- Diabetics experience more skin problems than people without diabetes for several reasons. One reason is that when the blood glucose is high, the body pulls water from the skin to create urine, in an effort to lower the glucose level. The skin becomes dry, which can lead to cracking, peeling or itching. Germs can enter the dry, damaged skin easily. Additionally, blood glucose is an excellent host environment for bacteria or fungi, and can lower the body's healing ability.
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A person with diabetes may experience common skin problems, including bacterial infections such as a staphylococcus, or fungal infections such as athlete's foot. Although a person with diabetes may develop one of these conditions more often than the general population, the problems are usually easily treated with medical care. Arthrosclerosis is thickening of the arteries, which can cause the skin to become thin, shiny, hairless and cool to the touch.
A number of skin problems affect only people with diabetes. Because of the amount of medicine some diabetics must take, they should be aware of possible allergic reactions to medications, especially at injection sites. Diabetic dermopathy and necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) are mild skin conditions caused by changes in the small blood vessels in the legs. Both cause small brown or red scaly patches that are not painful and do not usually require treatment, unless one of the sores opens. A rash of O-shaped or C-shaped reddish raised areas may be disseminated granuloma annulare, which can be treated with prescription medication.
People with diabetes may develop diabetic blisters and eruptive xanthomatosis. Diabetic blisters look like burn blisters, but are neither red nor painful. The hard, round, yellow bumps of eruptive xanthomatosis are ringed in red and itch. The only treatment for either skin problem is to get blood glucose levels under control. - Although many of these skin problems may affect any part of the body, people with diabetes need to be especially cautious regarding their foot health. Human feet tend to be dry or cracked in some areas, and moist in others. People without diabetes are generally able to tolerate blisters, fungal infections, ingrown toenails or other common foot ailments, but these skin problems can be serious and hard to treat in a person with diabetes. See a doctor for any foot problem, as well as for any skin problem that worsens or is not responding to treatment.
- The best way to avoid skin problems is to keep blood sugar levels under control. Additionally, skin should be kept clean and dry. People with diabetes should avoid hot baths and strong soaps, and should only use moisturizer on skin that can air dry, not between toes or in skin folds. Minor cuts should be tended immediately with warm soap and water, and bandaged with sterile gauze. Major cuts, infections or burns require immediate medical attention. Clothes and shoes, in particular, should fit well and be comfortable.
- Diabetic neuropathy occurs when uncontrolled or prolonged diabetes causes nerve damage, especially in the legs or feet. People with diabetic neuropathy may be unable to feel heat, cold or pain, and they may not be aware of injuries or skin problems. In these cases, skin problems can go unnoticed for long periods of time, worsening and spreading. Infections can become so severe that an amputation of the limb is required. However, the Cleveland Clinic states that "more than half of these amputations can be prevented" with good skincare practices.
