My dad has diabetes and his feet are a problem so I thought I would touch on this topic a bit. People suffering from diabetes usually have two main problems with their feet. First, they may not be able to feel pain in their lower leg region. If a diabetic happens to cut, bruise, or injure their foot in any way, it is very common for them to not feel anything at all. Conditions such as foot ulcers and general foot pain are likely to go unnoticed in these individuals for a long period of time. This condition, also called diabetic or peripheral neuropathy, is caused by high blood sugar levels. It normally leads to damage of the nervous system in the patient’s extremities. The second challenge facing diabetics is a decreased level of blood circulation in the same extremities. People that have bad circulation require more time for injuries to heal along with other health complications. Without proper care, these problems can lead to more serious health issues. However, these two conditions can be managed better by using diabetic socks.
These socks can be made from different readily available materials. However, some doctors recommend cotton socks for diabetics found here because of their softness, while others prefer acrylic because of its ability to draw out any moisture or liquid such as blood. Keeping your feet dry helps to prevent foot infections from occurring. For these socks to be effective, they need to fit well, help promote blood flow, and the wearer has to be comfortable in them. Extra padding can also go a long way in helping patients who are at risk of ulcers in their feet. Moreover, it is advisable to invest in bright colored diabetic socks since they make it easy to spot blood from any injuries.
Unlike traditional socks with seams that could cause irritation, diabetic socks are mainly seamless, although some of them come with minimal seams. They also have free non-binding tops that lack tight elastic bands found in ordinary socks. This is to allow improved blood circulation in constricted blood vessels in the feet.
In order to aid in blood circulation and avoid pooling, some socks are designed to function as compression socks. Such socks have strong elastic material that can tighten up lower leg regions, feet and ankles in order to facilitate continuous flow of blood. Ideal compression socks should stretch to the wearer’s knees. In order to establish if you need compression diabetic socks, it is advisable to consult your physician who can ascertain your needs and thus make an informed recommendation.
Finding these medical socks should not be an issue. There are numerous online and traditional stores which carry diabetic socks. Specialty catalogs and several online medical stores have them in their foot care sections. Moreover, pharmacies, some shoe stores and a number of department stores also sell them. It is vital that you read the packaging label to find out if they help with your circulation related issues or loss of sensation before making a purchase. Some are designed to be effective in helping people suffering from both conditions. Other than being seamless, most diabetes experts prefer white cotton socks that have been treated with an anti-fungal.
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