Diabetic Socks vs Compression Socks - What Are The Differences and Benefits

It can be really hard to find the right medical accessories to treat your health conditions. With a quick google search, you’ll often find a million sources telling you one thing, and a million others telling you something different. Sometimes there is just too much information and it’s impossible to narrow down what is important and relevant to you.

That’s what often happens when it comes to diabetic socks vs compression socks. Are diabetic socks the same as compression socks? What are diabetic socks for? What do diabetic socks do? Who should use compression socks? What are compression socks for and what are their benefits? Are compression socks good for diabetics? These are just a few of the questions we get asked every single day!

To make things simple, we’ve broken down the differences between these two socks, and created a guide for you to easily determine if you should wear compression socks, or if you should wear diabetic socks. Keep reading to learn all about diabetic and compression socks!

First thing’s first - what are compression socks for? Compression socks work to stimulate circulation in your legs and feet by helping push fluids and blood out of your legs and back up to the heart. They create a gradient of pressure by having a snug fit around the ankle, with the tightness gradually reducing towards the top of the sock. 

Dr. Segal’s sock technology incorporates special design and technological features to ensure that the compression socks provide you with the ultimate support, comfort and performance! Click here to learn more about Dr. Segal’s sock technology.

Everyone can benefit from wearing compression socks! Most of us sit or stand for extended periods of time throughout the day. Studies have shown that blood flow in the lower legs can decrease up to 50% after just 60 minutes of immobility. This results in increased pressure in the veins of the lower legs. 

Wearing compression socks can combat this increase in pressure on the surface of the skin which can result in varicose and spider veins. Wearing compression socks also helps alleviate the swelling and achiness experienced in the legs and feet. These are the best compression socks for sitting all day and they work wonders as socks for swelling feet.

Dr. Segal’s offers two types of compression: 15-20 mmHg (mild compression) and 20-30 mmHg (moderate compression).

The 15-20 mmHg compression socks are perfect for travellers, people during pregnancy, and anyone who sits or stands all day. These mild compression socks provide fast relief for anyone experiencing tired, achy legs or mild swelling.

The 20-30 mmHg compression socks are for those who need a little more compression to deal with moderate swelling, chronic venous insufficiency, post sclerotherapy treatment or the management of healed venous ulcers.

*Please speak with your physician to see which level of compression is right for you.

Compression socks can help treat conditions such as varicose and spider veins, edema, deep vein thrombosis, and achiness and swelling that comes with pregnancy.

They’re also great to use when travelling to combat any leg swelling and discomfort, and for sports recovery where they increase circulation and can help prevent injuries. 

*Always speak with your physician first about any health conditions and best treatment practices.

Dr. Segal’s diabetic socks are a premium cotton blend and have a non-binding top band for a comfortable fit that promotes circulation, a seamless toe to prevent rubbing and blisters, and are moisture wicking to keep feet dry and to prevent skin infection. They also have a cushioned footbed to provide extra padding to prevent injury, and are antimicrobial to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. While diabetic compression socks don't exist in our range, these are by far some of the best socks for diabetics.

Diabetic socks for women and men are great for anyone seeking:

• Diabetic Socks - For those requiring special foot care
• Neuropathy Socks - For anyone with diminished sensation and foot sensitivities 
• Extra Wide Socks - For anyone with wide ankles or calves
• Edema Socks - For anyone with foot or ankle swelling that want a non-constricting top band
• Everyday Socks - For anyone wanting premium cotton socks that are extra comfortable

It is important to recognize that diabetes may cause many complications that affect a patient’s circulatory, nervous and immune systems that make them more prone to foot injuries and infections. Click here to learn more about diabetes and foot care.

The best diabetic socks for women and men are specially designed to decrease the risk of foot injury, offer maximum blood flow and comfort, as well as prevent infection, bacterial growth and fungal growth.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions, choose the compression or diabetic socks that are right for you!