When style can leave you numb

CHANDIGARH: Style comes with the price and it is not just your wallet that has to pay. After umpteen troubles caused by high heels, it is now skin tight and low waist jeans drawing flak for their less than flattering effects. City doctors are reporting cases of numbness and pain on thigh, especially among adolescents who wear tight trousers and jeans.The obese and the overweight commonly complain of compression of the thigh nerve or "meralgiaparesthetica."
The compression of a nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous, on the thigh due to tight fitting clothes results in tingling and numbness in the outer part of the thigh. "Usually, this is near the jean's pockets.
Wearing skin tight jeans is the main cause. But the condition is temporary and easily treatable," said Dr Aman Sharma of the department of internal medicine, PGI.
"Those who are overweight and obese are at risk. But it does not imply that all those who wear skin tight jeans will suffer from meralgia paresthetica," said Dr Vikas Bhutani, medical specialist at a private hospital in Mohali. He also said that those who have a pot belly and use a belt can also get nerve compression.
Celebrities whose skin tight jeans have become style statements include, Priyanka Chopra, Samantha Cameron and Russel Brand. The trouble starts when people try to ape their style before acquiring their physique.
"I have many pairs of red, green and blue skin tight trousers. It took some toning up exercising to get into them. Initially I used to get a burning sensation and it was diagnosed as meralgia paresthetica," said Deepti Khurana.
As the nerve provides sensation to the front part of the thigh, its compression results in numbness on the anterior side of the leg. Walking or standing may aggravate the symptoms, while sitting tends to relieve them.