For a diabetic, keeping your feet warm improves blood circulation. This is beneficial for both the health of nerves in your feet and the skin.
Socks play an important role here.
Some socks are specifically designed to improve circulation – not just keep your feet warm.
If you suffer from feet that feel cold all the time you don’t need to wear more than a single pair of socks, or socks over stockings.
The best option is to get Diabetic Socks.
Regular socks contain seams and could be lose fitting, factors that can increase sensitivity and friction around the foot. On the other hand, diabetic socks are generally designed to keep your feet warm, dry, and minimize foot injuries.
But the main debate centers on diabetic socks vs compression stockings.
Diabetic Socks vs Compression Stockings
Finding the most suitable pair of diabetic socks or Compression Stockings means looking at your individual needs.
There are lots of different types of diabetic socks currently available on the market. Unlike regular or standard socks, diabetic socks are typically made with cotton which is good at trapping moisture.
Besides that, you have a wide range of Compression stockings to choose from.
Diabetics who also suffer from peripheral arterial disease may be in need of compression stockings to boost circulation while reducing swelling of the feet. Compression stockings are designed to increase constriction.
However, not all diabetics can use compression stockings.
All this makes it pretty challenging for a diabetic to know which type to choose.
Before digging deeper into the hot topic of diabetic socks vs compression stockings, let’s look at some basics regarding the use of diabetic socks.
Why Use Special Diabetes Socks?
People with diabetes require more than constant monitoring of insulin and blood sugar levels. They also have other health concerns to contend with.
For instance, they are at a higher risk of foot infection and injuries caused by elevated levels of blood sugar. That damages their nervous and circulatory systems, especially in the lower limbs.
Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage decreases sensation on your feet and increases chances of injury.
With such conditions, you could be unaware of an injury and unknowingly delay treatment.
Circulatory problems complicate the wound healing process, because it limits the healing properties of your blood. Additionally, high blood sugar levels make your immune system sluggish.
These health complications can create a serious medical situation potentially leading to leg amputation or death. Estimates show that close to 70% of all leg amputations happen among diabetic patients.
That’s why you need specially made diabetic socks.
The Differences: Diabetic Socks vs Compression Stockings
Perhaps because both compression stockings and diabetic socks often feature compression attributes, people tend to confuse them. Even the terms are frequently used interchangeably.
The truth is the two are not exactly the same product.
Here are some points of interest when comparing diabetic socks vs compression stockings.
Although both often have compression features, it’s not always the case with diabetic socks.
In fact, one significant feature of diabetic socks is their non-binding nature. This is particularly important because the feet and legs of a diabetic shouldn’t be restricted too much.
Tightness can cause blisters in diabetics suffering from nerve damage. Such blisters can easily progress to ulcers.
Instead, you need freely flowing blood circulation.
Many diabetic socks also have pads on the soles to provide a cushion against eruption of sores. Generally, the socks have seamless features without rough material that can scratch your skin.
On the other hand, compression stockings – also known as support socks – normally focus on one key aspect: compression bands.
Compression stockings have multiple features but the main purpose is to offer compression. Different from diabetic socks, compression stockings often have compression bands beginning at the ankle level moving up all the way. That’s unlike diabetic socks which only have one or two bands.
Using Diabetic Socks vs Compression Stockings
Similar to diabetic socks, compression stockings are also designed to help with foot-related problems. However, they are usually used in treating swelling (edema) by applying pressure on the lower legs to reduce swelling and maintain blood flow.
The main purpose of compression stockings is to exert sufficient pressure around the legs, forcing an increase in the blood pressure that’s needed to pump blood back to the veins. This facilitates more blood returned to the heart faster thus averting swelling and formation of blood clots.
Athletes usually use compression socks to enhance performance or for specific medical conditions, including:
- varicose veins
- edema
- lymphedema
- venous insufficiency
- deep vein thrombosis
Female athletes can also use compression socks during pregnancy.
Therefore, unlike diabetic socks, compression stockings are best suited for high performance athletics.
On the other hand, diabetic socks are designed specifically for healthy and comfortable feet; hence, can be worn by anyone who wants comfort and quality. Diabetics will certainly benefit from these socks because of their design features.
Benefits: Diabetic Socks vs Compression Stockings
As you consider what’s good for you in terms of diabetic socks vs compression stockings, here are the benefits to consider.
