With age comes the realization of safety and security more often. Did you know that socks are of different types and you can wear them for medical purposes? Yes, doctors and nurses suggest and help you wear hospital socks for various treatment reasons.
Hospital socks or anti-slip, anti-skid, and compression socks, and many such useful socks are meant for people in need of extra assistance for their feet. For instance, the older adults who need help to walk or any patient with diabetes or athletes with muscle issues.
These socks have rubberized spots on the bottom of acupressure areas to serve different treatment purposes. So, if you are looking to treat the various health concerns related to pressure points below your feet or to prevent the risks of falling, you are at the right place.
Here are the top picks of the best hospital socks reviewed based on various beneficial factors concerning your health and comfort. So, without making any further ado, let’s get started!
What are Hospital Socks?
Hospital socks, in general, are meant to serve the medicinal treatment purposes of anyone, even the elderly. It is used and loved by hospital patients, nurses, family members, and anyone who encounters the hospital setting.
Everyone can experience the comfort and the protection contributed by these socks. It is upon your choice whether you prefer calling them slipper socks, anti-slip socks, compression socks, pregnancy socks, socks for the elderly, or hospital socks. Either way, they serve several beneficial purposes.
Here are some of the reasons that hospital socks best cater to. Reading through them should give you a better insight into the purpose of hospital socks. And then, perhaps, you could grab a pair or two, as well.
They Comfort the Toes
Often, hospital patients love to be in their comfort zone regardless of being in the hospital. Besides, hospitals are meant to provide the homely feeling to patients to recover sooner while they feel better in such an environment.
As such, they tend to expect comfort and warmth in cold and vulnerable conditions most of the time. Most hospitals have a relatively cold temperature within their premises for various reasons. It serves as a factor cooling down the temperature of the patients.
Additionally, it helps the staff working all day and all night remain cool. Moreover, it tends to many other care settings too. Also, when it gets tremendously cold during winters, or you encounter the prevalence of cold air conditioning during summers, you need to keep your feet warm.
Hospital socks are the solution to keep your feet warm when in a hospital or at home. They avoid overheating your feet or encountering sweat conditions. Additionally, they also offer a sense of security and comfort regardless of where you may be.
Some people get the chills being in a hospital, and it may not be convenient for them amidst all the pain and uncertainty. With cute and comfortable slipper socks, some degree of comfort is extended to them. Also, it is a fun personal item to have.
They are Finely Gripped to Prevent Falls
Besides comfort, hospital socks are meant to provide safety for those who need them. The elderly and their caretakers are in immense need of preventing falls. Falls among the elderly can lead to serious health and life risks.
It can be the reason for a debilitating injury, decreased quality of life, or even the cause of sudden death. That is why, besides comfort, people also wear hospital socks to protect themselves from unanticipated situations.
Nevertheless, house slippers or shoes are off the table when in the hospital. Wearing shoes can be difficult for some as much as it would be to take them off. They can also be risky to wear. Similarly, slip-on house slippers may contribute to the enormous risk of falls and should be avoided.
Hospital socks designed with non-slip grip treads help prevent slips and falls, keep the patients and the wearers safe on their feet. The elderly feel safe and comfortable in these socks and can walk relatively better and more.
They Keep the Feet Clean
Many people do not prefer living in the hospital even if they are supposed to be admitted to get better. The reason is that they believe hospitals to be dirty. While not all hospitals are as hygienic, some are out of the place.
Despite the janitorial staff taking measures to keep the floors clean through regular sanitization and cleaning, the hospital’s base remains filled with germs and bacteria. All sorts of unwanted pathogens can be residents of the hospital floor.
Even if you may walk bare-footed at home, the hospital is not where you can do the same. This applies to everyone regardless of age, whether a kid, teenager, middle-aged person, or the elderly. Shoes and slippers are inappropriate to wear in hospitals as well.
Hospital slipper socks serve all these protective factors in the best possible way. The socks ensure that your feet and nails are well protected from bacteria. Hospital socks are appropriate to wear inside the hospital or for long-term purposes, even outside and at home.
Durability and Quality
Hospital slipper socks are made of high-quality materials featuring the best possible grip treads that ensure a long life. You get to choose from three sizes of hospital socks to fit your feet. These are the reasons people often prefer wearing hospital socks even at home.
If you want to keep your feet warm and cozy, save yourself from falling and associated injuries, you should wear hospital socks.
Who Needs to Wear Hospital Socks?
