Choosing Safe Diabetic Socks: What You Need to Know

April 5, 2025 at 4:58 pm

🧦 Can a Sock Actually Be Dangerous to Someone with Diabetes?

As a podiatrist, I’ve seen firsthand how socks can cause serious problems for diabetics with neuropathy (numbness of feet) and/or reduced blood flow. In this post, I’ll explore three ways socks can harm diabetic feet, what makes a diabetic sock safe, how to choose the right ones and perhaps most importantly where to find good diabetic socks..

Understanding the Diabetic Foot Health Spectrum

Before we dive into the dangers, it’s important to recognize that diabetic foot health exists on a spectrum. Some individuals have minimal risk—good sensation, controlled blood sugar, and normal blood flow. Others fall into the “high-risk” category, with numbness, poor blood flow, and uncontrolled blood sugar. This article focuses primarily on the high-risk diabetic foot.

Want to improve your diabetic foot health? Check out my videos on how to prevent and treat diabetic neuropathy.

3 Ways Socks Can Be Dangerous to a Diabetic

1. Improper Size or Fit

Oversized socks may bunch up and cause pressure points. Undersized socks can restrict circulation. Ensure proper alignment of the heel and toe with your foot.

Any pressure area can cause skin breakdown which I have seen lead to diabetic non-healing ulcers and infection. In patients with numb feet, they don't feel this pressure breaking down the skin until a wound or even an infection occurs.

2. Elastic Binding Tops

Tight tops can act like a tourniquet, especially in people with leg swelling. This can cause skin fissures and infection. Choose socks with wide, non-binding cuffs.

3. Holes in the Toes or Heels

Holes can tighten around toes and restrict blood flow acting like a tourniquet . This may go unnoticed in someone with neuropathy. This can lead to serious complications including gangrene.

Numbness from diabetic neuropathy usually starts at the toes first and subtly before you realize that you have lack of sensation. This increases your risk without you even knowing it.

Also blood vessel lumens of the toes are very narrow and easily blocked/ occluded with plaque formation in at risk diabetics. I have seen holes in socks cause pre-gangrenous conditions in a toe in my practice, luckily no outright gangrene thankfully.

So inspect your sock before so

So inspect your sock before you put them on and throw those holey socks away.

What Makes a Good Diabetic Sock?

Seamless Design: Prevents blisters and friction.
Moisture-Wicking Materials: Drymax, Merino wool, and CoolMax are top performers. This is important because the moisture against the skin can lead to blisters and this is where I see mystery blisters sometimes in the the diabetic foot.
Natural fibers like wool and cotton absorb but can be moisture laden compresses and then becomes unable to transport the sweat off the skin. An excpetion to this is merino wool. Merino wool is softer and finer than regular lamb's wool. Socks normallt have a blend of fibers and the cotton in the blend provides comfort and softness against the skin.

Sock fibers that are moisture-wicking from most to least:

Merino wool > Drymax with olefin > CoolMax( engineered polyester) > polyester > nylon > tencel > polypropylene > spandex (lycra) > bamboo > rayon > acrylic

Antimicrobial Properties: Look for copper or silver-infused fabrics.

Nano-silver infused socks inhibit bacterial growth . Copper lined socks inhibit bacterial growth but also neutralize the chemical that creates smelly feet. These are difficult to find. The only two I could find online were the drymax and balegra websites.

Proper Fit: Should not be too tight or too loose.
Soft and Breathable: Enhances comfort for daily wear.
Minimal Compression: Unless prescribed, avoid compressive socks.
Nonbinding Cuffs: Wide tops help avoid constriction.
Flat Construction: Avoid seams that can rub or irritate.

Tips for Buying Diabetic Socks

Stick to reputable brands. Avoid large online marketplaces. Here are some trusted options:

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you click one. Thank you!

Remember that sock fit is individualized like shoes so you need to make sure the sock company has a goor return policy.

Diabetic Sock Club: Return socks for up to one year if they get a hole.
Viasox: Also has a good return policy.

Note: Terms like “neuropathy sock” refer to extra padding and does not resolve neuropathy pain.

Even small sock issues can become big problems for diabetics. Choose properly fitting socks designed for diabetic feet to reduce complications.

I can’t emphasize enough how important prevention is—and the right sock plays a key role.

Thanks for reading! Here's to your best foot forward!

Click here for more tips on preventing diabetic foot problems »

– Dr. Gaffney

Written By : Melissa Gaffney

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