5 Most Common Skin Problems Linked to Diabetes

Diabetes affects several organs of your body. When you observe certain conditions on your skin, it usually means that your blood sugar levels are too high, or you have undiagnosed diabetes or your treatment needs to be adjusted accordingly. This article helps you understand common skin issues connected to diabetes for suitable treatment.

1.  Acanthosis Nigricans

It is a skin condition found in patients with diabetes. In such conditions, the skin becomes hard, brown colored and patchy. It might sometimes feel velvety. The common spots are knuckles, groin, and armpits. Obesity is generally thought to cause this condition, and reducing weight can help eliminate this condition.

Apart from diabetes, hormonal imbalance can also cause this condition. This condition is not particularly harmful or contagious. Doctors must check for the root cause prior to treatment.

2.  Diabetic Blisters:

As shown in the picture, these blisters can rarely occur anywhere on your body. They take up to 3 weeks to heal. These blisters look scary but rarely cause any pain or discomfort. If you have diabetes or your blood sugar levels are not maintained, you are likely to encounter these blisters. You must talk to your doctor if you see such blisters anywhere on your body. Generally, they pop up on hands, feet, toes or feet. Doctors might suggest antibiotic cream, ointment or bandage to treat these blisters. These blisters are not painful, but care must be taken if they appear anywhere on your skin.

You can visit your dermatologist for specialized treatment if conditions persist for long. A doctor can prescribe a biopsy in some cases. You should keep your blood sugar levels in check to prevent these blisters. Apart from that, limit UV light exposure, use gloves and socks.

3.  Diabetic Dermopathy:

As shown in the picture, this is a condition in which dark brown spots appear on shins or other parts of the body. These can be misinterpreted as age spots, but these are not. Instead, these brownish patches occur due to high blood sugar levels. Dermopathy is mostly painless and fades away in one or one and a half years on its own. However, in some cases, it can take a long time to go away.

4.  Fungal Infections:

Just like bacteria, fungi also like to roam around moist surfaces. Usually between fingers, armpits, toes, under breasts, nails or corners of your mouth, the condition shown in the picture is observed. It is called fungal infection. Sometimes you can feel a jock itch around your genitals or ringworm on your scalp. Only a trained healthcare professional can help you diagnose and treat this condition.

5.  Vitiligo:

In diabetic patients, apart from other skin issues connected to diabetes, sometimes vitiligo can also occur. This condition is prevalent in Type-I diabetes, but sometimes Type-II patients can also encounter this skin ailment. The cells responsible for the appearance and color of your skin are destroyed by vitiligo. Appears on your back, belly, chest or sometimes face. UV light, surgery and medicated creams can easily treat vitiligo.

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