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. It is important to get the right type of socks to keep your feet comfortable and well-protected. Your feet actually produce about a cup of perspiration every day, which may be a challenge to keep them dry. Knowing different materials can help keep your feet high and dry when you slip on a pair. Sock materials come in a wide range of natural and synthetic fibres or a combination of both. They may be made of natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, rayon, silk or wool. Cotton is one of the most common and popularly used materials because it is breathable, soft and cushiony. It also has dress socks the ability to resist heat and absorb moisture off the foot. Linen is lightweight and moisture absorbent at the same time strong and durable a material as well. Rayon, on the other hand is derived from modified cellulose that gives socks a soft feel and makes it easy to wash too. Silk is lightweight and luxurious but can be costly while wool is taken from sheep's hair. Wool socks are very popular because they are soft and easy to care for. Wool is an excellent insulating fibre that regulates your body's temperature, thus keeping you cool or warm depending on the season. Moreover, wool socks can resist fungus and odour accumulation. Some of the most commonly used types of wool are Alpaca, Merino, Shetland and Worsted. Another material is cashmere, which is lightweight and very luxurious. Cashmere is taken from goat's hair, which makes it expensive. To get the softest feel and enough warmth from your cashmere socks, try a 4-ply, which have about 200 grams of cashmere. To keep your cashmere socks in good condition, experts recommend that you handwash them before using it for the first time. On the other hand, socks may also be made of synthetic materials, which include acrylic, nylon, polyester, polypropylene and spandex. Athletic socks, as well as casual and dress socks are usually made from acrylic fibers because they absorb moisture, easy to maintain and are soft. Nylon is soft and elastic yet strong and durable and is commonly used in both novelty and men's dress socks. These kinds,and other specialty socks also use polyester, which dries easily, is easy to maintain and usually blended with other fibres. Meanwhile, polypropylene is a soft yet strong material that is used to enhance the thermal, stretching and wicking properties. Spandex stretches up to five times its size that is commonly used as a sock top for a better and more comfortable fit. This material is also used in other support garments.
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