Diabetes and skin care

Diabetes can affect every part of the body, including the skin. As many as one-third of people with diabetes will have a skin disorder caused or affected by diabetes at some time in their lives. In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes.

Conditions that diabetics might face include the following:

BACTERIAL INFECTIONS

Several kinds of bacterial infections occur in people with diabetes, including styes, boils, or infections of the hair follicles. At one time, bacterial infections were life-threatening, especially for people with diabetes. Today, death is rare.

FUNGAL INFECTIONS

The culprit in fungal infections of people with diabetes is often Candida albicans. This yeast-like fungus can create itchiness, often occurring in warm, moist folds of the skin.

ITCHING

Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin or poor circulation.

ATHEROSCLEROSIS

As atherosclerosis narrows the blood vessels, the skin changes. It becomes hairless, thin, cool and shiny. The toes become cold. Toenails thicken and discolor. And exercise causes pain in the calf muscles because the muscles are not getting enough oxygen.

Because blood carries the infection-fighting white cells, affected legs heal slowly when the skin in injured. Even minor scrapes can result in open sores that heal slowly.

DIABETIC BLISTERS

Diabetic blisters can occur on the backs of fingers, hands, toes, feet, and sometimes, on legs or forearms. These sores look like burn blisters, and are painless and have no redness around them.

DISSEMINATED GRANULOMA ANNULARE

In disseminated granuloma annulare, the person has sharply defined ring-shaped or arc-shaped raised areas on the skin. These rashes occur most often on parts of the body far from the trunk (for example, the fingers or ears).

ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS

Acanthosis nigricans is a condition in which tan or brown raised areas appear on the sides of the neck, armpits and groin. Sometimes they also occur on the hands, elbows, and knees. It usually strikes people who are obese.

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT SKIN PROBLEMS:

* Keep your diabetes well-managed.

* Keep skin clean and dry.

Avoid very hot baths and showers. If your skin is dry, don't use bubble baths. Moisturizing soaps may help. Afterward, use an oil-in-water skin cream. But don't put lotions between toes. The extra moisture there can encourage fungus to grow.

* Prevent dry skin. Moisturize your skin to prevent chapping, especially in cold or windy weather.

* Treat cuts right away.

* During cold, dry months, keep your home more humid.

* Use mild shampoos. Do not use feminine hygiene sprays.

* See a dermatologist about skin problems.

* Take good care of your feet. Check them every day for sores and cuts. Also, check your shoes for foreign objects before putting them on.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning