Can something as simple as a diabetic sock really reduce the risk of leg amputation? Well, yes, actually it can! Almost 70% of all amputations occur due to some sort of complication down to one of the side effects of diabetes. But healthy feet can greatly reduce the risk.
Here are 6 health benefits of socks for diabetes sufferers:
#1 Less Irritation - Less irritation is a key feature of the diabetic sock. That is why they have been given a seamless design.
The problem with regular socks is they often have uncomfortable seams that rub against your foot causing friction. Without even really noticing it these socks can cause blisters and other open sores.
The seamless design of a diabetic sock greatly reduces friction. This means that you won’t have to worry about friction and rubbing in the first place. And the result? Fewer cuts and blisters.
#2 Less Pressure - But the traditional seam isn’t the only source of irritation from a regular sock. That is why wrinkle-proof material is also used.
Socks that are prone to wrinkle tend to bunch up in certain areas and put pressure on your feet, much like the traditional seam.
By using wrinkle-free material this problem becomes a thing of the past. So friction and sores are reduced even further.
#3 Get Better Circulation - Another clever design feature unique to the diabetes sock is the non-binding top.
Traditionally binding tops are used to hold the sock in place, either through tighter stitching or elastic.
While this is perfectly acceptable in theory, in practice this hampers circulation, even for those people with normally good circulation.
Diabetes sufferers already have reduced circulation. This is due to arteries becoming blocked and less ‘flexible’ due to high sugar levels. This means that blood-flow is already reduced.
However, the non-binding top allows for the best foot circulation possible.
#4 Less Moisture - 2 problems with having sweaty feet: 1. Wet socks! Sweaty feet make wet socks. And what do wet socks do? Stick to your feet! Once you sock sticks to your foot it can cause more friction, increasing the chance of cuts and blisters developing.
2. Allows bacteria to breed. Bacteria love to breed in a warm moist environment. What better place than a moist shoe?
Socks for diabetes are made from breathable materials (mostly cotton). The benefits of this are increased breathe-ability, your feet sweat less, and any foot moisture is drawn away from the skin and can evaporate from the sock.
Less moisture equals less friction and less bacteria. And this means a healthier, happier foot!
#5 Less Chance of Infection - I’ve spoken about the features of diabetic socks that reduce friction, increase circulation and reduce moisture. But I haven’t said much about why these features are so important.
The #1 benefit of the diabetic sock is the reduced chance of infection.
Controlling friction is key as it gets right to the source of the problem. If you control friction, through seamless, wrinkle-proof material, then you reduce the chances of blisters and sores happening in the first place.
While most people take blisters and sores as a painful but short-lived inconvenience, this is not the case if you have diabetes…
Unfortunately for somebody with diabetes, blisters are more likely to turn into a foot ulcer. This is down to poor circulation and a loss of sensation in the foot (nerve damage).
Poor circulation hampers the blood’s flow around the body, meaning that your natural healing process is nowhere near as effective. And this increases the chance of sores getting infected.
By improving circulation where possible (non-binding tops) diabetic socks make sure that your immune system can work at its full potential.
Finally let’s talk about the importance of moisture control.
You’ll remember that bacteria loves to breed in a warm, moist environment. And it’s this bacteria that could cause sores and blisters to become infected and possible even turn into a foot ulcer.
The breathable materials found in diabetic socks are a direct measure to combat this problem. So now there is no need to become one of the 20% of diabetes sufferers that suffers from a foot ulcer.
#6 Sores Heal Faster - Of course it is virtually impossible to avoid some sort of foot irritation for your entire life, even with the correct footwear!
The same features of diabetes socks that reduce the chance of infection also mean that the time it takes for foot complaints to heal is cut down.
Are you diabetic? If so you’ll love the security that diabetic socks give you. Why not try the #1 selling Sensifoot diabetic socks right now and feel the difference.
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