There are many complications that can occur as a result of having diabetes and some of these are centred around poor circulation. High levels of glucose can damage blood vessels and in turn create a build up of plaque on the vessel walls, which restricts the flow of blood and thus weakens circulation. This can then result in a loss of sensation in the feet (peripheral neuropathy), meaning certain issues may go unnoticed until they have worsened or to a point where the damage is irreversible.
If you are diabetic you have a much greater risk of developing foot problems. You may feel more pain in your feet, experience more cramps, and any cuts or sores you have may not heal as quick. This in itself sounds manageable, if left untreated however it can develop into ulcers, infections and at the extreme may end in amputation.
The best and first thing you should do is to seek advice from your GP, but there are also lots of products out there that can ease some of your suffering and make your day to day life as pain free as possible. One such product is socks specifically aimed at people with diabetes.
What Features Should I Look For In Diabetic Socks?
You might be wondering what makes diabetic socks so different to any other regular pair of socks out there; surely a sock is a sock right? In actual fact there are lots of features you should be looking out for to ensure you get the best fitting and most comfortable feeling pair of socks for your needs.
Things you should be looking out for include:
- Non-elasticated cuffs – to stop the socks from cutting into the leg.
- Seamless/no prominent seams – to reduce the risk of rubbing.
- Moisture wicking material – to keep feet dry and to help prevent odours.
- Light colours – to show up any wounds that are seeping and need attention.
- Soft material – to reduce the chance of blisters caused by friction.
- Padded soles – to aid comfort, particularly useful when standing for long periods of time.
- Warm Material – to improve blood circulation, especially in the winter.
As you can see, there is a plenty to think about, especially as all of these factors can help keep your feet healthy and injury free, so it’s well worth taking the time to research a good quality pair of diabetic socks.
Thankfully we’ve done some of the research for you and have come across these two different types of diabetic socks from +MD. Let’s take a look at them in a bit more detail:
+MD Diabetic Crew Socks With Cushion Sole
First up we have the +MD Diabetic Crew Socks which have an ultra soft cushioned sole to not only provide the ultimate in comfort, but to ensure they last a long time too. Available in black, brown, white and mixed, these socks have been specially woven from soft spinning yarn to be non-restrictive and to promote circulation. The eagle eyed among you will spot that these socks have a toe seam and a cuff, however the toe seam is hidden away such that there is no irritation and the cuff is non-binding meaning the socks stay up but don’t restrict circulation in the legs.
The socks are available as a pack of 6, almost enough for a pair every day of the week, but it does at least mean there is enough time to wash them in between wears, which of course is another important factor in making sure your feet stay fresh and healthy! The targeted ventilation mesh knit of the socks allows optimum airflow and also helps to accelerate sweat evaporation. Keeping moisture away from the feet is so important as it reduces the risk of infection, plus helps to prevent any of those nasty sweaty foot odours from building up. The Polyester/Spandex/Nylon mix yarn is both comfortable and supportive, as well as providing warmth when you need it, but also cool circulation when it is required.
Although none of us here have diabetes and so therefore cannot 100% review them as though we do, we did wear them for a whole day and can vouch that they stay up and they didn’t leave any tell tale markings on the skin. The socks are comfortable and non restrictive
+MD Diabetic Bamboo Over The Knee Socks
If you suffer from bad circulation, it is advisable to wear longer socks to help support and provide comfort to both the legs and the feet. These over the knee socks are perfect and have the added bonus of being made from 87% Bamboo, 10% Nylon, 2% Spandex, and 1% Polyester. Bamboo fibre has some amazing qualities that make this the ideal material for diabetic socks. Firstly it is incredibly soft, thus reducing the chance of abrasion when wearing them and also helping to avoid breaking sensitive skin when putting them on and taking them off. Secondly, bamboo has fantastic moisture wicking abilities meaning it is able to wick away sweat and allow the feet to stay dry but to also breathe better too. And thirdly, bamboo is really lightweight and non restrictive, in fact it is one of the most comfortable materials you could use, so it is especially good for diabetic socks.
Like the first pair of socks we showed you these are also non-binding and have a soft stretchy top to allow easier blood circulation and to reduce indentation on the legs. The extra padding at the toe and heel again offer extreme comfort and the toe seam is smooth, therefore avoiding discomfort and friction issues.
Diabetic socks may at first glance seem like ordinary socks, but as you can see there are lots of things to consider and lots of features that can help.
It is worth pointing out that not everyone with diabetes needs diabetic socks, but it would be recommended if say for example you have a job that involves being on your feet for long periods of time or if you are planning on going on a long journey, particularly if you are taking a flight. For those who are already experiencing foot problems as a result of their diabetes it is recommended to make the switch to diabetic socks in order to reduce the risk of further problems and to make your life as comfortable as possible.
*products gifted for review
