Diabetes is a disease that can often require many medical devices for daily treatment and monitoring. The most common consumables include blood glucose meters, blood glucose test strips, lancets and syringes.

Although not many people find diabetes socks necessary, they can sometimes be crucial for better health and the prevention of various complications, such as foot ulcers.  If you are wondering whether you should invest in diabetes socks, this article will help you decide by explaining the following topics:

What are diabetes socks?

Diabetes (diabetic) socks are specially designed socks to:

1) reduce pressure in the lower leg and foot

2) prevent blistering of skin surfaces and

3) to minimize the accumulation of moisture.

Ultimately, it’s all about protecting your feet and providing maximum comfort.  These socks are usually non-elasticated and ‘seamless’.  The non-elasticated (or reduced elastication) feature is to help prevent constriction due to swelling in feet and ankle areas, such as can be the case with diabetes and other foot-related problems.  The seamless design can help to minimize friction on nerves and minimizes neurological discomfort and pain.  Diabetes socks often just fit snugly to avoid restrictions in the calf from a tight sock cord that can restrict circulation.  When blood flow decreases, it becomes harder for the body to heal.  High blood sugar that oftne accompanies diabetes also causes the immune system to slow down.  Specialized socks are one way to combat this duo of problems to help work towards the prevention of future amputation or even death from foot injuries.

Apart from the two special features, these socks are always lightly padded on the sole and thicker material to prevent injuries.  At the same time, moisture transport is increased so that sweat and moisture from the shoes do not remain between the sock and the foot.  Keeping your feet dry puts your feet at less risk of developing blisters and fungal infections.

Diabetes socks – only suitable for diabetics?

Many diabetics can often have little feeling in their feet, toes and legs (peripheral polyneuropathy), as well as having circulatory disorders. Therefore, you should pay special attention to the legs and feet of a diabetic and when buying socks make sure that diabetic socks are either wider on the shaft or the cuff is without elastic.  Special knitting techniques such as piqué cuffs or soft cuffs ensure a good fit without cutting into the leg, which is particularly important for diabetics.  If the sock cuff is particularly tight, it could further impede blood flow.  The toe seam of the sock should not be too bulky either, as it could cause pressure points.  An affected diabetic would not feel that the toe seam pinches because of the numbness in feet and legs. If they have been walking all day, toes may be injured, which would take a long time to heal due to the disease.  That’s why diabetes socks should have a soft, hand-linked seam or other seam that helps reduce this risk. They should have a perfect fit across the entire surface. If socks are ill-fitting and wrinkled, a diabetic could get sore without realizing it and suffer serious injuries. This also does not impede blood circulation. Some socks for diabetics are additionally equipped with silver. They have an antibacterial effect and ensure hygiene and freshness on the foot and in the shoe. Silver has been used by mankind for centuries against the proliferation of harmful fungi and bacteria. The positive effect of silver was already known at the beginning of the 20th century. Since silver was intensively studied by numerous scientists and recognized as a proven germicidal agent. However, we ourselves are not entirely convinced that diabetic socks must be made of silver and therefore antibacterial, since the feet of a diabetic are usually given appropriate medical care.

Diabetic socks are not only suitable for diabetics but….

they are also used by other people who do not have any health restrictions. They are preferred for their comfortable, non-cinching cuff and fitting, as the socks are more comfortable to put on due to the wide, stretchy cuff.

Diabetes Socks – Should I buy them?

At Well Heeled, we try not to say our diabetic socks are a ‘must by’ as that not always be the case.  It’s really up to you to make the decision for yourself or a loved one as to whether or not and product that can help you with comfort and reduce risks is for you.  You know your life much better than we do of course!  Our diabetes socks have been designed and made with people living with diabetes in mind, but also for everyday comfort wear when you may need a sock with a little (or lot!) more stretch.