Top Five Things to Know Before Getting your Next Pair of Socks if you are a Diabetic
A majority of individuals don’t realize how important of a role specially-made diabetic socks play in effective diabetic foot care. Diabetic foot problems unfortunately may arise when the wrong kinds of stockings or footwear are worn. That is why it is so important that individuals who suffer from diabetes pay close attention to the kinds of socks they wear. Don’t settle for any cheaply made ones if you are diabetic if they haven’t been designed with your health issues in mind since they may be harmful on account of inferior materials used in making them. This includes many of the kinds that are available for purchase in stores. Usually, they are made out of 100% cotton. When they get wet, they can get abrasive. At times pulling can be caused when terry loop stitching is part of the design, which can result in irritations that are quite harmful.
Example of specially made socks for diabetics. Engineered for foot protection. Image source: Thorlo
Diabetic Socks Provide Essential Benefits for Good Foot Health
Look for the kind that have a seamless design, extra cushioning and padding in the sensitive parts of the foot for reducing friction, offer antibacterial and antifungal features, have non-binding tops and no or light compression. Sometimes men’s and women’s diabetic socks come in unisex styles as well.
Reasons for Wearing the Right Kind
For individuals with diabetes, diabetic socks are very important since they can help with preventing diabetic foot wounds as well as other foot problems from happening. Those who suffer from diabetic neuropathy in their feet need to ensure that they seek foot care immediately since this condition may result in loss of sensation. This can cause injuries if ulcers on a diabetic foot are not detected in time. If not properly treated, infection may take place which can result in amputation being necessary. That is why it is critical to wear diabetic stock in order to maintain diabetic feet that are healthy.
Diabetic socks are designed for:
- Offering comfort
- Reducing pressure points
- Providing therapeutic benefits
- Offering light or no compression
- Minimizing irritations
- Protecting one’s feet from external damage
There are many different men’s and women’s stocks that are antibacterial, wick away moisture, have a seamless design and relieve pressure.
Five Important Features to Consider Before Purchasing Diabetic Socks
When shopping for pairs of diabetic socks, there are several important things that diabetics need to look for. Various brands will offer different styles and every style will offer its own important features to the wearer.
The Right Fiber
1) Cotton Blend better than 100% Cotton: Despite the fact that 100% cotton is very soft, this material doesn’t have any moisture-wicking capabilities. Don’t Wear 100% Cotton Socks they are very bad for diabetic feet for several reasons. Those that are made out of 100% cotton wear out faster and are less durable. This can cause friction resulting in irritation of the skin, causing blisters or sores. It is recommended that you wear the right synthetic blends or cotton blend socks that have rayon, nylon or acrylic blended with 60% less cotton. You will find some that are not made with cotton at all.
2) Moisture Wicking: Socks that have moisture wicking features can help diabetics with keeping their feet dry from sweating. Sweaty moist feet can end up being a real breeding ground for disease-causing fungi and bacterial infections that may result in diabetic feet becoming seriously damaged. It is highly recommended to wear ones with CoolMax fibers. They are lightweight fibers and have been designed for wicking away moisture and speeding up foot perspiration evaporation.
The Right Design
3) Non-Binding Tops: Circulation to the feet can be cut off by stockings that have binding tops, which can lengthen the healing process on account of lack of blood flow. Whenever foot injuries are experienced by diabetics, it’s imperative that all necessary measures be taken in order to properly heal. Proper blood circulation is allowed when stockings are worn that have non-binding tops.
4) Seamless Design: Because seamless socks fit snug and close to the skin it makes them ideal for diabetic feet. There are less chances of them bunching or wrinkling inside the shoes to cause potential blisters, chafing, or irritation from taking place.
5) None or Light Compression: For diabetics who have swollen feet, it is recommended that they wear compression socks. Compression therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment and improves valve functioning that allows for proper and quicker blood flow into the feet. It is accomplished whenever there is graduated compression, or when the greatest pressure is at the ankles and reduces gradually up the leg. It is recommended that no compression or 15 MM HG light compression socks be worn.
Note: We are not recommending any particular brand or manufacturer.