Man issues grim warning after long-haul flight leaves him with ‘hoofs’

It’s the summer holiday so millions of Brits are flying abroad for their holidays. But, those who go further than Europe could be risking a rather gross side-effect of air travel.

An Australian man recently went viral after showing how a long flight had effected his body. Tom Dowling had visited Mykonos in Greece – a stunning island paradise – when he headed back to Sydney.

But, upon landing down under he noticed something had changed about his legs. They had swollen up so much on the 25 hour flight that his socks had left indents.

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Sharing a clip, @thomassdowling, Tom showed himself moving his camera around a tanned leg. Swearing at the change in his limb, he said: "My legs are swollen so much from that 25 hour flight they’re like little hoofs. Chunky little hoofs. That is disgusting. Yuck."

While his feet remained strapped into his shoes, his sox had left a noticeable line on his legs. The Aussie thankfully noted: "They have gone back to normal now" in the caption.

Generally, leg and foot swelling during art travel is harmless and is caused by inactivity. Sitting for a long period in the same position can cause blood to pool in the leg veins or fluid to gather called edema.

If you’re experiencing this it can cause your legs to feel heavy, look swollen or your skin to feel tight. It can make it more difficult to move the foot and your clothes might feel more restrictive.

The best way to avoid this on a long flight is to get up and walk down the aisles every so often. Or you can even stand up and just walk on the spot or stretch.

Socks and compression clothing that squeeze the body can also encourage fluid to keep moving. That’s why some airlines hand out long compression socks!

There are however dangers to be aware of when this happens. In the comments of Thomas’ video one careful person said: "If you get pain in your leg, or one more swollen than the other, warm or red plz go to the hospital to check for DVT!"

Another person added: "Always take 81MG Aspirin just before you travel as it keeps the blood flowing and prevents blood clots."

DVT – or Deep Vein Thrombosis – is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein in the body. This can lead to a pulmonary embolism where the clot travels to the lungs and can be fatal.

"If you feel pain or shortness of breath rush to the hospital immediately," another commenter said to Thomas. A third added: "This is why I always get aisle seats for long flights from Aus! I can stand up and walk around to get circulation flowing when needed!"

The NHS notes that you’re more likely to get DVT if you are over 60, are overweight, smoke, have had a DVT before, take the contraceptive pill or HRT, have cancer or heart failure or have varicose veins.

The website states: "DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg. DVT can be dangerous. Get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have DVT."

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