Diabetic Sock Features

• Diabetic socks are thick, loose-fitting (but not saggy) socks made from breathable material. They are made not to constrict the feet unnecessarily. Many are also padded on the soles and completely seamless.
  
  

Diabetoc Socks' Purpose

• Diabetics often suffer from nerve damage (neuropathy) in the feet and easily develop ulcers, called neuropathic ulcers, on the skin of the feet. Even a small blister on the foot of a diabetic may turn into a large, dangerous ulcer. The purpose of the diabetic sock design, therefore, is to minimize restriction and chafing of a diabetic's sensitive feet.
  
  

Support Sock Features

• When a person uses the term "support socks," she often really means compression socks. These are made of compressing material (such as spandex) to apply compression to the legs. The compression is graduated, which means the socks are tighter in some areas than others--support hose are tighter around the feet and ankles and become looser farther up the leg.
  
  

Support Socks' Purpose

• These socks are sometimes recommended for people suffering from circulatory disorders--for example, those prone to blood clots in the legs may be told to wear support socks. The reason for this is that the socks prevent blood from pooling in the lower limbs.
  Although these socks, with their compressing fit rather than loose fit, are much the opposite of diabetic socks, sometimes a diabetic with a heart condition may need to wear support socks for a while (on one or both legs).
  
  

Considerations

• Diabetic socks and other kinds of therapeutic socks usually cost much more than regular socks. However, the pain and medical expenses these may prevent can be worth it.
  
  If you aren't sure whether you should be wearing diabetic socks or compression socks, please talk to your doctor. Both kinds of are available without a prescription--however, compression socks are not suitable for everyone.