How diabetic socks are important to your feet
Choosing properly made diabetic socks addresses moisture that occurs between the skin and shoes, friction and pressure and irritation caused by sock seams and wrinkling and bunching around the toe area all of which can lead to causing an ulcer (sore).
While conventional socks may provide some amount of protection and comfort to your feet it is not enough to be considered therapeutic.
Diabetic socks are made to provide optimal protection and comfort for problem feet. (wearing diabetic shoes should also be something you might want to consider.)
Socks for diabetics are specially designed with extra padding to provide comfort in the heels and foot pads, they are cross-woven so that they can stretch to accommodate swelling and they do not have seams which often lead that can irritate sensitive feet.
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¹ Nerve damage, acute sensitivity, swelling due to poor circulation, serious edema and a tendency to get skin ulcers (sores).
² Socks for diabetics can also be worn as a covering over bandages, dressings, or casts.
Special features and benefits of diabetic socks
- Seamless toe and heel construction: This reduces irritation by at least 60% on sensitive pressure points of the foot which minimizes the development of friction causing sores that could develop into ulcers.
(It should be noted that seamless diabetic socks need only to be worn if nerve damage or acute sensitivity is present.)
- Anatomical Fit: Gives a smooth wrinkle-free fit that is non-constricting and conforming which eliminates unnecessary pressure points caused by looseness or bunching. (Socks constructed of multi- directional stretch (Corespun) yarns generally yield the best results.)
- Frictionless: Provides an interface between the skin and shoes which minimizes friction.
- Moisture Controlling: Multi-Wicking fibers¹ and blends of polyester and/or acrylic provide breathability to transport moisture away from the skin to the surface of the sock where it can evaporate or be absorbed by the shoe and keep the skin’s surface dry. recommended and their synthetic fibers will not absorb moisturizing skin creams.)
- Extra-padding: Features additional padding in the sole, heel, and toes to comfort sensitive feet.
- Non-restrictive: Corespun stretch yarns are calibrated to exert low-compression so that they can accommodate chronic swelling in the ankles and feet (Socks with limited stretch restricts blood flow.)
- Infection inhibitors: Proper diabetic socks are imbued with anti-bacterial inhibitors.
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¹ While diabetic socks are available in various types of fibers and blends those that are made of synthetic fibers rather than all cotton or a blend synthetic fibers (e.g. acrylic) are more effective for controlling moisture, which helps to keep the feet dry and free of friction, they will not shrink, they are considerably more durable and longer lasting, and they are made using a soft-spun weaving technology that mimics the feel of 100% cotton.
Diabetic socks are perfect for athletes
Reflexa® makes diabetic athletic socks called Active Sports Socks that are a combination weave of Celliant™ and several additional Fibers that help improve performance during rigorous activities. They are also woven with a silver yarn that provides anti-odor, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Proper diabetic comfort socks use an anti-static yarn that prevents blisters by wicking away friction causing moisture making them perfect for any type of sports where movement on your feet is constant.
Why diabetics should wear white or light-colored socks
White or light-colored socks, e.g., men’s khaki light compression diabetic socks,
are recommended for those diabetics who are prone to ulcers as they will quickly alert them to a bleeding or oozing wound and subsequently allowing them to treat such skin wounds before infection sets in.
For those diabetics who do not have a tendency to get skin sores or do not suffer from neuropathy (nerve damage) but instead wear them to comfort to their swollen feet and ankles, wearing black or dark-colored diabetic socks will not pose a problem.
Diabetic socks styles and sizes
Men’s: casual or sports in regular crew, quarter length, and low-cut.
Women’s: casual or sports in regular crew, quarter length, and low-cut.
Colors (depending on the brand) are generally available in both white and dark colors to include black, grey, brown, khaki, and blue.
Women’s sizes: XSmall 4 1/2 – 6 1/2, Small 7 – 9, Medium 9 1/2 – 11, Large 11 1/2 – 13
Men’s sizes: XSmall 3 1/2 – 5 1/2, Small 6 – 8, Medium 8 1/2 – 10, Large 10 1/2 – 12, XLarge 12 1/2 – 14
Diabetic socks prices
There are many different prices of diabetic socks to choose from with each priced depending on the condition of a diabetic’s feet. An inexpensive six-pack of plain white crew socks can range in price from $6-12 for some of the better brands. Higher quality diabetics dress socks can range in price from $12-18.
A pair of cheap diabetic socks that are priced around $2.00/pair will suffice for short walks as friction will not be an issue.
Keep in mind that cheaper diabetic socks are generally made of all cotton and will shrink which resulting in restriction, the tops will quickly lose their stretchiness, and they will most likely develop holes after repeated washings.
Higher priced diabetic socks such as Dr.Scholl’s diabetic socks at Walmart* made of acrylic will cost $8-10 for two pair.
Like most higher priced diabetic socks, they are more durable and they will retain their shape after several washings.
Check out Publisher’s Choice Diabetic Socks as well. They also sell diabetic socks in synthetic materials and are usually a little cheaper through online retailers.
*Dr.Scholl’s diabetic socks at Walmart per the information on their website are no longer available for purchase online but may still be purchased in their stores.
In conclusion:
While diabetic socks should not be considered a complete panacea for problem feet they can however play an important role in protecting and comforting them.
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Diabetic Socks and their Benefits by Jim Green is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
