TYPE
2 DIABETES RELATED SKIN CONDITIONS
Type 2 diabetes can have an
effect on the entire body and this includes your skin. About 1/3 of persons with type 2
diabetes develop a skin disorder or have a skin disorder that is
affected by diabetes. Sometimes
the skin disorder is the first sign of diabetes. Most of these skin conditions can be
prevented or easily treated if detected early.
Skin
conditions affecting type 2 diabetics are not out of the extraordinary
and be developed by anyone, but type 2
diabetics are more likely to develop this skin conditions. These skin conditions can include
bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Some skin conditions are
predominately experienced by diabetics.
These include dermopathy, necrobiosis, lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic blisters, and eruptive xanthomatosis.
Bacterial
infections include infection of the glands of the eyelids, infections
of the hair follicles, deep infections of the skin and infections
around the nails.
Yeast
like fungal infections often occur in warm, moist folds of the
skin. Problem areas are the arm
pits, under the breasts, around the nails, between toes and fingers,
the corners of the mouth, the groin area, and under the foreskin. Jock itch, athlete’s foot,
ringworm, and vaginal infection are common fungal skin infections.
Itching
is often caused by yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. Limit how often you bathe, use mild
soap, use moisturizer and skin creams to prevent or reduce itching.
You
may also suffer from dermopathy which appears
a lot like old age spots, these are harmless, but unattractive. Generally they occur around your
legs.
A
similar skin disease caused by changes in the blood vessels is necrobiosis lipoidica. These spots are larger and deeper and
look like a shiny scar with a violet border. Sometimes they become itchy and
painful and the spots may crack open.
Fortunately the condition is more rare
and no treatment is required unless they crack open.
Atherosclerosis
affects people with diabetes at a much younger than most people. This is a condition that narrows the
blood vessels. The skin can
become hairless, thin, cool and shiny.
Toenails thicken and discolor and exercise causes pain in the
calf muscles because of a lack of oxygen to the calf muscles.
Skin
injuries including cuts and abrasions will heal slower because there of
poor circulation that carries the infection fighting white cells.
For
type 2 diabetics it is not unusual to develop allergic reactions to
medication. Some skin Look for depressions, bumps at sites where you
inject insulin, and rashes.
Consult your doctor.
If
you do not control your glucose level as type 2 diabetic you may
develop blisters on the backs of your fingers, hands, toes, feet,
forearms, and legs. These are know as diabetic blisters. You may also develop firm yellow
bumps on the backs of your hands, feet, arms, legs and buttocks. These go away once the sugar level
is brought under control
The
best way to prevent skin problems resulting from type 2 diabetes is to
control your glucose level, to eat a proper diet, and exercise. As an added precaution you may want
to consider the following tips to prevent type 2 diabetes related skin
conditions.
Things to prevent type 2 diabetes
related skin conditions.
(1) Keep your sugar level under control.
(2) Keep your skin dry and clean.
(3) Use talcum powder in your skin folds, such as
armpits and groin area.
(4) Avoid taking extremely hot baths and showers.
(5) Don’t use bubble baths and keep your
number of baths to a minimal.
(6) Avoid standard skin lotion between your toes.
(7) Moisturize your skin to prevent chapping.
(8) Take care of scraps and cuts right away.
(9) Use mild shampoos and avoid feminine hygiene
sprays.
(10) Regularly check your own feet.
(11) Make sure your shoes
fit well and make sure there are no foreign objects in your shoes.