subject: Diabetic Skin Complications [print this page] Diabetes is a disease that affects the entire body. The most common complication is manifested in the skin. About 33% of diabetics have experienced or will experience skin complications at some point in their lives. In a lot of cases, skin complications are the first sign of the disease. Here are some common skin complications that diabetes brings.
A bacterial infection brought about by Staphylococcus is among the most common skin complications. They occur as styes (swelling in the eyelid glands), boils, infections in the hair follicles, infections around the nails and carbuncles which are deep infections of the skin and the underlying tissues. In the past diabetics die from these kinds of bacterial skin complications but today with the advent of better blood glucose monitoring and control as well as modern diabetes medications; they can be treated and even prevented effectively.
Fungal infections are also common in diabetics. These are mainly brought about by Candida albicans, a type of yeast-like fungi that cause itchy red moist rashes surrounded by scales or tiny blisters. These rashes are found in moist and warm folds of skin such as under the breast, groin area, armpits and joints. Fungal infections caused by this Candida are known by their common names of athlete's foot, jock's itch, ringworms and even vaginal infection that cause itching.
The two infections mentioned typically bring itching but in diabetics even poor blood circulation produces the same effect on the skin. Diabetics are advised to limit bathing or use creams after bathing.
There are also skin conditions that are attributed to diabetes. One example is diabetic dermopathy. This happens when blood vessels become affected by diabetes causing visible changes to the skin. Manifestations if dermopathy are brown, scaly patches not dissimilar to age spots. The spots appear circular and usually do not itch, hurt or open up. It is generally harmless and requires no medication.
Atherosclerosis or the thickening of the blood vessels in the skin is also another common diabetic skin condition. Since the blood vessels are narrowed, the skin becomes thin, hairless and often shiny. Thickened arteries means the muscles particularly in the extremities lack oxygen supply and may hurt during exercise or do not heal easily when wounded.
Allergic reactions to diabetic medication such as insulin or diabetic pills may also be experienced. Diabetics need to be on the observe occurrence of rashes or any abnormalities especially around insulin injection sites.
Other diabetic skin conditions include diabetic blisters, eruptive xanthomatosis, digital sclerosis and acanthosis negricans. Usually the only treatment for these conditions is to bring the blood glucose level under control as well as extra care and vigilance.
