One fall afternoon, as Karen (Karen Murphy) struggled to lift a heavy wooden table from her car, it crashed right into her big toe.
For Karen, a nurse who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes just 3 months earlier, the likelihood of problems after the injury was higher.
People with diabetes are more likely to have skin problems, similar to cuts, scrapes, and common infections (like tinea pedis) that can develop into more serious problems.
Erin Kelly, a diabetes educator at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, said, “Injuries are a curse for people with diabetes.” Injuries not only put the skin at higher risk for problems, they can also cause nerve damage, also known as neuropathy. Sometimes there are abnormalities in the skin that patients may not feel.
People with diabetes may also have circulation problems, which means the blood can’t transport nutrients to the wound to treat it.
Karen’s doctor stressed to her the importance of skin care, so she went for treatment right away.
“In the past, I always put off going to the doctor and kept thinking, ‘It’s no big deal,’ until it ended up being a big mistake.” “But if anything unusual happens to my skin, wounds or feet now, I need to seek medical attention immediately.”
Karen, now 46, doesn’t suffer much from her disease, and she takes careful care of her skin every day. Listed below are ways to prevent diabetic skin damage.
Moisturize
Having diabetes makes you more likely to have dry skin, which can lead to cuts and cracks, allowing bacteria to get inside the skin and then cause infections. Moisturizing is an easy way to prevent dry skin.
After a shower, it’s a good idea to apply moisturizer or lotion to your entire body. “This is when the skin absorbs skin care products better because more pores are open,” Erin said.
You don’t need any diabetes-specific products, but you should try to use skin care products with simple ingredients.
“Stay away from skin care products that have a lot of chemicals in them,” Erin advised, adding that they can make the skin drier. You should choose hypoallergenic products.
Other ways to moisturize include using a humidifier in your home during the winter and increasing your daily water intake; lip balm can relieve dry lips.
Focus on the feet
Sandra Barnaby, a chronic disease nurse practitioner at a care management organization in New York City, said, “The first place to find neuropathy is usually the hands and feet, because they are the distal end of the body.” So it’s important to check the hands and feet daily for wounds, blisters or cuts. That way, it can be treated before it gets worse.”
Make sure the crevices between the toes are kept dry, especially after bathing and before putting on socks, which should also be kept dry. Skin care products do not need to be applied between the toes.
“Any moisture is a risk for bacterial growth and infection,” Erin said.
Other areas where moisture can collect should also be kept dry, such as between and under the breasts and between the legs and under the arms.
Sandra said, “These areas are not suitable for moisturizers, which can lead to fungal infections.”
Cornstarch is one way to stay dry, or you can change your socks during the day, as Karen does, to prevent moisture buildup.
Take care of your nails and skin
Add nail care to your daily skincare routine and keep your nails flat and smooth so they can’t hook onto anything and cause damage.
Never cut your skin, as this can lead to fungal and bacterial invasion. Also, be sure not to get a pedicure.
“If there is neuropathy, a pedicure can be extremely dangerous,” Erin said. “It’s important to avoid getting treatment from anyone other than a podiatrist because of the risk of infection.”
Avoid contact with hot water, which can dry out the skin. Also, if there is neuropathy, it may not be able to sense the temperature of hot water and cause burns.
Erin said, “You shouldn’t put your hands and feet directly in the water until you’ve tested the rest of your body or asked someone else to help test the water temperature.” “One bath a day is enough,” she added.
Use sunscreen
Sunburn can also dry out the skin. That’s why you should always use sunscreen, especially on your face, neck and hands.
Erin said, “A simple facial moisturizer with a sun protection index is perfect for people with diabetes.”
Treat wounds immediately
Don’t let a small wound become a big problem. As soon as a wound appears, wash it with soap and water. Do not apply alcohol or iodine, which can dry out the skin. If the condition does not improve in the next few days, or if there are any signs of infection, such as fever or pus, see a doctor immediately.
Follow these guidelines to keep yourself and your skin healthy.
“Most people with diabetes don’t have serious skin problems,” Erin said.