Compression socks or diabetic socks? If you have diabetes or one of your loved ones is, you may be asking this question. “Surely these two only have slight differences, right?” Well, there is more to what meets the eye.
Although the primary function of both compression socks and diabetic socks is to help with blood circulation, the features of these two socks will have a significant effect on the wearer — especially if that individual has diabetes.
1. Medical Socks and Diabetes
Living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is quite challenging, especially when you have already developed nerve sensitivity or peripheral neuropathy. It’s painful and numb at the same time. There are sleepless nights due to several kinds of pain that occur in your feet and legs.
Several things need consideration when an individual has diabetes, which can be detrimental if not careful.
So having the proper medical socks will benefit a person with diabetes since it encourages blood circulation and helps with pain management. However, a person with diabetes cannot wear just any medical socks such as compression socks, and it has to be particularly diabetic compression stockings or socks.
Are Diabetic Socks the Same as Compression Socks?
As mentioned earlier, both compression socks and diabetic socks provide the same function. The critical question now that must be addressed is, “What’s the difference between the two?”
2. Battle of the Socks: Compression Socks vs. Diabetic Socks
Although both socks apply pressure, it varies in many ways, such as their materials, structure, and purpose.
Compression socks features
Pressure level
- TED hose: 8 to 15 mmHg
- Over the counter: 15 to 20 mmHg
- Medical Grade Class 1: 20 to 30 mmHg
- Medical Grade Class 2: 30 to 40 mmHg
- Medical Grade Class 3: 40 to 50 mmHg.
Types
- Nonmedical hosiery
- Graduated stockings
- Anti-embolism stockings
There are corresponding uses for each type and pressure level of compression socks. It’s either for:
Diabetic socks features:
Meanwhile, diabetic socks and diabetic compression stockings are designed to protect the feet of people with diabetes. So this is where it differs from compression socks.
So with all these factors, diabetic socks provide these benefits
What’s the difference between compression socks and diabetic socks? It is the protection that diabetic socks are designed with since a person with diabetes has to keep the legs and feet protected from any form of injury.
Choose your compression socks well to avoid health risks. Check every detail, and if you have a doctor, it would be best to check with him about the specifications of compression socks or diabetic socks.
Unisex
8-15 mmHg