Common Causes
Getting your blood sugar levels under control clears them up. Bacterial skin infections are pretty common with diabetes, says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, of the Endocrinology and Metabolic Institute at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Related Conditions
Diabetes: Skin Conditions 1 Acanthosis nigricans. This is a condition that results in the darkening and thickening of the skin. 2 Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions to foods, bug bites, and medicines can cause rashes,... 3 Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of blood vessels thickening of the vessel walls.
How do I get rid of bacterial skin infections from diabetes?
For some, a referral to a dermatologist can actually lead to a person’s initial diabetes diagnosis, because skin issues are one of the earliest signs that develop, particularly in those with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
What are the skin conditions of diabetics?
Most bacterial infections require treatment with antibiotics in the form of pills and/or creams. In rare cases, people with diabetes develop blisters that resemble burn blisters. These blisters—called bullosis diabeticorum—can occur on the fingers, hands, toes, feet, legs, or forearms. Diabetic blisters usually are painless and heal on their own.
Should diabetics see a dermatologist for skin issues?
What are the treatment options for diabetic blisters?
How do you treat diabetic skin?
Moisturize every day. Keeping your skin moisturized helps to make it flexible and prevent cracks that often lead to infection. For best results, dermatologists recommend that you: Use a cream or ointment rather than a lotion. Creams and ointments do a better job of healing dry skin than do lotions.
Why do diabetics get skin infections?
High blood sugar can dry out your skin and curb your immune system. This raises your risk of skin infections, with staph (staphylococcus) being the most common. You might have styes on your eyes, inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis), or infected nails.
What does a diabetic skin infection look like?
Diabetic dermopathy Dermopathy often looks like light brown, scaly patches. These patches may be oval or circular. Some people mistake them for age spots. This disorder most often occurs on the front of both legs.
Are skin infections common with diabetes?
Skin infections with the bacteria known as Staphylococcus are more common and more serious in people with diabetes which is not under control. These bacteria can result in 'boils', an inflamed nodule from a hair follicle, which can occur in areas where hair follicles can be irritated.
How can a diabetic wound heal faster?
Tips to help a diabetic wound heal fasterWash your hands with soap and water.Rinse off the wound with warm water.Apply pressure to stop any bleeding.Apply antibiotic cream and cover with a bandage.
Can metformin cause skin problems?
Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic and antiobesity drug, exerts multiple effects on the skin, and could potentially induce a variety of dermatoses. Among others, the most commonly described drug-induced skin reactions include rash, urticaria, and lichenoid eruption.
How do I stop diabetic itching?
Other tips to manage itching include:Apply moisturizer to your skin several times a day, especially after taking a shower or bath.Take fewer showers or baths, maybe every other day.Shower or bathe in lukewarm water.Avoid skin products with harsh chemicals.Avoid fabrics that irritate your skin.More items...•
How do you stop itching immediately?
To help soothe itchy skin, dermatologists recommend the following tips:Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin that itches. ... Take an oatmeal bath. ... Moisturize your skin. ... Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine.Apply cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine.
Where do diabetic rashes appear?
This rash most often affects the backs of the hands, feet, arms, legs and buttocks. Among people with Type 1 diabetes, it's most common in men who have high cholesterol.
Can diabetes cause bacterial infections?
Patients with diabetes have a two-fold higher risk of community-acquired bacterial infections such as pneumococcal, streptococcal, and enterobacterial infections as compared with patients without diabetes (3-5). Urinary tract infections are more frequent in patients with diabetes.
Does type 2 diabetes cause skin problems?
Skin problems are often the first visible signs of diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Type 2 diabetes can make existing skin problems worse, and also cause new ones. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition that affects how your body utilizes glucose (sugar).
Disseminated Granuloma Annulare
This condition causes sharply defined, ring- or arc-shaped areas on the skin. These rashes most often occur on the fingers, hands, and feet, but th...
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) is caused by changes in the blood vessels and generally affects the lower legs. With NLD, the affected ski...
