I have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, probably as a result of my celiac disease. My pain in my feet and ankles has recently gotten worse so that wearing socks is very uncomfortable. I am hoping that this is a temporary setback like some I've had in the past where the symptoms get better over time with rest. I'm hoping that I can get back into wearing socks. Other than rest, would my best approach be to: (1) immediately begin increasing my time wearing socks a little each day to build up my time wearing them or (2) treat this more like a sprained ankle and not wear socks AT ALL until the pain in my feet and ankles has improved?

Approach 1 would be based on the assumption that the longer I go without wearing socks, the more likely it will be that my nerves will become iritated when I put them back on. Approach 2 would be based on the assumption that putting socks on during this setback would just irritate the nerves more than they are already irritated and prolong the setback.