Socks - What helps with Neuropathy?

Me again! I do have a pair of gel socks (not the dry feet kind) these are from Natracure, you can also get them on amazon same company, they have gel ice pack inserts, one around the ankle and one on the bottom of the foot. They actually work really well. You need to buy your correct size so they aren’t too big because they kind of just slide around your feet and ankles with a soft sock and you can wear them for 20 minutes with your feet elevated (you can’t walk around in them) They work when my neuropathy is really bad throughout the day. I also use large size gel ice packs in my bed at night so I can sleep. Just a thought to give them a try for swelling as well as neuropathy!

I use Soaks that used for playing Sports

I use toe socks for daytime and footies to sleep in after I put on the Susan’s CBD Super Salve. Really works.

I recently found out what doesn’t work - compression socks. Last time I traveled, I bought some fun, overpriced tennis shoes, and on a whim bought cute compression ankle socks. They were nylon, expensive, and had compression fibers throughout. Well, the longer I wore them, the more my feet burned. On my layover, I was frantically searching all the airport gift shops, looking for cotton socks! I ended up going sock-less the rest of the flight. Out of curiosity, I tried them again at home. Within minutes, all that friction and squeezing had every nerve in my feet burning! New lesson learned.

I agree with you: compression socks are NOT friendly to neuropathic feet/legs!
I can't wear ankle socks either, nor those cute little socks that barely cover your feet.
Our daughter gifted us Bombas socks for Christmas. Could not wear them at all, having to literally rip them off almost as soon as I got them on. Nerves flashed and throbbed. I look for socks that are what I call loosey-goosey, that is, soft, not tight fibers, all cotton, and go up beyond the ankles about 3 to 4 inches. No binding, no elastic. A bit loose around the foot also, no "squeezing." Columbia carries a very comfortable sock like that, but I've not been able to locate them other than in TJMax (and they don't stock them, just when they can). Toe area of socks has to be loose also, no squeezing or it will set off the neuromas under the middle toes and one hammertoe. I pull on the stocks but allow a teeny bit of room in toe area, not wanting any encroaching on the toe bed. Same with shoes: I buy a half size larger rather than having foot then touch the front of shoe and ignite toe pain. Doggone lots of aspects to consider!

Well, just one more indicator that we are all different. Some people post about finding compression socks increase the burning and pain, while others say they help. I purchased some crew style compression socks for my neuropathy and they help me a great deal. I only wear them during the day. For me they help calm the burning and pain. I did make a point of looking for socks that have the least compression. The compression stockings I wear when I fly have 20 to 30 mmHg of compression, but those are too tight to wear all the time. I got these on Amazon and they make my feet feel much better: CHARMKING 6 Pairs Crew Compression Socks for Women & Men Circulation 15-20 mmHg is Best for All Day Wear
Price: $18.99

You are fortunate to have had compression socks work out well for you.
I had collapsed vein valves in both legs and tried even the compression socks that allowed toes to be exposed, but those also were not tolerable (created pain on the top of feet). Besides the pain from the vein issues, the nerve and fibromyalgia pains joined forces and created a nasty hell, so I did without. This summer I finally agreed to having procedure to have the valve issues in the right leg done, with the plan of having the left leg done at a later date. The procedure was successful but has left me with more areas of pain than I had before, including in the incision site where the tube was inserted into the vein up and into the inner thigh. Vascular cardiologist was taken aback with what I reported to him: Hot nerve pain throughout the leg, level 8 pain in the inner thigh with skin turned a definite bright pink (and I'm a Latina woman with medium olive skin), very warm sensation throughout the thigh and bruising. Also intense itching under the wrapping that ran from knee down to ankle that he attributed to my possibly having sensitivity to the disinfecting wash used on entire leg.
Bottom line: It did appear that the procedure exacerbated my nerve pain issues, along with the fibromyalgia response. That was 3 months ago, and although all of that has toned down, touching the incision site ignites nerve pain. I informed my doctor that there is no way in Hades that my left leg will be ablated. The left one has nerve damage and other issues so no thank you, I'll live with the collapsed valves.
I was supposed to have worn a compression stocking on the ablated leg after the ablation but that was not going to happen either, and didn't.

My point: I agree that we are all different. We also each face other factors that unfortunately enter the picture that then negates the possible value of compression socks/stockings. I'm happy for those that benefit from them. 😊

Something I learned: My insurance covers the stockings with a doctors prescription, and provides contact info for in-network providers/suppliers. I urge all My Connect members to check this out with their insurance companies.

I love the Columbia socks, so much!

@delia74 and @julbpat
I have neuropathy in both feet with severe numbness.
I was told to wear compression socks and I had same issues as you. My partial solution was cutting the toes off the compression socks. Amazon and others carry compression socks without toes. Hope this helps someone.

I have found that compression socks exacerbates the numbness. My solution is toe socks. Each toe has its place with no pressure. I now only wear them. They are wonderful.
The best I've found are: Injinji.
They are available online.