Diabetes is a disease that can be very difficult to deal with. Not only will you have to take care of your blood sugar levels, but you also need to make sure that you don’t get scratches, blisters, and other types of wounds, as they would take a lot longer to heal. Wounds that take a long time to heal can cause infections, so even the smallest scratches can become much worse when you have diabetes.
The reason why wounds take longer to heal and would eventually get infected when you have diabetes is that the disease affects the function of the white blood cells. These white blood cells are responsible for fighting infections, and the cells would usually not function properly when the level of blood glucose or blood sugar is high due to diabetes. In addition, diabetes also affects blood circulation, which is essential for transporting not only blood but also nutrients that are essential for the healing process of wounds. [1]
Some of the wounds that we get usually occur on our feet, especially if we are wearing shoes most of the time. Whenever we wear shoes and walk or run with them, friction is usually produced between the skin of our feet and the interior of the shoes, and this friction causes scratches, cuts, and blisters. Fortunately, there is a way for diabetic people to avoid these wounds on the feet, and this is possible by wearing diabetic socks. Here are all you need to know about diabetic socks.
What are Diabetic Socks?
Diabetic socks are a type of sock that is specifically designed for those that are suffering from diabetes. These diabetic socks are usually softer and smoother than regular socks to prevent friction from occurring between the skin of the foot and the sock. Because of how smooth and soft diabetic socks are, you will be able to avoid getting blisters, scratches, foot ulcers, and other types of wounds on your feet.
What are the Benefits of Diabetic Socks?
Diabetic socks have plenty of uses not only for those that have diabetes but also for those that have sensitive skin on the feet. Here are some of the benefits you can get from wearing diabetic socks.
Can Reduce Friction
Diabetic socks, as we have stated previously, are designed to have soft and smooth materials like merino wool and spandex that are effective in reducing friction between the socks and the feet or the shoes and the feet. Friction is usually one of the primary causes of wounds on the feet, and if you are wearing shoes that are too tight or too loose, the friction created between the shoes and your feet would be much stronger or more prominent. By wearing diabetic socks, you will be sure that the amount of friction produced inside your shoes or socks will be minimal to the point that it will not cause blisters or other wounds on your feet.
Has Padding for Extra Comfort
Diabetic socks can also have extra padding for comfort. Foot pain can happen when there is not a lot of cushioning in the shoes and socks. By having padding, diabetic socks make sure that your feet are cushioning and comfortable while you are barefoot or wearing shoes. Comfort and cushioning are important for the feet of diabetic people, as foot pain can often lead to soreness and inflammation, and these will often take a long time to heal due to the legs and feet having poor blood circulation. With diabetic socks, you will be able to avoid or at least reduce foot pain and the appearance of wounds so that your feet will remain healthy and pain-free.
Provides Warmth for the Feet
During colder seasons, a pair of diabetic socks will be able to keep you warm, as they are quite thick despite how smooth and soft they are. Diabetic socks can help prevent illnesses that are caused by colder temperatures, like frostbite and hypothermia. These illnesses, much like wounds, can be very difficult to treat when you have diabetes, so it would be best to avoid them as much as possible to avoid complications.
Things to Consider When Buying Diabetic Socks
There are now numerous diabetic socks that you can buy online or in specialty stores. However, because of how many diabetic socks there already are in the market, it would often be difficult for some people to find the perfect pair for them. To make it easier for you to make the best decision in terms of what pair to purchase, here are the things to consider when buying diabetic socks.
Size and Fit
In order for diabetic socks to be more effective in providing comfort and protection for the feet, they would need to be in the right size and fit. Diabetic socks, much like regular socks, have different sizes (like small, medium, large, etc.), so you would have to find the right size for your feet. Fortunately, there are size charts in online stores and on the websites of the brands that sell diabetic socks, and these size charts will tell you what specific sock size is suitable for your feet’s true size.
Good Reviews
To make it easier for you to find the best diabetic socks, you should check out reviews in online stores, review websites, blogs, and forums. Reviews will give you details that you need to know about different diabetic socks, from their most useful features to their pros and cons. If you are going to buy diabetic socks online, you can sometimes find reviews already available for you to read in some online shops, so you wouldn’t have a hard time finding opinions or feedback from previous customers about the products they bought.
Anti-Microbial Properties
Fungi, bacteria, and viruses are harmful elements that can cause infections. If you have wounds on your feet, there is a high chance that these harmful elements can infect those wounds and make them look and feel worse. If you already have wounds before wearing diabetic socks, you should find socks that have anti-microbial properties to avoid infection on the wounds. The best diabetic socks are made from bamboo and charcoal (besides wool and other fabrics), and these two materials have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.
And these are all the details you should know about diabetic socks, particularly their benefits and how you can buy the best ones in the market. Wear diabetic socks regularly so that you can protect your feet from wounds and infections.
Also, if you find it challenging to wear your own socks due to mobility issues, you may read our What is a Sock Aid and Its Benefits? for more tips and recommendations.
References
[1] Villines, Z. (2022, May 9). How does diabetes affect wound healing? Medical News Today. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320739