Diabetic footwear | Socks– FAQs
What kind of shoes we should use?
Shoes must always fit comfortably and have adequate width and depth for the toes.
How does a shoe or diabetic footwear can lead to infections/amputations?
Since diabetic patients feet swells in evening with neuropathy, A shoe that fits well in the morning may be too tight by later part of day when feet swells and since perception of pain is lost in diabetic neuropathy patient continues to wear tight shoes for prolonged periods without discomfort result would cause blisters/infection at most compressed region by tight shoes
Patients using sandals with loss of pain perception wears sandals with straps too tight for getting to know they are wearing Diabetic footwear, again sometimes lands up with compression for prolonged periods leading to blisters/infections.
What precautions to be taken to avoid chapel bite injuries because of new shoes or diabetic footwear?
New shoes should be worn for only a few hours at a time, and you should take care to inspect your feet for any points of irritation Start using new diabetic footwear gradually and use thick cotton socks to avoid chapel bite injuries.
What to look for in diabetic footwear before wearing?
Most of foot problems that leads to infections can be preventable with diabetic footwear fitting correctly and comfortably, check diabetic footwear before wearing to look out for any irregularities or things like pebbles, nails etc, inside diabetic footwear to avoid skin irritation and blister formation, diabetic shoes should be brought at the end of the day when the feels swells to maximum size and see that toe box is roomy.
What to do when we cannot find readymade diabetic footwear with above specifications?
If diabetic patients could not get shoes with specifications above, it is better to go for customized shoes from instructions from foot doctor.
What kind of socks to be used? How it protects in diabetic patients?
Use cotton White or light-colored socks because any discharge from a wound due to trivial trauma on the foot will be noticed quickly and treated early before getting infected,
Socks should be well fitted without seams or folds. They should not be so tight as to interfere with circulation. Well-padded socks can be very protective if there is an abundance of room in your shoes.
What should be done where diabetic footwear is not allowed inside temples or spiritual places?
In India diabetic patients walk barefoot in temples sometimes during hot summertime they continue to walk without discomfort even in hot ground level because of loss of pain perception they may develop blisters on the evening of visiting temple, as far as possible should avoid barefoot walking, if at all compulsory should use double thick cotton socks as layers of protection at least.
