Over 36 million people in America have diabetes, making it a concerning factor for older adults, teens, and children. Most of these cases are of type 2 diabetes which happens in people over 40 but has recently been seen in young adults. Diabetes is genetic and also has causal factors such as stress. Meanwhile, there are various ways to treat diabetes: medicines, insulin, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, etc. One such change also includes using different socks.
You might wonder how regular socks affect people with diabetes. So to put it in simple words, foot care is a vital part of maintaining diabetes. High blood sugar levels often affect the nerves causing less sensation in the foot area, increasing your chances of a foot injury.
Now diabetic socks are vital in maintaining blood flow by not restricting the area. As such, diabetic circulation socks are not just essential for people with diabetes but for anyone who needs them, such as those with peripheral artery disease. Likewise, choosing diabetic socks over regular socks has made a difference in many lives. Even pregnant women who often suffer from swelling saw a difference after switching to diabetic socks. And if you still aren’t convinced, here are some features and advantages of using diabetic socks:
Diabetes Patients
Diabetic patients often have a problem with slow blood circulation that interferes with sensation and nerve damage. Nerve damage near the foot usually decreases sense in that area, causing foot injury. And with diabetic patients, the healing process is also slower, causing more pain and difficulty in achieving daily tasks. So these special socks help with these problems by having a non-binding design that encourages blood flow instead of restricting circulation. And unlike regular socks that don’t have soft padding or soft material that makes healing comfortable to the user, diabetic socks ensure that your feet are protected during those cuts and sores, enhancing the healing process.
No Sweating Problems
You often notice regular socks dampen your feet within the first hour of use; this makes the process uncomfortable. But choosing diabetic socks, on the other hand, helps with these issues. The socks are made of moisture-wicking material that allows the sweat to evaporate, leaving no room for foot odour. And as long as your feet are dry, the chances of fungal infections, blisters, or any other issue decrease. This way, you can save yourself from the embarrassment of foot odour and the heavy pain of blisters.
Antimicrobial Properties
Regular socks use cotton and other materials that often accumulate dust and other infections. Diabetic socks, on the other hand, use materials such as bamboo or artificial fibre that have antimicrobial properties. In simpler words, it has a protective layer for blisters that are less likely to be hard on the feet. So blisters increase due to friction caused by rough yarns. Diabetic socks, on the other hand, use softer yarns to provide comfort from the pain.
Easy Maintenance
Cheaper fabrics or regular socks often leave lint behind when used or washed frequently. But investing in diabetic socks lessens your maintenance burden and can also be used for six months without damage. However, replacing the socks after six months or using a mesh bag to increase their longevity is suggested.
Using diabetic circulation socks can be a blessing for people with diabetes since foot care is a vital part of diabetes and affects a large population. As such, these socks can lessen the chances of injury and help heal if an injury has occurred.