Importance of Skin Care for Diabetes
Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) can lead to health problems over time, including skin problems. People with diabetes have a higher risk for many types of skin complications. This is because having poorly controlled blood sugar (glucose) levels can:
- Damage nerves and blood vessels. This can result in decreased feeling in your legs and feet, which means you may not notice minor skin injuries that could lead to serious problems.
- Reduce blood flow (circulation), which makes wounds heal more slowly and increases your risk of infection.
- Cause areas of skin to become thick or discolored.
What are some common skin conditions that affect people with diabetes?
Diabetes often causes dry skin. It can also cause the skin on the feet to get thinner, break more easily, and heal more slowly. There are certain skin conditions that commonly affect people who have diabetes, such as:
- Bacterial skin infections, such as styes, boils, infected hair follicles, and infections of the skin around the nails.
- Fungal skin infections. These are most common in areas where skin rubs together, such as in the armpits or under the breasts.
- Open sores, especially on the feet.
- Tissue death (gangrene). This can happen on your feet if a serious infection does not heal properly. Gangrene can cause the need for a foot or leg to be surgically removed (amputated).
Diabetes can also cause the skin to change. You may develop:
- Dark, velvety markings on the skin that usually appear on the face, neck, armpits, inner thighs, and groin (acanthosis nigricans). This typically affects people of African-American and American-Indian descent.
- Red, raised, scar-like tissue that may itch, feel painful, or develop into a wound (necrobiosis lipoidica).
- Blisters on feet, toes, hands, or fingers.
- Thickened, wax-like areas of skin that usually occur on the hands, forehead, or toes (digital sclerosis).
- Brown or red ring-shaped or half-ring-shaped patches of skin on the ears or fingers (disseminated granuloma).
- Pea-shaped yellow bumps that may be itchy and surrounded by a red ring (eruptive xanthomatosis). This usually affects the arms, feet, buttocks, and the top of the hands.
- Round, discolored patches of tan skin that do not hurt or itch (diabetic dermopathy). These may look like age spots.
What do I need to know about itchy skin?
It is common for people with diabetes to have itchy skin caused by dryness. Frequent high blood glucose levels can cause itchiness, and poor circulation and certain skin infections can make dry, itchy skin worse. If you have itchy skin that is red or covered in a rash, this could be a sign of an allergic reaction to a medicine.
If you have a rash or if your skin is very itchy, contact your health care provider. You may need help to manage your diabetes better, or you may need treatment for an infection.
How can I prevent skin breakdown?
When you have diabetes and you get a badly infected ulcer or sore that does not heal, your skin can break down, especially if you have poor circulation or are on bed rest. To prevent skin breakdown:
- Keep your skin clean and dry. Wash your skin often. Do notuse hot water.
- Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Smoking affects the body’s ability to heal. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Check your skin every day for cuts, bruises, redness, blisters, or sores, especially on your feet. Tell your health care provider about any cuts, wounds, or sores you have, especially if they are healing slowly.
- If you are on bed rest, try to change positions often.
What else do I need to know about taking care of my skin?
- To
relieve dry skin and itching:
- Limit baths and showers to 5–10 minutes.
- Bathe with lukewarm water instead of hot water.
- Use mild soap and gentle skin cleansers. Do notuse soap that is perfumed or harsh or dries your skin.
- Put on lotion as soon as you finish bathing.
- Make sure that your health care provider performs a visual foot exam at every medical visit.
- Schedule a foot exam with your health care provider once every year. This exam includes an inspection of the structure and skin of your feet.
If you get a skin injury, such as a cut, blister, or sore, check the area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- More redness, swelling, or pain.
- More fluid or blood.
- Warmth.
- Pus or a bad smell.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You develop a cut or sore, especially on your feet.
- You develop signs of infection after a skin injury.
- Your blood glucose level is higher than 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L) for 2 days in a row.
- You have itchy skin that develops redness or a rash.
- You have discolored areas of skin.
- You have areas where your skin is changing, such as thickening or appearing shiny.
Summary
- Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) can lead to health problems over time, including skin problems.
- People with diabetes have a higher risk for many types of skin complications.
- Check your skin every day for cuts, bruises, redness, blisters, or sores, especially on your feet.
- Tell your health care provider about any cuts, wounds, or sores you have, especially if they are healing slowly.