Anyone can wear hospital socks. A patient who’s an aged person, a person who is an athlete and needs to protect their feet from falling injuries, and more such people can wear hospital socks. Let’s talk about the different conditions where people at best should wear hospital socks to serve different purposes besides their will.
People Recovering from Surgery or are Bedridden
Post-surgery can lead patients to develop blood clots in the leg. Additionally, the chances of blood clotting may increase even when you are on bed rest for a longer period. To prevent such occurrences, doctors often suggest wearing hospital socks or, more specifically, compression socks.
These socks improve the blood flow, reduce swelling of your feet, and prevents the development or worsening of varicose veins.
Pregnant Women
When conditions like the development of varicose veins are encountered or are likely to occur, it is best to wear hospital socks as per the experts. Studies have revealed that wearing such socks stimulates blood flow during pregnancy and prevents the development or reduces the conditions of varicose veins.
People Developing Varicose Veins
The benefits of wearing hospital socks are beyond serving the needs of a pregnant lady with varicose veins. Research shows that many people who have worn hospital socks to treat varicose veins or prevent it have experienced valuable results. They’ve had fewer swelling cases and better blood flow.
Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
When people develop a blood clot in their veins in the leg or pelvis, they encounter deep vein thrombosis (DVT). They can be quite painful and risky, leading to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism when the clot reaches the lungs.
Wearing hospital socks can help prevent DVT and relieve pain and prevent the complications from getting intense if you already have it. Longer periods of traveling through air or in a car induce the chances of developing DVT.
Anyone with Post-Thrombotic Syndrome
A complicated condition that is the symptom of DVT is a post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). This causes discomfort and pain around the arms and legs once you’ve experienced DVT. Hospital socks or compression socks help you through the pain and resume some daily chores.
People Encountering Leg Swelling
Edema or leg swelling is the result of various medical conditions. For instance, heart failure, pregnancy, or kidney diseases causes the retainment of fluids. This may lead to leg swelling. Although serious conditions like kidney disease would require more treatment, wearing compression socks is still a start and is helpful in many ways.
Athletes
More and more athletes use hospital socks for their extensive features of comfort and safety. Athletes believe that these socks improve their athletic performance and also prevent injuries while running.
Although more research is to be done on the impact of hospital socks on athletes, there is no harm in wearing them. Therefore, the practice continues.
Top Picks of the Best Hospital Socks
- Pembrook Non-Skid Socks: Best Overall: Whether it is an older adult wearing these socks for safety purposes or a person with health issues needing compression, Pembrook serves them all.
- Debra Weitzner Diabetic Socks With Non-Slip Grip: Best for Diabetic Patients: These socks are specially made for people with diabetes. However, they are also well-suited for patients with leg swelling, edema, etc.
- RATIVE Anti-Slip Hospital Socks: Best Anti-Slip : If you are looking for a pair of socks to prevent falls and slips while walking on floors, RATIVE is an ideal choice.
- DubeeBaby Women’s Yoga Socks: Best for Women: Although socks are a unisex commodity, some factors such as the arch of the feet or pregnancy-related conditions of the feel may require specially-made socks for women.
- Silvert’s Senior Care Non-Skid Hospital Socks: Best for the Elderly: Older people are often on the verge of falling or slipping on slick floors due to weak muscles and other such factors.
Best Hospital Socks in 2021: Reviews
You now understand that hospital socks serve many medical purposes. You would choose a pair according to your requirements and other factors. It can be challenging to choose among a wide variety of options. So, here are the reviews of the top five picks of the best hospital socks.
Pembrook Non-Skid or Non-Slip Socks
Pembrook is the most popular brand for making quality hospital socks. The Pembrook Non-Skid socks are meant to offer extended comfort and are incredibly soft to wear. Made of a chenille blend that consists of cotton, polyester, and spandex materials, these soft socks keep your feet warm and safe at the health care facility.
Additionally, the gripping rubber treads beneath the socks protect you by preventing falls and slips on slick floors. They are also available in numerous colors. These socks provide gentle compression and are easy to wear and take off as well.
Even after washing these socks several times, they remain soft for a long time. Also, these socks appear to be inexpensive, given their amazing material quality.
