How To Choose Diabetic Socks
Although it is not necessary in all cases, there are times when diabetic socks are the best option to avoid injuries and facilitate circulation in the feet.
Diabetes it is a chronic disease that may require lifelong treatment and care. There are a variety of complications. Some of these can affect the feet. For example, there may be a risk of developing serious infections in this area. Therefore, the selection of socks for a diabetic is essential.
Neglecting a diabetic foot can lead to amputation of a toe, foot, or even a leg up to the knee.
Therefore, it is very important to maintain good foot care. In this sense, diabetic socks They are specifically created to provide softness and comfort on a day-to-day basis while preventing complications.
Here are some tips on how to choose diabetic socks.
Diabetes and feet
People who have diabetes are at constant risk for complications associated with having abnormal blood sugar levels. One of these in particular is nerve damage (known as neuropathy).
The most common neuropathy is the one that affects the nerves of the feet . If you suffer from this type of problem, you are likely to have these symptoms:
- Numbness of the feet and toes.
- Very sharp pains in the feet, possibly worse at night.
- Extreme tingling or burning sensation in the feet.
- Muscular weakness.
- Foot deformities and presence of ulcers.
If diabetic neuropathy has affected the sensation of your feet, you are likely to injure yourself without even realizing it.
Something as simple as a shoe abrasion can hurt your skin to the point of causing a small ulcer that you may not even notice.
If you don’t constantly check your feet for injuries, they can get worse and become infected. Good foot care when you are diabetic includes:
- The daily review of them in search of injuries.
- Blisters
- Infections that need to be treated.
In addition to wearing shoes that protect your foot and help prevent injuries, it is a good idea to choose to wear diabetic socks.
What are the characteristics of diabetic socks?
There is a wide variety of diabetic socks. As usual, They are designed to minimize injury to your feet while keeping your feet dry and warm.
To find the right pair of socks, you simply have to try to find the brand and style that best suits your needs.
These are some of the characteristics that diabetic socks have:
- Withouth stitches. The seams can easily cause blisters or ulcers on the skin when rubbed against it. That is why diabetic socks lack them.
- They absorb moisture. Keeping your feet dry is important to prevent infections and fungi.
- Breathable. They are made of fabrics that allow ventilation of moisture and keep the foot dry.
- Warm. Diabetes often causes blood vessels to narrow and poor blood circulation causes heat to drain away. Fabrics that help keep your feet warm will also improve your circulation.
- Square tip. Narrow toe socks can be overly tightening. This causes discomfort and allows moisture to accumulate.
- Adaptable. Many diabetic socks fit your feet and legs. This prevents the fabric from hanging loose and bulging against the foot. Sometimes it can put pressure on you and cause injury.
- Padded. The padded fabrics of this type of sock protect the foot from chafing with the shoe and absorb shocks, thus preventing injuries.
What should you consider when choosing your socks?
As we have mentioned before, it is about choosing a pair of socks that are particularly suited to what you need as a diabetic person.
If you have not developed any type of neuropathy, it is as simple as choosing the socks with which you feel most comfortable .
If, on the other hand, you have new symptoms or signs of worsening neuropathy, you should consult with your doctor about which would be the best option for you.
When you suffer from neuropathy and are looking for a good pair of socks, it is important that you consider your current condition.
In cases such as dryness or cracking of the skin, those of soft material will be your best option.
If your neuropathy is advanced, to the point of not having sensitivity, it is important that you wear socks that fit perfectly to the foot and that do not have seams to avoid that the bulges of the fabric rub against your skin and cause injuries.
Choosing the right diabetic socks also means keeping in mind that they fit your foot enough, but not so tight that it affects your circulation.
Avoid tight-fitting socks or socks with the rubber band on top, as this will worsen blood flow to your feet.
Accessorize diabetic socks with the correct shoes
You have a large number of options to choose the sock that best suits your needs. However, you should also take your shoes into account.
Remember that no socks will help if your shoe is abusing the feet and causing sores and ulcers.
Diabetic neuropathy can be very serious, but you can avoid complications by looking for some socks and suitable shoes.
If you feel like you need help, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or podiatrist. They are the ones who can give you a professional opinion about what considerations you should take into account.