How Can These Skin Problems Be Prevented?
Keeping your diabetes under control is the most important factor in preventing the skin-related complications of diabetes. Follow your health care...
How to prevent diabetes?
Learn about the complications, what your particular risks are, and how you can lower them. Control your diabetes. Get -- and keep -- your blood sugar within a normal range.
How to stop skin problems?
If you already have skin problems, you can stop them from getting worse. Strive for a healthy weight, eat right, cut back on salt, maintain a healthy blood pressure, and exercise.
How to reduce acne?
Limit the number of products you use on your skin to lower your chances of having a reaction. If you're prone to acne, talk to your dermatologist before choosing a facial moisturizer. Some can cause acne or make it worse. Use products labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic.". Make a First-Aid Kit for Your Skin.
How to keep your skin from getting dry?
Don't rub. Focus on underarms, between legs, under breasts, and between toes. Some other tips to care for your skin: Use lip balm to prevent chapped lips. To prevent dry skin when the temperature drops, use a humidifier to add moisture to heated indoor air. Avoid scratching dry skin.
How to stop skin problems from getting worse?
If you already have skin problems, you can stop them from getting worse. 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.
How long does diabetes pain last?
Have pain or discomfort that lasts for more than 2 days. Have a high temperature.
How to cover a cut in the face?
Cover the cut with a cloth bandage or gauze pad. Secure that with hypoallergenic or paper tape. Change the bandage at least once a day. Gently wash the area with a mild soap and warm water and pat dry. Cover the irritated skin with a cloth bandage or gauze pad. Secure that with hypoallergenic or paper tape.
Diabetes can affect every part of the body, including the skin
In fact, skin problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes.
General skin conditions
Inflamed tissues are usually hot, swollen, red, and painful. Several different organisms can cause infections, the most common being Staphylococcus bacteria, also called staph.
Diabetes-related skin conditions
Acanthosis nigricans is a condition in which tan or brown raised areas appear on the sides of the neck, armpits, and groin. Sometimes they also occur on the hands, elbows, and knees.
How to prevent diabetes skin issues?
“Most skin issues are a result of uncontrolled blood sugar levels,” said Green, “and the skin usually clears up once levels are normalized.”. Keep your skin clean and dry whenever possible.
How to get rid of dry skin from diabetes?
Using a humidifier can help manage excessively dry skin issues. Avoid feminine hygiene sprays. Adding moisture of any kind to areas of your body already struggling with moisture is just going to exacerbate any diabetes skin issues. Instead, change your underwear halfway through the day to help with odor and moisture.
What to do if your foot is red and swollen?
If it becomes increasingly red, swollen, or starts to ooze, contact your primary care or urgent care quickly. A simple cut can lead to a serious infection that could threaten the entire foot or hand. During drier months, use a humidifier. During the winter, the cold and dry air can exacerbate some diabetes skin issues.
How to get rid of a groin rash?
Changing your underwear or undershirt halfway through the day, for example, can help reduce skin issues in your groin or armpit areas. Avoid hot baths and showers.
What color are bumps on the hands?
“This skin condition is characterized by bumps that are raised, firm, yellow and pea-green in color that appear on the hands, feet, arms, and legs of diabetics whose blood sugar levels are consistently high,” explains Green.
Can diabetes cause skin problems?
As if you didn’t have enough on your diabetes to-do list, you’ll want to add healthy skincare to the list to prevent the most common diabetes skin problems. In the same way that high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in your fingers, toes, eyes, and organs–they can lead to some mild-to-major issues within your skin, too.
Do blisters go away with diabetes?
“Blisters that look like ‘burn blisters’ primarily affect people with diabetic neuropathy. These blisters are often large and painless, and they go away once blood sugar levels are improved,” explains Green.
How Diabetes Changes Your Skin
Diabetes can dehydrate your skin and leave it dry. This is especially true if your blood sugar levels are high. Dry skin can itch and crack more easily. That gives germs a way in and puts you at greater risk of infection.
