Diabetic Socks

It might shock you to know that a national survey held in 2007 showed that approximately 9% of the US population suffers from diabetes mellitus. That’s about 25 million people. But the above figures are only rough estimates. You see, diabetes is one of those conditions that can remain undiagnosed within a seemingly healthy person for many years. Unfortunately, foot problems are one of the most common problems for diabetics.

In diabetics, the nerve cells are quickly lost. This leads to the loss of sensation. So, they cannot feel it even when the foot is hurt or injured. Additionally, due to poor blood circulation, injured parts of the foot cannot heal quickly. So diabetes can lead to many complications in the feet like reduced circulation, loss of sensation and delayed wound healing. When healing is delayed, there is the risk of infection. That is why doctors advise diabetics to take particular care of their feet. Even small problems could deteriorate quickly to the point of amputation. Wearing diabetic socks is one of the most recommended ways of protecting the feet of diabetic patients.

Diabetic socks are elastic without being too accommodative. Thus, they provide the right support for the feet and wrap around the contours to give a snug fit. High quality diabetic socks are not too tight. This is important because diabetics risk injury if the socks are too tight. Besides, tight fitting clothes further restrict blood flow, something that diabetics just cannot afford. Unfortunately, unlike healthy people, diabetics may not be able to judge whether the diabetic socks they are wearing has the right fit. So, it is highly recommended that diabetics choose high quality socks from reputed brands only.

At first, diabetic socks were thick socks that were worn simply to protect the feet from injury. But, diabetic socks have come a long way since then. Today, diabetic socks have many properties that are beneficial to the feet of diabetic patients, and they look good and feel wonderful.

Unlike regular socks that may sometimes be rough or scratchy, diabetic socks need to be soft and skin friendly. This is because diabetics are more sensitive and can easily get an injury even if there is the slightest discomfort. So, diabetic socks are made from specially designed materials. The material has to be elastic, hypoallergenic and breathable. All this is essential to keep the leg free of infection and injury. Diabetic socks do not have harmful dyes and additives as these may lead to infection. Also, unlike regular socks, diabetic socks will have no wrinkled seams. Toe seams are not seen in diabetic socks because the wrinkle at the seams may injure the foot. Additionally, the toe area is somewhat wider in diabetic socks so that the foot gets enough room to move and breathe. The material used is soft enough to give the foot a nice cushioning effect. This ensures safety and comfort.

Each year, a good number of diabetics undergo amputations. In most cases, these amputations are the result of minor injuries that could have been prevented and cured. So, keeping the feet healthy and strong is a vital part of diabetic care and management. Long term preventative measures such as the regular use of compression socks, good exercise and regular foot care are the only way this can be ensured.