Key Features
- Made of a chenille blend of cotton, spandex, and polyester materials
- Meant for healthcare facilities but can be worn at home too
- Adult male shoe size up to 11 and women shoe size up to 9 can wear these socks
- Unisex design, multiple colors, and sizes
- The bottom has anti-skid grips matching the sock color
Pros
- The socks are highly versatile and can be worn by anyone anywhere
- Stretchy material allows them to be easily worn or taken off
- Anti-grip treads on the bottom protect the users from falling or slipping on floors
Cons
- Limited variety
- It might be pricey for some
Debra Weitzner Diabetic Socks with Non-Slip Grip
The Debra Weitzner Diabetic Socks with non-slip grip are specially designed for patients with diabetes. However, it can still be worn by people with other ailments such as swollen feet or ankles, neuropathy, edema, etc.
The unique design is great for blood circulation. Additionally, the 90% cotton fabric along with polyester and elastane helps enhances the breathability of the socks. The additional treads beneath the socks provide extra peace of mind while walking on surfaces.
These socks are available in three-pack with neutral black, white, or grey. All these color varieties are available in crew and ankle length. Also, the soft fit of the socks and the cushioned sole protects your feet from moisture, bacteria and is odorless.
Key Features
- Chic quality and comfortable fit
- Features non-slip grips beneath the socks
- Wide width with extra breathability
- Moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial, and odorless cushioned sole
Pros
- Multiple sizes
- Supports swollen feet, legs, or ankles
- Good at keeping your feet dry all day long
Cons
- The quick-dry feature may not act conveniently for all
RATIVE Anti-Slip Hospital Socks
Rative’s non-skid socks are made of spandex and terylene materials that are known to dry off quickly. They offer superior ventilation and provide extra protection. Although they are not the best at offering warmth, they still have many advantages to cater to.
Additionally, they offer extra arch support. The non-skid grip allows the patients to balance on slick floors at the hospital or at home. Each sock has a few grips on the bottom. Also, the flexible fabric is very less tight.
The socks are wearable at night as they won’t come off easily despite the soft tightness around the ankles. This is a key consideration when you need to wear your socks overnight.
Key Features
- Comfortable and secure fit with added arch support
- Made of 97% terylene and 3% spandex materials
- The material dries off pretty quickly due to excellent ventilation
- Available in sizes between Medium and XXL.
Pros
- Non-skid grips help maintain greater stability
- The material is breathable
- Knitted fabric offers excellent durability
Cons
- Limited color options
DubeeBaby Women’s Yoga Socks
While others may be available in different colors, the DubeeBaby Women’s Yoga Socks are available in more playful colors. Name any color between purple, pink, coral, or more, and you may have the desired color of hospital or yoga socks by DubeeBaby.
Additionally, they are also available in many other neutral colors besides the bright ones. These hospital socks or yoga socks are made with a non-skid ergonomic grip on their base. They are breathable and made of eco-friendly cotton material.
The socks feature a highly elastic microfiber silicone grip as well. You can wear them on extra slick floors and still be safer wearing those socks with additional arch support. They are particularly built for women, given the curves and arch of their feet.
Key Features
- Anti-slip design
- Rubber gripped for anti-skid purposes
- Protects against foot fungus
- Soft and eco-friendly cotton material gives a barefoot feeling
- Sweat and shock absorbent
Pros
- The base features a non-slip grip
- Breathable cotton fabric
- The low cut feature allows you to wear them with shoes
Cons
- Not particularly warm
Silvert’s Senior Care Non-Skid Hospital Socks
Soft and fuzzy as they are, Silvert’s Senior Care Non-Skid Hospital Socks are specially designed for the elderly. These socks are made with chenille material which has excellent durability. They are good at keeping your feet warm.
Additionally, their skid-resistant rubber treads protect you and prevent the elderly from falling from the slippery floor or even otherwise. This is why they are the perfect safety socks for the elderly that keep them warm and comfortable.
They are available in regular and XL bariatric sizes. However, they may be relatively expensive for some to buy.
Key Features
- Made of ultra-soft chenille material
- Features rubber treads that make them skid resistance
- Lasts for a long time and is excellently durable
- Available in Regular and XL Bariatric sizes
- Seamless and irritation-free
- Comes with a money-back guarantee
Pros
- Easily slipped on and off
- Keeps the feet warm and feels soft
- Provides extra safety with rubber grips beneath them
Cons
- It might be too warm for some users
- Limited sizes
Hospital Socks Buyer’s Guide
Hospital socks are best for serving the purposes of managing fall risks. However, they vary in different factors, such as quality, variety, measurements, and features. Consider the following factors before purchasing a pair from the market.
