People with diabetes need to pay special attention to their skin because diabetes has a major impact on it.
Dry skin
For people with dry skin, diabetes can worsen the dryness of the skin. Because high blood sugar makes urination more frequent, it is more likely to cause a lot of water loss from the skin.
If the nerves don’t receive signals to keep the skin soft and moist, the skin can become dry. This can be caused by nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy.
Symptoms of dry skin
Dry skin can become red and sore. Because the skin can be easily injured and more difficult to heal, moisturizing lotions need to be applied frequently.
Dry weather or hot and cold temperatures can also cause dry skin. Dr. Fred Williams, a clinical endocrinologist in Louisville, Kentucky, said winter is especially dangerous for people with diabetes. “At lower humidity levels, the skin and heels can molt or dry out.”
Bacteria can get inside the body through the dry cracks in dry skin. The infection can spread quickly, he said.
The dangers of high blood sugar
People with diabetes should be concerned and proactive about protecting their skin.
Fred said, “Check the body (especially the soles of the feet) daily for small cuts, which patients may not notice as cuts or abrasions.”
Treating wounds becomes more important if diabetes is not properly controlled. Patients who are not meeting their blood sugar goals, he said, “have poorer wound healing and are at higher risk of developing skin infections.”
Staphylococcus and Candida like a high glycemic environment. High blood sugar also causes immune cells that fight infection to be slow to act. Patients with poorly controlled blood sugar are less able to fight infections than those with good blood sugar control.
Therefore, acne, razor cuts or other small scrapes, scratches, and punctures should be carefully monitored and treated. Diabetes can lead to poor blood flow and slow wound healing, which may put small wounds at risk for infection.
Wound infections
Ronnie Oller, 67, has type 1 diabetes and diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes, which makes her arms and legs feel uncomfortable. â—†She said, “Because of the diabetes so I don’t notice the wound, I can’t even feel the pain that should be there.”
The risk of infection is very high if there are wounds on the skin, and Ronnie said she pays special attention to this.
“If I break glass in the kitchen, I don’t go into the kitchen until I’m done cleaning it thoroughly,” she said.
Many people with diabetes should maintain such caution. If a minor skin problem is not addressed, the consequences can be severe, with very serious infections or surgery to remove part or all of the limb.
Ronnie ended up losing two fingernails and three toenails due to infection from a small incision. “People with diabetes have to be very careful,” she said.
Other skin problems
Have other skin problems? People with diabetes often experience this condition. Insulin acts like a growth hormone and can cause skin tags, redness (red face), rosacea, and yellowing of the skin.
Tell your doctor if you notice changes in your skin.
Wrinkles and changes in skin appearance
Fine lines and wrinkles can look more pronounced in people with diabetes. Diabetes may cause dry skin, resulting in dehydrated skin, which becomes less plump and makes wrinkles look deeper.
In addition, sometimes diabetes can make blood vessels more visible and may also cause skin blemishes.
What is the best strategy for avoiding these skin problems? It’s to control your blood sugar.