Skin Conditions Associated With Diabetes

Diabetes can affect the body, including the skin. There are many skin conditions that can occur with people who have diabetes. One third of people who have diabetes will have a skin disorder at some time in their life. Some of these skin conditions can be more serious than others, although most can be prevented or treated if caught early. Anyone can have these skin conditions, but it is easier for people who have diabetes to have these skin complications.

Bacterial Infections

Diabetics can attract several bacterial infections, one of the most common infections is styes. The glands of the eyelid becomes infected. Boils are another kind of skin infection or hair follicles become infected. Carbuncles are deep infections within the skin that reach the tissue underneath the skin. Another kind of infection can occur around the finger nails or toe nails. Maintaining good skin care and blood sugar control, can reduce the risk of these infections. Keeping your skin clean and dry will make it easier to fend off harmful bacteria's. Do not apply lotion in-between the toes, this extra moisture will cause fungus to grow. Be careful when trimming your toe nails or finger nails, cutting them to short can cause them to bleed and allow infection to set in. Dry skin or itchy skin can easy open and allow infection to set in. Moisturize the skin to keep if from becoming dry or itchy. When a cut occurs, treat it immediately. Wash the cut with soap and water, then apply a antibiotic cream to the area and cover with a sterile gauze. Taking these precautions will decrease your chances of getting a skin infection.

Diabetic Dermopathy

Diabetic Dermopathy is caused when there is a change in the small blood vessels that cause skin conditions. Light brown scaly patches occur on the skin, often mistaken for age spots, these patches are oval or circular in shape. Diabetic Dermopathy often occurs on the front of both legs. The scaly patches do not itch, hurt, or open up, this condition is harmless.

Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum

Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum is a disease that may be caused by changes in the blood vessels. Similar to Diabetic Dermopathy, although the difference between the two are, NLD the spots are fewer but larger and deeper. The spots are dull red puffy areas, as it progresses, it looks like a shinny scar with a violet border. You may notice the blood vessels under the skin. Some diabetics who suffer from NLD may experience itching and pain with this skin condition. The spots may crack open, if this occurs you will need to see your doctor for treatment.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is when the arteries thicken, it affects the skin on the legs and usually occurs at a younger age. Atherosclerosis narrows the blood vessels causing the skin to change, the skin becomes thin, cool, shinny, and hairless. Toes become cold, discolored, and the nails thicken. Activities and exercise causes pain in the calf muscle, this is due to a lack of oxygen in the muscle. Some diabetics do not feel cold, hot, pain, or pressure as easily as others, usually due to poor circulation. Sores can occur without a diabetic knowing it, the wound then goes uncared for and infection sets in. Atherosclerosis only makes things worse, the lack of proper blood flow can cause the infection to become severe.

Sources

http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/skin-complications.jsp