Updated June 08, 2015.

Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, there are a host of medical supplies that can help you manage your disease, as well as the peripheral discomforts Diabetes may cause.

Over-The-Calf Support Socks

Diabetics often suffer from peripheral nerve sensitivity. Support socks, often treated with an antibacterial and antifungal finish, provide just enough compression around the ankle and calf so that the socks do not slide and bunch up.

If a sock were to do this, a person with diabetes may not notice due to the lack of sensation. Meanwhile the bunching of the sock could be causing pressure points against the skin that can lead to an ulcer, commonly called a "diabetic foot ulcer".

Sharps Disposal Container

Once a syringe (of insulin, for example) is self-injected into the skin by a diabetic at home, the needle needs to be properly and safely disposed. Sharps containers are small boxes that accept the needle safely and prevent anyone from being stuck again by the sharp point.

There are mail-away sharps containers for the home. The kit, when purchased, includes the cost of return postage and return-mail packaging. Once the sharps container is full, the diabetic places the sharps container in the return mail package that is approved for shipping. The sharps kit company disposes of the needles and generates a report showing proof of destruction.

Insulin Syringes

Insulin syringes allow someone to measure the proper amount of insulin and then inject it into themselves.

Precise measurement is important, so look for syringes that feature graduations that cannot be erased or altered in any way. Each syringe should be packed in its own individualized package for safety. You should be able to open the package without touching the needle and contaminating it with germs.

Alcohol Prep Pads

Use these pads to wipe the area clean before you inject an insulin syringe.

Diabetic Test Strips

Designed to be used with glucose meters to draw blood from the finger, palm, or forearm. The test strips test the blood for glucose (sugar) levels in the blood to determine if the patient's blood glucose levels are within safe parameters.

Hydrogel

Hydrogel helps maintain proper levels of moisture around a skin wound. Proper moisture enables quicker healing. Look for one with antimicrobial properties, like controlled-release silver ions. This type of gel would most commonly be used if one develops a diabetic foot ulcer.

Nutritional Supplements

There are a variety of food supplements, or meal-replacements, often in the form of a drink, that help patients control their glucose levels, while also increasing other necessary nutrient intake such as fiber.

Mini-Fridges

I'm not talking about the short refrigerators often found in college dorm rooms or the executive's private office. There are now table-top sized mini-fridges that weigh less than two pounds. They are meant to be portable to keep vials and injectable pens that need to be refrigerated at the proper temperature. People use them for private storage of their medication at their workplace, because they don't want to store their medications in a shared refrigerator. The mini-fridge is also useful when travelling through airports, taxis, and hotels.

Lancets

Lancets are used for drawing blood samples safely. They keep the needle hidden before use. An additional safety feature is the needle retracts and lock out after it's used. Many lancet styles today are made with an ergonomically designed handle for patient comfort.

Glucometer

A glucometer measures the glucose level in your blood when you insert a diabetic test strip (see above) with a small sample of blood on it. This is also a simple tool to use at home. Most models today can produce an accurate reading in under 10 seconds, some as quickly as 5 seconds. They are portable; many models can fit in a pocket or purse.