High levels of sugar in your system could lead to diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, could damage your nervous and circulatory systems. Those with severe diabetes develop nerve damage, which is decreased sensation or feeling in their feet. That makes their feet more susceptible to injuries. If you’re diabetic, here are some of the ways diabetic socks can help you.
Keeps Your Feet Dry
Socks for diabetes typically come with moisture-wicking properties. The socks are made from material that can wick away moisture from your feet, keeping them dry. Moisture could lead to fungal infection, which could be why you have smelly feet. More importantly, though, it could lead to the formation of blisters. Dry feet reduce any chances of that happening.
Reduces Rubbing
Another feature that diabetic socks have is that they have no seams. Seams put pressure points on your feet that could lead to friction, rubbing, and ultimately, blisters. Left untreated, those blisters could turn into ulcers, which are painful and make it difficult for you to move around. They could also develop into bigger problems.
Prevents Wounds
Diabetes is a condition wherein the glucose builds up in your bloodstream. This leads to necrosis, which damages your nerves and blood vessels and results in poor blood flow. So, if you get blisters or develop ulcers, the poor blood circulation means there’s little oxygen that gets to the damaged tissues. That could lead to an infection, one that might not heal. That’s why you hear about diabetics getting amputated. The necrosis in their feet have worsened, making amputation the only viable treatment to stop the infection from spreading.
Non-Constricting
Diabetic socks do not have garters. Instead, they have a loose and non-constricting design. Tight socks limit circulation. For people who are already dealing with circulatory issues, though, that’s the last thing they need. Also, the garters or tight fit could lead to friction and blisters. Blisters and open wounds must be avoided at all costs, so wearing diabetic socks help.
Warmth
Because of the lack of sensation and poor blood circulation in their feet, people with diabetes might get cold easily. Diabetic socks with the right padding help keep them warm. And because of the moisture-wicking properties, even if their feet sweat, the moisture will dry out.
Padding
The padding works like a cushion for sensitive areas of the feet. They prevent injuries and improve user comfort. Keep in mind that the little to no sensory perception in the feet mean that diabetics have a hard time knowing if they’re hurt or not. The skin in their feet is often cracked and dry because of the poor circulation, so getting hit or scratched could lead to open wounds. Padding helps prevent those injuries.
White Color
There’s a reason why you’ll often find diabetic socks in neutral shades or typically in white. It makes it easy to spot any traces of blood that could be from an injury that the patient might be unaware of. That way, they can seek out treatment as soon as possible, preventing infection.