When it comes to diabetes-related skin problems, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) are a few health and skin issues that come clinging. Diabetes can affect many parts of the body, including your skin. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), skin problems are often the first visible signs of diabetes. While there’s no cure of diabetes, some people can manage their type 2 diabetes by eating well and exercising. However, often skin care is kept at the bay.
A few skin complications that may appear if you suffer from diabetes are:
- Yellow, reddish, or brown patches
- Hard, and thickened skin
- Open sores
- Shin spots
- Skin infections
- Blisters
- Darker skin
Tips To Prevent Skin Issues In Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you may be more susceptible to dry skin that can crack, itch, and get infected easily. Here are a few tips which will help you in preventing these skin issues.
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1. Healthy lifestyle is the key
Diabetes is a genetic disease therefore, people with a history of diabetes in their family should lookout for symptoms of vitiligo and psoriasis in general even if the disease is not diagnosed. Regular medication, physical exertion in the form of exercise, swimming or dancing, and a controlled and balanced diet is the key to keep diabetes under control. Acustoming yourself to these tiny lifestyle changes can help in controlling most of the above mentioned skin problems.
Also Read: 6 Skincare Tips For Those With Severe Diabetes
2. Maintain skin hygiene
Hygiene is one of the basic and most important tips to keep skin problems at bay. Keeping the skin clean and dry will help in preventing any skin damage. Focus especially in the problematic areas including the underarms, under the breasts, in between toes, and around the groin area. However, do not go overboard with soap and shower gels as it may rip the natural oils off the skin.
3. Avoid hot shower
Hot showers and baths tend to inflame the skin, which causes the skin to get red, and itchy. That eventually peels off. They can also disrupt the skin's natural balance of moisture, robbing of the natural oils, fats, and proteins that keep skin healthy. Therefore, avoid very hot baths and showers. Bathe twice in hot, humid weather to decrease sweating, which in turn will also help in reducing chances of infection.
Also Read: Can Diabetes Cause Skin Infections? Here Are Some Diseases Caused By It
4. Keep your skin moisturized
Moisturizing reduces several skin problems. Moisturizing everyday helps in reducing the chance of developing extreme dryness or even oiliness. Both the extremes are harmful for skin that causes the skin to break out which leads to skin conditions. Hence, moisturize your skin twice a day. Apply moisturizer all over the body if your skin is dry, as dryness may further allow allergic reactions to transpire.
5. Wash your feet and hands
Diabetic people are more likely to get skin and other ailments related to the extremities. Therefore, check them every day for sores and cuts. Wear broad, flat shoes that fit well so that you steer clear of the severity of the ailment.
6. Treat the wound immediately
The skin is a miraculous organ. It works to keep our insides in and foreign objects and infections out. If exposed to the outside world, the wound is left defenseless against various elements which in turn causes infection, swelling or other complications. Therefore, it is suggested to apply antibiotic ointment on cuts and wounds immediately. Make sure you re-dress it every day or as and when required.