Skinny Jeans: Health Hazard

Skinny jeans might be crushing nerves in the very thighs they’re supposed to flatter, MSNBC reports. Experts say they’ve seen a spat of young women suffering from meralgia paresthetica, or “tingling thigh syndrome,” caused by wearing ridiculously tight jeans. It occurs whenever constant pressure is applied to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, causing a tingling or burning sensation.

Typically, the condition afflicts obese people or construction workers. Sometimes, it’s seatbelts in an accident. But lately, the main culprit has been skinny jeans. Those wearing high heels are particularly susceptible. But don’t worry, fashion slaves; the damage isn’t usually permanent. “It doesn’t make me hesitate to wear my jeans,” said the editor of Fashionista.com, “the same way I don’t hesitate to wear the shoes I wear.” (More jeans stories.)