Why It’s Important to Protect Your Feet If You Have Diabetes
Foot problems are more common in people with diabetes than in those without the disease. That’s because you can have damage to blood vessels in your legs and feet, which can affect circulation, promote swelling, and increase your risk for infection, among causing other diabetes complications. Each year, you should aim to have your feet examined by your diabetes care provider and, if you are aware that you have foot problems, by a diabetes specialist, such as a podiatrist. A foot exam typically includes a visual check of your feet for swelling or signs of infection, as well as tests that measure your level of sensation.
The Benefits of Compression Socks for People With Diabetes
Your diabetes care provider may prescribe compression socks to help prevent swelling, which, if left untreated, could increase your risk for foot infections. “Compression socks are hosiery that provides compression on the lower extremities — your feet, ankles, and legs — in order to control swelling and other issues,” says Jane Andersen, a doctor of podiatric medicine and a board-certified surgical podiatrist at InStride Chapel Hill Foot and Ankle Associates in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. If you’re thinking about buying compression socks for your feet, consider this a guide to help you pick the best pair to meet your needs and desired price point. First, here’s a look at the different types of compression socks available:
- Prescription-Strength Compression Socks A prescription should include the “strength,” a term used to describe the amount of compression in the socks, which is measured as millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Andersen says that the prescription should also note the recommended length of the socks: below-the-knee socks, thigh-high hose, or full-length panty hose. That’s why you’ll often hear them referred to as compression hose, not just compression socks, by your provider and in the rest of this article. If your insurance covers the cost of compression socks, you’ll need that prescription to buy them at the store. “Unfortunately, they are not always going to covered by insurance, and they’re fairly expensive [without it], so that’s something that the person, maybe, has to be prepared for,” says Karen Kemmis, a doctor of physical therapy and certified diabetes educator at the Joslin Diabetes Center at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. In addition to getting a prescription and considering the length, you should be measured for size, Andersen notes. Your healthcare provider may do this measurement, but you may also get fitted at a medical supply store that sells compression socks. The correct fit is integral to getting the right amount of compression, Andersen says.
- Over-the-Counter Compression Socks People with diabetes might find these light-compression socks helpful to prevent mild swelling, Kemmis says. You don’t need to be fitted by a professional for over-the-counter socks, she adds, but she recommends bringing your shoes with you when trying on and purchasing these socks because they tend to be thicker, like a gym sock.
- Compression Socks With Diabetes-Specific Features Look for compression socks without seams, Andersen and Kemmis agree. Because people with diabetes may have the nerve damage in their feet called diabetic neuropathy, they may not be able to feel irritation and sores that develop at a seam. These wounds can go unnoticed and become infected. Andersen also says that you can find compression hose with open toes that make inspecting your feet for cuts or sores easier. Your socks should also absorb moisture, says Kemmis, as this feature can help prevent bacterial infections, another risk that people with diabetes should have on their radar. She recommends looking for seamless, moisture-wicking materials, pointing out that these may be specifically marketed as “diabetes socks.” The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance/approval means that the sock has been reviewed by APMA podiatrists for promoting foot health, and it is another good feature to seek out, says Andersen. “And the best way to look for it is to actually just go to the website apma.org to see which products have the seal,” she says.
4 Tips for Putting On Prescription Compression Socks
Kemmis says that putting on prescription-strength hose can be difficult for some people, especially if you have dexterity problems like arthritis or trouble bending down to your feet. She and Andersen share these tips to help you put on compression socks more easily: Put on your socks first thing in the morning. “The most important thing is to put them on before your legs swell,” Andersen points out. If you have to take a shower or have been up and about in the morning, be sure to sit down and elevate your legs before putting them on, she adds. Use a sock aid. Devices such as a stocking donner made of silky material or a metal frame that holds your sock can help you pull up compression socks. Kemmis recommends purchasing a device from a medical supply store so you can learn how to use it properly. “I would sit in the store and I would have [the employees] teach you how to use it and make sure it works like it’s supposed to,” she adds. You can also find gloves specially designed for gripping compression hose. Andersen says that one of her patients uses rubber kitchen gloves to pull up his compression hose. Start from the bottom and work your way up. “Really reach your hands down inside the stocking and pull them gradually up,” says Andersen, describing the best way to ease your socks onto your feet. Buy two pairs of socks so you have one pair in reserve. Most compression socks should be washed by hand in the sink and hung up to dry completely, Kemmis says. Having two pairs on hand can help ensure that you will always have one pair dry and ready to put on when you wake up.
