Diabetes causes dry skin, which means patients may be more susceptible to injury, infections, and wounds that take longer to heal. The following tips can help patients with skin care and keep their skin healthy.
Key points to protect the skin
To protect the skin from cold or cold winds, people with diabetes should protect their ears and face (including their nose) when they go outside, wear a hat, warm gloves, and shoes or boots.
Patients should also do the following:
- Use lip balm to prevent dry, cracked lips.
- Use a humidifier in a room with heat.
- Use warm (not hot) water and a mild moisturizing soap in the bath or shower.
- Don’t take long baths or showers.
- Do not rub your skin.
- Do not rub your skin.
- Pat your skin dry after washing and use a mild lotion to prevent dry skin.
- Avoid scratching and keep skin moisturized with moisturizer.
- Apply lotion to hands after each hand wash.
- Choose products that are appropriate for your skin to reduce the risk of allergies.
- Patients who are prone to acne should choose skin care products under the guidance of a dermatologist. This is because certain moisturizers may cause acne to grow or worsen.
Prepare a first aid kit
Patients should have a first-aid kit nearby with items that include:
- Antibacterial ointment
- Gauze pads
- Anti-allergy tape or paper tape
- Prepackaged cleaning wipes (for use without soap and water)
Key points for blister care
- Do not squeeze the blister; an intact blister helps prevent infection.
- Wash gently with mild soap and warm water.
- Apply antibacterial ointment to the blister.
- Cover the affected area with a cloth bandage or gauze pad and secure with anti-allergy tape or paper tape.
- Change the bandage at least once a day.
- Change the bandage at least once a day.
- If you have blisters on your feet from shoes that rub your feet, do not wear shoes that rub your feet until they heal.
Key points of care for small wounds
- Wash gently with mild soap and warm water.
- Apply antibacterial ointment.
- Cover the wound with a cloth bandage or gauze pad and secure with anti-allergy tape or paper tape.
- Change the bandage at least once a day.
Key points in the care of the rash
- Wash the affected area gently with mild soap and warm water and pat dry.
- Cover the affected skin with a cloth bandage or gauze pad and secure with anti-allergy tape or paper tape.
- Check the affected area closely.
- Check the affected area closely to make sure it is not getting worse.
- Change the bandage at least once a day.
Key points of care for small burns
- Rinse this burn with cool, clean tap water.
- Do not squeeze the blister.
- Gently wipe the injury with mild soap and warm water and pat dry.
- Cover the burn area with a gauze pad and secure with anti-allergy tape or paper tape.
- Change the bandage at least once a day.
Key points of care for frostbite
- Visit a doctor immediately.
- Warm the skin with warm water (36.7 to 40°C) rather than hot water.
- Do not scrub the frostbitten area or apply cream.
- Do not try to walk or use other frostbitten areas while your feet are frostbitten.
Symptoms that require medical attention
Patients with diabetes need to pay special attention to their feet. In addition to daily foot care, patients with the following conditions should consult a doctor immediately.
- No improvement on day 2 after treating a minor problem such as a cut.
- Pain or discomfort lasting more than 2 days.
- Fever.
- Fever.
- A fever.
- Pain or pus near the wound.