The three health risks caused by sleeping wearing socks

Some people may find they can get a better night’s sleep when wearing a pair of socks to bed, but do the health risks outweigh the benefits?

Pharmacist Abbas Kanani at Chemist Click cited research which found bed socks utilised in a cool environment can have a positive effect on sleep quality.

The research showed that wearing socks to bed shortened sleep onset, lengthened sleep time, and lessened awakenings during the night.

"Women going through menopause may fall asleep easier while wearing socks," Kanani added.

He explained: "Wearing socks overnight helps to decrease core body temperature and prevent hot flushes."

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Kanani said: "Gender differences also impact the optimal temperature for sleep.

"Women have a lower resting metabolic rate than men, which impacts their sensitivity towards chillier sleep environments.

"Men, on the other hand, are more likely to be resistant to warmer bedroom temperatures."

There can be problems with wearing socks to bed; Kanani cautioned about tight-fitting socks, which "might constrict circulation".

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Kanani added: "Avoid wearing compression socks at night unless prescribed by your doctor.

"They move blood flow away from your feet and may block blood flow when you’re lying down."

Kanani also warned people who wear socks to bed could overheat, especially if the socks you have on aren't "breathable" material.

"If your socks aren't breathable, any heat that is expelled through vasodilation will have nowhere to go and cause you to overheat," Kanani explained.

Most shockingly, Kanani stated: "If a person's feet get too warm and sweat, this can also increase the chances of fungal nail infection."

A fungal nail infection

The NHS says a fungal nail infection typically starts at the edge of a toenail and then spreads.

A fungal nail infection can make the nail discoloured, thick and brittle.

"This can cause pain and swelling in the skin around the nail," the health body adds.

"Speak to a pharmacist if the look of your nail bothers you or it's painful."