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Skin Care

Skin Care

 

Diabetes can affect every part of your body -- including your largest organ, your skin. Fortunately, many skin problems can be prevented or treated easily if caught early.1

So exactly how can high blood sugar levels affect your skin?

 

  • Frequent urination, caused by high blood sugar, removes fluids from your system. Being dehydrated can make your skin dry.2

  • Nerve damage from diabetes can make your body sweat less, particularly in the legs and feet. Your skin relies on sweat to keep it moist -- the loss of sweat can make it dry. Dry skin cracks easily, letting germs enter.3
  • Diabetes can thicken the blood vessels, resulting in poor blood flow. If blood flow is reduced, cuts and sores don't get enough blood, and they heal more slowly.4

•People with diabetes are more prone to infections. Cuts and sores are more easily infected, and may take longer to heal.4

 

Skin Problems

Here are a few of the more common skin conditions you may want to know about.

Itchy skin. Itchy skin may have several causes -- a fungal or yeast infection, dry skin or poor circulation. Itchiness can often be treated by using moisturizing or skin cream.4

Thick skin. People with diabetes sometimes have thickening of the skin with a yellow waxy appearance. This may also lead to stiff fingers. The only known treatment is to improve blood sugar control.4

Diabetic dermopathy. Changes in the small blood vessels can lead to light brown, scaly patches on the body -- often on the front of the legs. They're common and harmless -- you don't need any treatment.4

Infections. Bacterial infections, such as sties on the eyelid or boils, or fungal infections, such as athlete's foot or ringworm, are often associated with diabetes. Good self-care can help reduce your risk of skin infections, but if you think you have one, see your doctor.4

Keeping Skin Healthy

You can keep your skin healthier by following these tips:1,3

Bathing

  • Try a moisturizing soap, but avoid bubble baths.
  • Use warm (not hot) water when you bathe.
  • Bathe less often during cold, dry months.

•Dry your skin well, and use talcum powder to keep areas where skin touches skin dry.

 

Moisturizing

  • Drink at least eight glasses of water each day.

•Apply lotion to your skin after bathing, but don't use it between toes.

 

Avoiding Injury

  • Treat cuts right away. Wash minor breaks with soap and water.
  • Do not use antiseptic, iodine or alcohol, as these can be too harsh.

•Check for injuries every day -- especially on your feet.

 

Call Your Doctor

Talk to your dermatologist or primary care physician if you:4

  • think you have a bacterial or fungal infection
  • have sores that don't heal
  • get a rash

•have any skin problems you can't solve yourself

 

1 American Diabetes Association. "Skin Care." Available at: http://diabetes.org/
type-1-diabetes/well-being/skin-care.jsp. Accessed August 1, 2007.

2 dLife. "Your Skin and Beyond -- Part 1." Available at: http://www.dlife.com/
dLife/do/ShowContent/ inspiration_expert_advice/ expert_columns/ pape_sept2006.html. Accessed August 2, 2007.

3 National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. "Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your feet and skin healthy. " Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/
dm/pubs/complications_feet/index.htm. Accessed August 2, 2007.

4 American Diabetes Association. "Skin Complications." Available at: http://diabetes.org/ for-parents-and-kids/what-is-diabetes/skin-complications.jsp.
Accessed August 1, 2007.