5 skin problems common in people with diabetes and blood sugar problems

Diabetes is a widespread lifestyle disease that affects millions of people around the world. A diabetic person has to deal with a lot – they have to be extremely careful of their diet, blood sugar levels, weight and lifestyle choices to make sure they do not cause the blood sugar levels to increase in any way.

An increase in blood sugar levels can be quite risky and even life-threatening. Diabetic people deal with the effects of diabetes on an everyday basis. Diabetes can also affect the skin and cause certain skin problems. If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, here are the skin problems that you should know about. Also, if you see any of these problems affecting your skin if you do not have diabetes, it may be time to get tested.

General skin problems – itching, bacterial or fungal infections

There are certain general skin conditions that you may get even if you do not have diabetes but diabetic people get them more easily. These include bacterial infections like styles and boils, fungal infections like ringworms, athlete's foot, and also itching that can occur due to poor blood circulation or dry skin.

Acanthosis Nigricans

Acanthosis Nigricans mostly affects people who are extremely overweight. It occurs mostly in the skin folds. It is a skin condition where brown raised areas appear on the skin of the neck, armpits or groin. They may also affect the skin on arms, legs or elbows. Losing weight is a way to reduce the condition. You can also use creams to reduce the spots caused due to this on your skin.

Diabetic dermopathy

A skin condition that looks like dark, scaly patches which are oval or circular in shape, diabetic dermopathy occurs on the front of the legs. Often mistaken as signs of ageing, diabetic dermopathy may not affect both the legs in the same degree. Diabetic dermopathy is pretty harmless and does not need treatment. 

Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum

The skin condition called necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum is a similar skin condition like the diabetic dermopathy but the patches may be fewer, larger and deeper in this condition. NLD can also be painful and itchy and the patches can also crack open, unlike diabetic dermopathy.

Diabetic blisters

Diabetic blisters or bullosis diabeticorum is a rare condition that affects diabetic people where the skin breaks out in blisters. Blisters caused due to diabetes are mostly large but do not ache or have redness or inflammation. They are mostly harmless.

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Skin care for Diabetics

Common Diabetic Skin Complications

• Bacterial and fungal skin infections  are a very common complication for people with diabetes, and often result when a bacteria or fungus invades a cut; scratch; dry, cracked skin; or other wounds.
• Acanthosis nigricans is a frequent diabetes skin problem, especially for Latinos and African-Americans. Characterized by tan or brown, velvety skin developing at the neck, groin, and underarms, acanthosis nigricans is often a sign of insulin resistance.
• The brown, scaly patches of diabetic dermopathy  are often mistaken for age spots. Small oval or circular, and harmless, these spots tend to occur on the front of both legs.
• Lower extremity changes like ulcers, erosions, or discoloration are another common skin complication associated with diabetes and are often the result of poor circulation.

Diabetic Skin Care Tips

• Get educated. One key to preventing diabetic skin problems is to understand what causes them. Talk to your doctor. Learn about diabetic skin complications, what your particular risks are, and how you can lower them.
• Control your diabetes.  Getting -- and keeping -- your blood glucose within normal range can go far toward preventing common diabetic skin complications. If you're already experiencing skin issues, managing your diabetes can help prevent problems from getting worse.

To get a handle on your diabetes, strive for a healthy weight, eat right, cut back on salt, maintain a healthy blood pressure, and exercise. That's a tall order, but talk to your health care team for support.

• Be aware.  If you suffer from diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy), you could have an infected cut, scratch, or skin puncture and not know it. Don't let a small problem turn into a big one -- be aware of your body. Check your feet, ankles, in between your toes and legs regularly for wounds that aren't healing.
• Do something about wounds and sores. Don't neglect wound care. If you find a nick, a scratch, a small cut, anything that isn't healing or that worries you, talk to your doctor immediately.
• Cover up.  This simple first line of defense can help you avoid the cuts and scratches that can lead to infection. Whether you're gardening or walking the dog, cover your legs with long pants and your feet with flat, good-fitting shoes.
• Practice good skin care.  Keeping skin clean and dry, but not too dry, is key to good diabetic skin care. 

To take care of your skin:

• Keep skin comfortably dry , especially at armpits, toes, and groin. Talcum powder can help.
• But avoid drying skin out. Skin that's too dry can crack, itch, and get infected, so prevent that by taking short, lukewarm showers or baths and using mild soaps and shampoos when you wash. Avoid deodorant or scented cleansers, which can be harsh on sensitive skin.
• Moisturize if your skin is dry . The best time to moisturize is right after a shower or bath, when skin is still moist.
• Dry well by patting gently -- don't rub -- focusing on underarms, between legs, under breasts, and between toes.

Basic skin care can go far toward helping you prevent diabetic skin complications, but if you have questions, or if a cut, scrape, or bruise worries you, don't wait, talk to your doctor or dermatologist right away.