Compression stockings are mostly used by diabetics as a preventative and comfort measure for the feet and legs. They offer a broad range of benefits like having mild to moderate graduated compression. This means the strongest support is at the level of the ankles, gradually decreasing upwards towards the knee.
Remember that limited blood flow to the feet can worsen diabetic foot injuries and slow down the process of healing. Using compression stockings help maintain proper blood flow to the lower foot extremities; hence, averting potentially harmful problems.
You also have to take care of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) complications.
One DVT complication known as Post Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS) can negatively impact your life in a great way. DVT is a long-term medical condition that causes changes in your skin, triggers ulcers, as well as causing other painful symptoms. Because it can trigger serious complications, your doctor may recommend that you start using DVT compression stockings.
Such stockings help in reducing swelling by improving flow of blood to your lungs and heart.
The usefulness of diabetic socks and compression stockings are due to their special design and features.
Typically, diabetic socks for both women and men range from the level of the ankle to the knee. Diabetic compression stockings are non-constricting and latex-free. They generally contain antibacterial properties and moisture wicking.
They protect your feet from wounds, cuts, sores, possible infection, as well as any other diabetic foot complications.
Diabetic compression socks help in relieving discomfort and improve edema, effectively improving the quality of life.
For best results, wear compression stockings daily, from morning to bedtime.
Ideally, your diabetic socks should be washed immediately after taking them off. That prevents growth of bacteria, especially if your feet have complications like blisters, ulcers, or other foot injuries.
Diabetic socks are delicately designed and should be treated delicately.
If cared for well, your diabetic socks could serve you for up to 6 months even when worn regularly.
Caution on Using Compression Stockings
Compression stockings are available in different tightness levels.
Therefore, you should find a pair that exerts the right pressure for your needs. You can choose between a full-length compression stocking, a knee-high, or a thigh-high.
If you have swelling below the knee, your doctor may recommend that you use a knee-high. A full-length or thigh-high pair may be appropriate if the swelling is above your knee.
Using graduated compression stockings that exert more pressure at the foot level and less on the calves helps in maintaining proper blood circulation to your lower extremities. The pressure improves sensitivities of the nerves and prevents swelling. But, diabetics using them are also exposed to a higher risk of developing foot ulcers.
Besides, compression socks are not all one size.
They provide varying levels of pressure, measured in terms of millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The range can vary from 8-15mmHg (very light compression) to 40-50mmHg (extra firm compression).
Different compression levels treat different conditions.
Stronger compression levels may not be necessarily better. Therefore, you should always seek the advice of your doctor before you begin wearing compression stockings.
Usually, compression stockings are not recommended for diabetics as they can restrict circulation of blood. But, some research points out that mild compression socks can help diabetics with legs edema. The safest bet is to only wear them when recommended by the doctor, since they can trigger complications which you could certainly do without.
If compressions stockings work for you, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The styles of graduated compression stockings available today are not only comfortable to wear but extremely attractive. They have the feel and look of normal, athletic, or casual socks with the added advantage of being therapeutic.
Lower compression stockings are available that are good when travelling by air or if you spend lots of time on your feet. They help reduce ankle and foot swelling.
Conclusion
The choice of diabetic socks vs compression stockings calls for a delicate balance and sober analysis.
Sometimes, the functions and benefits of diabetic socks and compression stockings overlap.
Other times, they contrast.
The features of diabetic socks can blend into those of compression stockings and vice versa. Diabetes socks are good at protecting feet from injury. They protect skin but are not good at improving circulation.
To push blood out of the lower limbs and back to the heart, a diabetic needs something stronger like compression socks. They are close-fitting, tightly knit socks designed to gently squeeze the legs and feet.
Note that some doctors caution diabetics against using compression stockings for fear they could dangerously squeeze arteries.
Although diabetics should ideally not use true compression stockings, those suffering from venous insufficiency can opt to use the stockings for purposes of mild compression (following a doctor’s guidance). Compression stockings help boost blood pressure in the lower part of the legs by narrowing the blood vessels diameter.
The post Managing Your Diabetes: Diabetic Socks vs Compression Stockings appeared first on Diabetic Shoes For Men & Women, Branded Foot Care Company Specialist.
