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Have you ever heard someone talk about or seen an ad for diabetic socks? Did you wonder what the deal was – what would an inability to properly process sugars have to do with what kind of socks you wear?

As a kid, I remember being in awe of why my grandmother would want to wear overpriced socks with holes in the toes. As I got older and as a mixture of curiosity and my thirst for knowledge made me question her footwear choices out loud, I learned a few things about diabetes.

Being diabetic is about more than watching your sugar intake and occasionally poking yourself with a needle. Among other things, this autoimmune disease (meaning the immune system attacks part of the body) can lead to a harder time healing from wounds and surgery, circulation problems, and kidney failure.

So why the special socks?

Diabetic socks are not as tight as traditional socks. They are often made with extra cushioning at the heel and toes and feature special extras to help control sweat, foot odor, and infection. Their super-stretchiness is just enough to keep the socks up without hindering circulation as your feet and legs swell throughout the day. Their smooth wrinkle-free fit, which often doesn’t even have seams on the toes, reduces the risks of unnecessary pressure and of blisters. … Diabetic socks are just one of the ways that a person with circulation of foot sensitivity related problems can take care of theirself.

Open toe vs. closed toe diabetic socks

I mentioned earlier that what got me interested in diabetic socks was the holes in my grandmother’s socks. I do not want to give any wrong ideas here, so I will say that diabetic socks can come open-toe or closed-toe. Most of the ones I have seen were close toed. (I think Granny just got a good deal on open ones.)

If you are wondering which kind to get, I would go with close toe socks if you are still mobile and able to take care of yourself. But for those under the care of someone else, open toes can provide an easier way to take a peek and make sure circulation is good.

Although I have only seen white knee-highs, I hear that diabetic socks come in a variety of colors and styles. And they are one of those items where it is worth spending the extra money for a good, comfy, durable pair. Just remember to do a little research and read some reviews before settling on a style or brand.