Easy Steps to Healthy Skin
Infections that go untreated can cause big problems. It can lead to ulcers that are hard to treat and even to amputation. That's why it pays to take good care of your skin. Here are some simple ways to do so:
What percentage of people with diabetes have skin problems?
Between 51.1 and 97 percent of people with diabetes will experience a related skin condition, according to a recent literature review. For this reason, people with type 2 diabetes should watch out for: cuts or wounds that are slow to heal, as slow-healing wounds are often entryways for secondary infections.
What is the best treatment for diabetes type 2?
These alternative remedies include: talcum powder where skin touches other parts of the skin, such as in the armpit or behind the knees.
What causes skin problems?
Causes of diabetes-related skin problems. Long-term type 2 diabetes with hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, tends to be associated with poor circulation, which reduces blood flow to the skin. It can also cause damage to blood vessels and nerves.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition that affects how your body utilizes glucose (sugar). This happens when the body either doesn’t respond normally to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level.
What causes red spots on skin?
Fungal infections. Fungal infections, caused by the spread of fungus or yeast, are also common for all people with diabetes. This is especially true if their blood glucose isn’t well-controlled. Yeast infections look like areas of red, itchy, swollen skin that are surrounded by blistering or dry scales.
Why do diabetics have brown spots on their shins?
These patches may be oval or circular. They’re caused by damage to the small blood vessels that supply the tissues with nutrition and oxygen.
How to manage diabetes?
These are a few lifestyle changes that can help manage diabetes: following a healthy diet, including eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. maintaining an exercise program, aiming for 30 minutes of cardio, 5 days a week. monitoring your blood sugar.
How to Treat Ulcers
If you do get an ulcer or notice a change in your skin that you’re not sure about, tell your doctor right away. You’ll likely get a procedure called debridement, which removes unhealthy tissue from the wound to spur healing.
When You Need More Treatment
If your wound doesn’t heal in about a month or becomes an infection that spreads to the bone, you may need other treatments. These can include surgery (most often to remove pressure-causing problems, such as bunions) and hyperbolic oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a special room in order to help your body heal.
Tips to Prevent Ulcers
There’s a lot you can do to lower your chance of having ulcers in the first place:
Where do you get a skin infection with diabetes?
You are most likely to have them in areas that get hot and sweaty, including: Under the breasts. Between fingers and toes. In the armpits.
What to do if you have an infection on your body?
If you think you have an infection anywhere on your body, call your doctor. Don't try to treat skin infections at home with over-the-counter products, because they may not be strong enough. Diabetes and Shot-Related Skin Problems. If you use insulin, you can have problems on your skin where you give yourself shots.
Why is it important to pamper your skin?
Diabetes gives you a good reason to pamper your skin. You are more prone to skin problems like dryness. Scarring from insulin shots can affect how your body absorbs insulin. And because diabetes raises your chances of infection, even a minor skin condition can become a more serious problem.
How to stop itching on toes?
Check your feet and any areas of your body that get damp and sweaty every day. Use moisturizer on dry skin daily to keep it from cracking and itching. Don't apply moisturizer between your toes, though. If you think you have an infection anywhere on your body, call your doctor.
Where to inject insulin?
Hatipoglu and Hudson also advise injecting insulin in different parts of the body. How fast your body will absorb it depends on the area you use -- such as the stomach, hips, thighs, arms, or buttocks. "In the summer, I tend not to use my legs," Kindelan says.
Why is insulin hard to control?
The way your body absorbs insulin may become erratic, making it hard to control your blood sugar levels. Some people who use insulin pumps have an allergic reaction to the adhesive used to secure it to the skin. Others are allergic to some types of insulin.
What causes red scabs on the skin?
Disseminated granuloma annulare. This causes red, red-brown, or skin-colored raised rings or arcs on the skin. They are likely to show up on your fingers, ears, or lower legs, but can also appear on the trunk of your body. Your doctor can prescribe a cortisone skin cream or another treatment. Digital sclerosis.
