Diabetes gives patients a good reason to care for their skin. When suffering from diabetes, the skin can be more prone to problems such as dryness. And, because diabetes increases a patient’s chance of infection, even a small skin condition can evolve into a more serious problem.
This article looks at common skin problems that can occur in people with diabetes, how to prevent them, and how to care for them if they do occur.
“It’s more of a cosmetic area and doesn’t actually require treatment,” said Dr. Margo S. Hudson, MD, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School.
- Spread granuloma annulare: This disease produces raised rings or arcs on the patient’s body that are red, reddish-brown, or the same color as the skin. They tend to appear on the patient’s fingers, ears, or lower legs, and may also appear in the trunk area. Doctors may prescribe cortisone skin ointment or other treatment medications.
- Finger sclerosis: About one-third of people with type 1 diabetes have this condition. It causes the skin on the back of the hand to become thick, waxy, and tight. The joints of the fingers may become stiff and difficult to move. Lesions may also appear on the forehead and toes, or, more rarely, on the elbows, knees or ankles. To treat this disease, one needs to control his or her blood sugar.
- Acanthosis nigricans: The skin on the patient’s neck, armpits, or groin thickens and turns tan or black.
“People think it’s something dirty and wonder why they can’t always get them clean,” Dr. Hudson said.
Insulin resistance can cause the disease, and overweight patients are more likely to develop it. Treatment includes losing weight and taking medications for diabetes, which will help the body use insulin better.
- Rash skin xanthomas: Young men with type 1 diabetes who also have high levels of cholesterol and fat in their blood often develop this condition. The condition produces pea-sized, yellow, raised bumps surrounded by a red halo that may cause itching. These bumps can appear on the hands, arms, feet, legs and buttocks. Controlling blood sugar levels will clear these lumps.
Protect yourself
The best ways to fight infections and thus prevent skin problems include:
- Check your feet and areas of your body that tend to get wet and sweaty every day.
- Apply moisturizer to dry skin daily to prevent cracking and itching.
- Patients should contact their doctor no matter where on their body they feel an infection has developed.
- Do not try to treat skin infections yourself at home with over-the-counter products – these medications may not be effective enough.