Diabetes and skin health -
Skin complications can occur when blood sugar levels are too high. Diabetes rashes and patches of skin dryness or discoloration are often early signs of diabetes.
People with diabetes have blood sugar levels that are too high due to a lack of insulin or insulin not working properly.
Skin conditions can often be the first sign that a person has diabetes. People can use medication to resolve skin problems, but managing blood sugar levels is usually the best way to prevent and treat skin problems related to diabetes.
When blood sugar levels are too high for too long, several changes take place in the body that can affect skin health. Most diabetes-related skin complications are harmless, but some can result in painful and persistent symptoms and may require medical attention.
The most effective treatment option for many diabetes-related skin conditions is effective blood sugar management. However, in severe cases, a doctor may prescribe oral steroids, medicated creams, or another treatment.
The main symptom of acanthosis nigricans is patches of thickened, hyperpigmented skin. These patches may appear gray, black, brown, or generally darker than the surrounding skin. This condition commonly affects the folds near the groin, back of the neck, and armpits.
Acanthosis nigricans can signify insulin resistance, which can occur in obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes. It is not dangerous or contagious, but a doctor can advise about the treatment options. Managing blood glucose levels and body mass index BMI may help.
People with psoriasis often develop discolored patches on their skin, which may be itchy and scaly. Some people may also experience changes in their nails or scalp. The appearance of psoriasis varies among individuals. In people with light skin, the affected patches tend to appear pink or red with silvery scales covering them.
In those with medium skin tones, the patches can be salmon-colored with silvery-white scales. On darker skin, psoriasis can look violet with gray scales, or it can be dark brown and difficult to see. Some people with psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis , which can cause severe joint pain.
People with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing psoriasis than those without diabetes. Visit our dedicated psoriasis hub to learn more about this condition. This is a connective tissue disorder in which symmetrical skin thickening affects the upper body — for example, the upper back and back of the neck.
Scleredema diabeticorum is a rare condition that affects 2. It can also occur in people without diabetes following infection. There are many forms of scleredema, and the treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause. The proper management of blood sugar levels can improve the symptoms.
Other treatment options include oral medications, such as cyclosporine, corticosteroids, and methotrexate. However, research has not confirmed that any of these are effective.
Some doctors may recommend light therapy. People with diabetes may develop tight, thick, waxy-looking skin on their skin, hands, and digits.
This is due to circulatory problems. The symptoms often start on the hands but can spread to the arms and upper body. Less commonly, they can affect the knees, ankles, or elbows, and the skin may have an orange-peel appearance. Joint stiffness can occur.
The best way for people with diabetes to prevent this complication is by maintaining their blood sugar levels.
A doctor may also recommend physical therapy. Some people develop irregularly shaped blister-like sores that appear randomly across their feet and hands. The blisters are often large and painless, occurring either alone or in patches.
The only treatment option is good blood sugar management, although a doctor may aspirate large blisters under sterile conditions. Those with bullae lesions should avoid breaking the blister, as doing so carries the risk of infection. These blisters usually heal without scarring, but if complications develop, amputation may be necessary.
This condition involves circular, reddish, or light-brown patches that usually appear on the shins or other bony parts of the body. The patches are also usually indented and scaly. The condition results from damage to the nerves and blood vessels — particularly small blood vessels. As the condition affects areas of the body with less protective muscle and fat, lesions may reflect an increased response to injury.
Sometimes, insignificant wounds can become open sores called diabetic ulcers. These can occur anywhere on the skin but are most common on the feet.
Diabetes can affect blood circulation and the nervous system. If a person has a wound on their foot due to a lack of sensation, it can mean that they do not notice the injury.
In addition, the low blood supply can make it harder for wounds to heal. Untreated ulcers are at risk of infection. Infections can cause tissue death, and the person may ultimately need an amputation. Between 0. It is essential for people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels and regularly check their feet and other parts of the body for wounds or lesions that may need attention.
Learn more about how diabetic ulcers can affect the feet. A person with xanthelasma has scaly, yellow fat deposits on and near the eyelids.
These deposits may also appear on the neck, trunk, and shoulders and around the underarms. Xanthelasma can result from high levels of fat in the body, which can be due to genetic defects in fat metabolism or secondary causes, such as diabetes, pregnancy, or obesity.
Some small studies have suggested that lipid-reducing medications may be effective. If a person with diabetes is unable to manage their glucose levels effectively, this can sometimes result in crops of bumps with a reddish-brown to yellowish-orange color. These lesions are fatty deposits under the skin.
Eruptive xanthomas can form anywhere on the body, but they most often appear on the thighs and buttocks and in the crooks of the elbows and knees. Diabetes is one reason why this might occur.
Other possible causes include genetic factors, hypothyroidism , and cirrhosis. A severe case may signal an increased risk of pancreatitis. A person with severe symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.
The treatment for people with diabetes involves following a low fat diet, reaching a moderate weight, and managing blood sugar levels. A doctor may then recommend the use of statins or fibrates. Skin tags are soft, skin-colored growths that hang from the skin.
Studies have linked skin tags, also called acrochordons, with high or uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum NLD is a rare and chronic condition that causes a rash to form. It is more common in people with diabetes than in those without the condition.
Lesions usually begin as small, firm, raised bumps and progress to larger plaques of waxy, hard, depressed skin. The plaques are usually painless, and the surrounding skin appears pale and shiny in comparison.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. ca Network. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Main Content Related to Conditions Diabetes Disease and Injury Prevention Skin, Hair, and Nails.
Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents Getting Started Related Information Credits. Top of the page. Caring for Your Skin When You Have Diabetes. Getting Started If high blood sugar levels have damaged nerves that go to your skin, you may sweat less, and your skin may become dry and cracked.
Inspect your skin every day. Keep your skin folds dry. Take care when you bathe. Use warm water. Avoid hot water, which can dry out skin. Always test the temperature of the water before you take a bath or shower. Use your elbow or upper arm to check the temperature.
Or have a family member do it. Use a bath soap that has a moisturizer added. Use soap only as needed on your feet, underarms, and groin. Avoid deodorant soaps and antibacterial soaps. They may dry your skin. If your skin is dry, don't use bubble baths.
Use a bath oil instead. Use a moisturizer after you bathe. But don't put it on skin folds and between your toes. Wear gloves when you do chores.
Use gloves when you garden, do yard work, use household chemicals, or do dishes. Take steps to prevent problems from the sun. Cover any ulcers or wounds with a bandage, not sunscreen.
Treat peeling sunburns with lotion.
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