How Diabetes Affects Your Skin....?

People with diabetes are the ones having too much glucose (sugar) in their blood for a long time which can cause a very serious complications, including skin problems. In fact, about a third of people with diabetes develop skin problems that is related to their disease at some point in their lives.

Such problems are in fact the first signs that such person have diabetes. The good news is, most skin conditions can be prevented and successfully treated if caught early. But if not cared for properly, a minor skin condition in a person with diabetes can turn into a serious problem with potentially severe consequences.  Keeping proper control of your blood sugar (glucose) can prevent skin problems, and many other diabetes symptoms, from happening in the first place.

Some of these problems are skin conditions anyone can have, but people with diabetes get it more easily. These skin conditions include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems occur mostly to people with diabetes.  

Skin Conditions Associated with Diabetes

Bacterial Infection

Different types of bacterial infection can occur in people with diabetes which includes

• Styes (infection of the gland of the eyelid)
• Boils
• Folliculitis (infection of the hair follicles)
• Infections around the nails
• Carbuncles (deep infection of the skin and the tissue underneath the skin)

Although anyone can get bacterial skin infections, but diabetics are more prone to them. Normally the area around the infection will be hot, red, painful, and swollen. Most bacterial infections require treatment with antibiotics in the form of pills and also lotion, usually to clear up these skin problems.

Fungal Infection

 

The fungal infections of people with diabetes is known as Candida albicans. This yeast-like fungus can create itchy rashes of moist, that is usually surrounded by microscopic blisters and scales. These infections often occur in warm, moist areas of the skin, areas like under the breasts, around the nails, between fingers and toes, in the corners of the mouth, and in the armpits and groin. Other fungal infections include jock itch, athlete's foot, ringworm (a ring-shaped itchy patch), and vaginal infection that causes itching.

Itching

Itching on the skin also called pruritus can be related to many causes ranging from a yeast infection, dry skin, to  poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the lower parts of the legs may be the itchiest part of the body. Itching can be treated at home by considering bathing less with the use of mild soap, the apply some skin moisturizer for dry skin and lotion after bathing.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition that affects the coloration of the skin. With vitiligo, the special cells that make melanin (brown pigmentation) are destroyed, leading to patches of discolored skin. Vitiligo often affects the chest and abdomen, but may be found on the face around the mouth, nostrils, and eyes. Although the cause of vitiligo is unknown, experts believe it is an autoimmune condition like type 1 diabetes, and research has found a link between the two conditions. This condition is more commonly associated with type 1 diabetes. Current treatment options for vitiligo include

•  topical steroid creams, 
•  ultraviolet light treatments, and 
• micropigmentation (tattooing). 

If you have vitiligo, it's important to wear a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, since the de-pigmented skin has no natural sun protection.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic skin reactions can occur in response to medicines, such as insulin or diabetes pills. You should see your doctor if you think you are having a reaction to a medicine. Be on the lookout for rashes, depressions, or bumps at the sites where you inject insulin.
 

Digital Sclerosis

Sometimes, people with diabetes develop thick, waxy skin on the backs of their hands, skin on the toes and forehead also becomes thick. The finger joints become stiff and can no longer move the way they should. Rarely, knees, ankles, or elbows also get stiff. This condition happens to about one third of people who have type 1 diabetes. The only treatment is to bring blood sugar levels under control.
 

Neuropathy-Related Skin Problems

 

Diabetes can cause nerve damage called neuropathy, a common diabetes symptom. Sometimes the damage causes a loss of sensation in the feet. If you step on something and injure your foot or develop a blister, you might not be able to feel it. An open sore called a foot ulcer can develop and could get infected. Take a look at your feet every day to make sure they are not injured in any way.

Diabetic Blisters

 

It’s rare, but sometimes people with diabetes erupt in blisters (bullosis diabeticorum). The blisters occur on the backs of fingers, hands, toes, feet, and sometimes on the legs or forearms. They resemble burn blisters. Having diabetic neuropathy puts you at higher risk of developing these blisters. Here’s the good news: They are usually painless and heal on their own in a few weeks. Keeping blood glucose under control is the only treatment for this skin problem.

Diabetic Dermopathy

Diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels. These changes can cause skin problems called diabetic dermopathy. Dermopathy often looks like light brown, scaly patches. These patches may be oval or circular. Some people mistake them for age spots. This disorder most often occurs on the front of both legs. But the legs may not be affected to the same degree. The patches do not hurt, open up, or itch. Dermopathy is harmless and doesn't need to be treated.

Eruptive Xanthomatosis

 

Eruptive xanthomatosis is another condition caused by diabetes that's out of control. It consists of firm, yellow, pea-like enlargements in the skin. Each bump has a red halo and may itch. This condition occurs most often on the backs of hands, feet, arms, legs and buttocks. The disorder usually occurs in young men with type 1 diabetes. The person often has high levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood. Like diabetic blisters, these bumps disappear when diabetes control is restored.




#stayhealthy

 

 References:

webmd.com

diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

 my.clevelandclinic.org

https:diabetesaustralia.com.au

 everydayhealth.com

 diabetes.org

 medicinenet.com

diabetesselfmanagement.com

  

In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.
Some of these problems are skin conditions anyone can have, but people with diabetes get more easily. These include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems happen mostly or only to people with diabetes. These include diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic blisters, and eruptive xanthomatosis. 
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/skin-complications.html#sthash.P41bJrpJ.dpuf

In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.
Some of these problems are skin conditions anyone can have, but people with diabetes get more easily. These include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems happen mostly or only to people with diabetes. These include diabetic
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/skin-complications.html#sthash.P41bJrpJ.dpuf

fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.
Some of these problems are skin conditions anyone can have, but people with diabetes get more easily. These include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems happen mostly or only to people with diabetes. These include diabetic
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/skin-complications.html#sthash.P41bJrpJ.dpuf

In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.
Some of these problems are skin conditions anyone can have, but people with diabetes get more easily. These include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems happen mostly or only to people with diabetes. These include diabetic
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/skin-complications.html#sthash.P41bJrpJ.dpuf

In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.
Some of these problems are skin conditions anyone can have, but people with diabetes get more easily. These include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems happen mostly or only to people with diabetes. These include diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic blisters, and eruptive xanthomatosis. 
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/skin-complications.html#sthash.P41bJrpJ.dpuf

Thursday, November 27, 2014