels from the abdomen through the thigh.
According to Weil (2012), the compression can cause numbness, tingling, and a burning pain in the legs above the knees, a condition called "meralgia paresthetica," also known as "tingling thigh syndrome" and now sometimes termed "tight jean syndrome."
The cardinal symptoms of meralgia paresthetica include tingling, numbness, pain and hypersensitivity in the upper legs. Moreover, some women describe feeling a floating sensation with associated weakness.
Women who continue to wear tight skinny jeans despite experiencing symptoms are at risk for developing permanent damage to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. According to Hsu (2012), wearing high heels with skinny jeans, a combination many women take on to lengthen the appearance of their legs, worsens symptoms because the heel tilts the pelvis in a way that increases the pressure of the skinny jeans.
However, tight jeans are not always the culprit, because conditions such as weight gain, trauma, diabetes mellitus, and pregnancy can all compress this nerve. In addition, females who wear fashionable skinny jeans are not the only members of the population who are at risk for developing the 'tight jean syndrome.' Middle-aged males with prominent beer bellies who attempt to squeeze into tight jeans or slacks also risk compressing the nerve.
Skin-tight pants might also result in digestive issues such as heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal distention. Men who are trying to impregnate their wives and/or girlfriends should be cautious because tight jeans can place them at risk.
In the past doctors have also warned men trying for a baby to avoid wearing skinny jeans because the tight-fitting denim can cause the testicles to overheat, lowering their sperm count (Weil, 2012).
Tight jean syndrome is a growing problem, but it will usually resolve after six weeks of wearing looser-fitting clothing. Always remember that it is better to be comfortable than to look cute.
I've never heard of such a thing. It does sound silly but I have to admit I have experienced this. I would wear tight fitting jeans to school and all the walking and prolonged sitting in class, bus rides and in the car while wearing skinny jeans really took its toll on my legs. I'd often have to sooth my aching, tingly legs with a heating pad. Eventually I realized the culprit was my jeans. Now I try to wear looser jeans and pants.
wow! who would of known?! I used 2 do what my husband calls "my pants dance' to squeeze into my skinny jeans until that got old now im all about comfort.
Not a new problem. When I was a teenager in the 80's, your pants were too loose unless you had to lay on the bed and use a clothes hanger end to get the zipper up. The painted on look was the only way to go.
Same thing in the 70's . . . . . That coathanger really worked!!
Interesting and informative article. Hadn't heard about the nerve damage but I remember research from looooong time ago about male fertility isssues with tight fitting clothes. I do remember specifically problems of vaginitis and UTIs for tight clothes for the gals.
Seeing the title made me think this was going to be a funny post but reading the article opened up my eyes. I never thought about risks like this which is very interesting to learn.
I am fairly sure I am not the only nurse who had an ER patient with blue hands. She said they turned blue and when she washed her hands they got pink again. Culprit - new blue jeans. heavy price to pay for not washing them before wearing.
Lol, a few weeks ago I panicked when I was changing into pj s and noticed my legs were dark grey (I am normally pale). My boyfriend kept insisting on taking me to the emergency room but I said no because I felt fine. It took a good hour for me to realize it was from the new black pants I had been wearing.
That coathanger really worked!!
Do-over, ASN, RN
1,085 Posts
They can't move comfortably.