Living with diabetes means paying attention to the details, especially when it comes to foot health! One of the small but important details is wearing the correct socks, specifically a diabetes-friendly sock. You might wonder why socks matter so much, but for clients with diabetes, the right sock can help them prevent complications such as blisters, or fungal infections and helps support overall foot health.
What Are Diabetic Socks?
Diabetic socks are specially designed to reduce the risk of foot injuries. They provide cushioning and enhance circulation. For clients with diabetes, reduced circulation or neuropathy (nerve damage) can make feet more vulnerable to wounds, blisters or infections. Diabetic socks are made with the following features:
- Seamless toes: This prevents friction and pressure wounds.
- Sag resistance: Non-restricting to the leg but also prevents slipping down the leg, which can cause friction and pressure on the foot and ankle.
- No bind top: Does not bind or restrict blood circulation. No leg indentations from elastics!
- Cushion: Added protection while minimizing irritation to sensitive feet.
So, why are diabetic socks so important and why you should consider wearing them if you have diabetes?
- Protects Skin: The seamless, cushioned socks reduce the risk of blisters and pressure wounds. For clients with diabetes, even a small blister can lead to major issues if left untreated.
- Improves Circulation: The sag resistance and light compression from the diabetic socks help to improve the blood flow to the legs and feet.
- Moisture Management: Diabetic socks wick away moisture, keeping your feet dry. This reduces the risk of infections, especially fungal infections. For clients prone to sweating or who are on their feet a lot, this can make a significant difference.
- Cushioning: Extra padding, especially in the toes and heels, reduces pressure in those areas of the foot. This is especially helpful if you have reduced sensation and need more protection from external impacts.
Tips to Keeping Your Diabetic Feet Healthy:
While diabetic socks are essential in keeping your feet healthy, there are other steps you can take to keep your feet healthy.
- Daily Foot Inspections: Check your feet daily for any cuts, blisters or swelling/redness. Catching injuries early can help you keep your feet! Use a handheld mirror to inspect the bottom of your feet if you cannot bend enough to see them well.
- Proper Footwear: Choosing the proper footwear is crucial. Shoes that are too tight or too short create pressure points on the feet, while wearing shoes that are too big can cause rubbing and blisters. A BioPed Clinician can recommend the best option for your needs.
- Moisturize: Keeping your skin hydrated is key to preventing cracks that can turn into infections. Just remember to avoid moisturizing between the toes to prevent fungal overgrowth.
- Staying Active: Light physical activity, such as walking for 30 minutes a day can help with blood circulation to the lower limbs.
With the right care and support, clients with diabetes can keep their feet healthy and continue living life to the fullest. Diabetic socks are one small, easy step in the right direction, offering comfort and protection that can make a big difference. Managing your foot health is a multi-faceted effort. Whether it’s finding the right footwear, or adding orthotics, there are plenty of ways to improve your comfort and mobility. We’re here to help you take care of your feet, so you can stay active and do more of what you love.
