Did you know your feet contain up to 250,000 sweat glands? Our Arlington VA podiatrist wants you to know that choosing the right socks may make a big difference in your foot care and comfort. You might reach for your favorite pair of Star Wars novelty socks or prefer a certain sock color, but the different types of materials used in socks are also important considerations when selecting your daily wardrobe.
Learn About the Best Fabric for Your Feet with Help from Our Arlington VA Podiatrist
You might be sorely tempted by those "three for $10" sales, but our podiatrist in Arlington warns that inexpensive cotton socks will quickly absorb any moisture from the soles of your feet. While 100% cotton fabric may be a great choice for a bath towel, a cotton sock in a closed shoe stays wet and soggy all day long. By the end of your day, a wet cotton sock may not only be uncomfortable, but may also cause blisters, excessive foot odor, and other foot-related disorders.
Another common sock material you might see listed on the label is synthetic, which could include materials such as nylon, polyester, acrylic or even a blend of several types of synthetics. According to our Arlington podiatrist, these fabrics not only give synthetic socks the ability to stretch and hold their shape longer than cotton socks, but also have "moisture-wicking" properties as well. Moisture-wicking materials in socks act to both pull sweat away from the soles of your feet and dry out much more quickly than cotton socks. Synthetic socks are often described as having more "breathable" properties than cotton, and they may be a better choice to get you through a long workday.
Remember those old-fashioned, itchy wool socks? You have many more choices with different types of wool today! For example, the merino wool often used in today's modern wool socks is a much softer, more absorbent material that removes both excess foot moisture as well as the uncomfortable heat that can build up in your shoes. However, unlike the cheaper cotton or less expensive synthetic sock options, wool socks tend to be the most expensive choice, sometimes even costing you two to three times what you might pay for cotton or synthetic socks.
Want to Know More? Call Our Arlington VA Podiatrist Today!
Whether the cost, comfort, or cooling factors are important considerations for the contents of your sock drawer, our podiatrist in Arlington VA can advise you on how to select the right type of socks for any type of activity you take on throughout your day.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact The Podiatry Center, with a convenient podiatry office near Arlington VA, by clicking here or by calling 301.656.6055.
