When it comes to protecting your feet, a lot of the attention gets put on what types of shoes you choose to wear, and rightfully so. Shoes that are too tight can lead to problems like bunions, hammertoes and ingrown toenails, and shoes that are too large can be tripping hazards. But shoes are just part of the equation in terms of keeping your feet healthy, because you also need to be smart about the socks you choose.
In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how you can choose the right socks for your feet.
Picking The Right Socks
Choosing the right pair of socks for your feet is similar to the story of the three little bears, where Goldilocks tried three of everything in order to find the perfect fit. Hopefully you won’t need to try on three pairs of socks to find the perfect pair, but the point is that you don’t want socks that are too big or too little, and we’ll explain why below.
Too Big – If your socks are too big, extra material can get bunched up underneath your toes or on the underside of your foot. When this happens, it’s easy for the sock material to rub against your foot, creating friction. If you don’t swap out your socks soon, this friction can lead to blisters and foot sores.
Too Tight – Socks that are too tight can actually impede healthy blood flow to the foot, and since your feet are already the furthest part of your body from your heart, they don’t need any other factors working against them in their quest to get healthy oxygenated blood. Overly tight socks can also cause your feet to sweat, and this can lead to wetness, shearing and friction on the foot, also causing blisters or making a great environment for Athlete’s Foot.
Too Many Holes – Even if they are your favorite pair of socks, it’s time to throw them out if they get holes in them. The sock isn’t doing its job if it’s full of holes, and those openings can also lead to blisters and sores.
So what should you look for in a sock? For starters, you want one that fits comfortably that is not too loose or too tight. Your foot should still be able to breath in the sock, and you’ll want to reevaluate your socks and shoes if your socks are sweaty when you pull them out of your shoe.
If you have diabetes or want to ensure that your feet can get healthy circulation, consider investing in compression socks. These types of socks are a little snug around your lower calf and ankle, and this compression helps to open up blood vessels and increase blood flow to your feet. Compression socks are great for people of all ages who want to help increase blood flow to their feet.
It’s not all that hard to find the right pair of socks, but at the same time, don’t just throw on any old pair, because they could cause problems with your feet. Find a comfortable pair without holes, and your feet will be protected from blisters, sores and other foot problems.
For more information, or for help with your foot issue, reach out to Dr. Silverman’s office today at (952) 224-8500.