Material
The material of the hospital socks you would wear depends upon personal preference. So, you have your personal needs and requirements. Elastic materials such as terylene and spandex offer a tight fit with proper ventilation.
On the contrary, chenille ad cotton materials are relatively warmer and potentially more comfortable. These are best for longer hospital stays. However, they are comparatively less breathable.
Bear in mind that any material can irritate sensitive skin for specific individuals. However, most allergy contact dermatitis comes from fabric additives. Therefore, ensure to wash your socks before wearing them for the first time, regardless of their material.
Measurements
It is important to consider the patient’s condition before making the purchase. Gather the details like their condition and their feet sizes. Bariatric and diabetic patients might require larger socks that are comfortable and breathable.
Non-bariatric patients may require you to check the sizing chart. There is no particular sizing standard, and so the sizes may differ from brand to brand. Also, several products come with a money-back guarantee. That way, you’re more on the profit side.
Non-Skid Grips
Hospital socks are mostly made of grips to prevent accidental slips and falls. Ensure that the pair you choose is properly gripped on the bottom. Lower quality socks may wear off the grips to soon. In such a case, you should replace the socks as soon as possible.
Bear in mind that non-slip socks are not meant for substituting high-quality footwear. Although non-slip socks are greatly helpful, caregivers should be precautious even when patients are wearing them.
Variety
Different brands offer different varieties of basic, neutral, and bright colors of hospital socks. Some are also available in patterns. Some brands even offer various designs, while others may take up the same design but different colors.
Depending on your needs and requirements, you can choose the design and color of the socks that you purchase.
Durability
Hospital socks are not only worn at the hospital but can also be worn at home. The reason is that they are soft and utterly comfortable. Additionally, they serve at catering to various health ailments and other purposes.
Whether you want a pair of socks to prevent slips on the floor, keep your feet comfortable and warm while sleeping, or wear for an extended period determines the durability features. Ensure that the socks are durable, washable, and long-lasting, according to your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: Compression socks are hospital socks that people with health ailments wear. These socks provide warmth and grip to the feet and protect the one wearing them. Here is a list of the type of people wearing compression socks.
- People recovering from surgery
- Bedridden patients
- Workers spending most of the time sitting
- Athletes lifting weight or running
- Pregnant women
- Patients suffering from leg swelling
- People traveling long hours on planes
- Patients suffering from DVT or diabetes
- People encountering conditions of viscose veins and spider veins.
Answer: Compression socks are worn for treating various ailments, such as DVT, viscose vein conditions, leg swelling, etc. Wearing compression socks applies pressure to your legs and ankles. They are precisely neat and are made to offer ingenious medical benefits.
These socks reduce the diameter of major veins and stimulate the flow of blood. They squeeze the blood through the veins and encourage its flow towards the heart. They also prevent the blood from flowing in the wrong direction. In other words, they stop the blood from flowing down the foot to superficial veins.
Answer: Hospital socks work best only when they are the correct fit. While you may have to refer to the size chart for most of the patients, you should know that diabetic and bariatric patients would require larger hospital socks.
Larger socks offer them better breathability. Here is the list of the benefits encountered with proper fitting socks.
Supports blood circulation in legs and throughout the body
Reduces orthostatic hypotension causing lightheadedness when you stand too quickly, sometimes
Helps reduce conditions of leg swelling
Can treat mild to severe vascular conditions
Answer: Grip socks, also a type of hospital socks, have anti-skid or anti-slip treads on the bottom. These treads help the wearer by preventing slips and falls while keeping them safe and secure.
These socks are typically worn for pilates, yoga, barre bar at the hospital, or home. These socks feature an “up the heel” grip to provide the extra support that your feet needs.
Answer: Washing your grip or hospital socks is essential if you want to use them for a longer period. Here are a few basic care tips for hospital socks that can enhance their durability.
Turn your socks inside out before washing them.
Use a gentle cycle to wash the socks.
You can line them dry or use a low heat dryer for that purpose.
Never bleach your socks, nor should you iron them.
Final Thoughts
That’s it.
You now have all the knowledge to get the perfect pair of hospital socks based on the various considerations to make. However, ensure with your hospital if they have any guidelines regarding purchasing hospital socks.
Some hospitals use sock colors to define fall risks and other medical details. A quick query would help avoid confusion. Also, you have a list of the best hospital socks at your end. Select from here or go according to your research.