The Importance of Wearing Socks

Though they are sometimes used as a fashion statement or to simply keep your feet warm, the truth is that wearing socks is actually an important part of keeping your feet healthy.

Along with the palms of your hands and your armpits, your feet one of three areas of your body that contain the largest sweat glands. Keeping your feet free of perspiration and bacteria is one of the keys to avoiding a variety of foot problems including blisters, athlete's foot and a whole host of others.

Though our instincts might suggest that our feet will remain cooler if we do not wear socks, the opposite is actually true. Shoes are not often made with the same sorts of fibers that socks are. When our feet are exposed directly to the inside of our shoes (and too the non-absorbent and potentially irritating materials they are sometimes constructed of), this creates the potential for our feet to become hotter, sweat more and develop moisture-related problems. Additionally, it is virtually impossible to ensure that the inside of your shoes remain clean and far easier to make sure that you are always wearing a clean pair of socks.

If you find that your socks are actually causing your feet to sweat more, you are likely wearing the wrong kinds of socks. There are a variety of high-tech fibers used in socks today, many of which actually help wick away moisture such as olfefin or acrylic fibers.

For those involved in athletics or who spend a great deal of time on their feet, your choice in socks can be a critical factor in avoiding foot problems in increasing comfort and performance.

Socks are now available for both warm and cool weather wear, athletic endeavors (such as running socks or cycling socks) and even to provide extra support for those that suffer from muscle fatigue or pain in their calfs and ankles.

Speak to your podiatrist regarding any foot problems you might be having and ask him or her for recommendations on which socks might best suit your needs.

Choose whichever kind of sock works best for you, but just remember to always wear them!