Whenever I mention the words diabetic socks, I almost always get the same questions, -what are diabetic socks and what do they do?

The generic answer is to protect your foot and prevent complications like infections and amputations. It is the design of the sock that is useful to the diabetic. I am not sure that the socks were invented specifically for diabetics, but they certainly are useful and the name has stuck and become a standard in the sock business.

Diabetic socks are a non-binding type of sock. They are loosely knit and have a lot of stretch in the part that covers the ankle and calf. The bottoms normally have extra padding and the socks are usually designed to have no seams or very smooth seams. They are made in such a way that the skin can breathe easily and some have special moisture-wicking capabilities. That is the mechanical properties of the socks. These properties make them useful to people suffering with many foot and leg characteristics.

Because the feet and legs are our main source of mobility, they get a lot of wear and tear in their day to day life. Diabetes affects the body in many ways including some which are dangerous to our feet and ankles. Poor circulation, nerve damage and the ability to fight infections are the main dangers to the feet.

Peripheral Neuropathy is damage to the nerves. It is caused by diabetes and is common in the feet in hands. Its symptoms can include numbness, tingling, pain and sensitivity to touch. Because of the numbness the feet can suffer injuries a diabetic may not notice that a person with normal health would react to right away. Some of these injuries can be caused by the shoes and socks we wear. If a seam in a sock was abrasive to our foot or toe it could cause blisters or abrasions that go unnoticed. If that seam wore on the foot all day long the injury could be quite severe. Going uncleaned all day would very likely cause an infection.

Diabetics also suffer from a loss of circulation in the feet which make it even harder for the body to fight that infection. The infection drives the blood sugar higher and the high blood sugar feeds the infection.

The socks are loose fitting and non-binding so that they do not irritate or cause pain for those suffering from neuropathy. Many suffering from neuropathy are sensitive to touch and the binding socks can cause pain. Tight fitting socks can cause the same sort of abrasions around the top of the sock as those rough seams in the heel and toe area caused in the previous example. Many diabetics also suffer from peripheral edema where the lower legs tend to swell due to retention of water in those area and this makes the normal sock cut into the skin even deeper.

Most diabetic socks have more padding in the soles which protects the sole of the foot more than a regular sock. It can protect the foot from the textures and seams on the sole of the shoe and allow more padding between the foot and obstacle on the ground or small bits of sand or stone that may enter the shoe.

Most of these socks are designed to breathe easily and prevent moisture from building on the feet and toes. Moisture is an enemy to healthy feet. The diabetic socks are made to wick away the moisture and allow ventilation to help keep the feet dry.

Wearing diabetic socks is probably a good idea for everyone. The increased risk of serious complications from minor injuries in diabetics make these socks a must have for the diabetic.



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