People who have diabetes are often told to focus on managing blood sugar levels, learning how to properly administer insulin, and changing their relationship with carbohydrates. While these are all integral parts of diabetes management, skin health is an often overlooked component. As the body's largest organ, caring for your skin is essential. Unfortunately, several skin conditions are associated with diabetes, from rashes and wounds to dry or sensitive skin. Regardless of whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, we've put together some essential skin care tips to help you avoid complications.
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Skin?
Diabetes can affect many parts of the skin in different ways. While there are things you can do to help prevent serious complications, it's important to be aware of changes in your skin and talk to your doctor if you notice anything. According to the CDC, some ways that diabetes can cause changes in your skin include:
- Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a skin condition characterized by dark, velvety patches often appearing in body folds. AN is associated with insulin resistance and may serve as an early indicator of diabetes, but it is also common among individuals with obesity.
- Necrobiosis lipoidica is found on the lower legs. Although rare, it presents as shiny, reddish-brown lesions that look like pimples and may develop into open sores, usually affecting individuals with long-standing diabetes or poor management.
- Diabetic blistering (bullosis diabeticorum) is a mildly scary yet distinct complication. It occurs when fluid-filled sacs appear spontaneously on extremities and resolve without scarring. It is thought to be linked to poor blood sugar control. Blisters are often painless and usually heal on their own.
- Eruptive xanthomatosis is linked to the sudden appearance of yellow, pea-sized bumps surrounded by red halos. It's linked to elevated blood triglyceride levels and often resolves with improved diabetes and lipid control.
- Diabetic dermopathy manifests as light brown, scaly patches on the skin. It's a common skin issue among individuals with diabetes, typically appearing on the shins and often mistaken for age-related skin changes like age spots.
- Digital sclerosis involves the thickening and tightening of the skin on the fingers and toes, causing limited joint mobility, and is frequently associated with long-standing diabetes.
- Fungal infections occur more frequently in individuals with diabetes, particularly in warm and moist skin folds. This can result in issues such as athlete's foot or yeast infections.
- Bacterial infections on your skin are also common, as diabetes can impact immune function and slow wound healing.
Skin Care Tips for People with Diabetes
Unfortunately, diabetes may affect your skin in several ways, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to experience issues. To help keep your skin healthy, consider some of the following tips:
Avoid Harsh Soaps or Body Washes
Harsh soaps or cleansers can irritate your skin or lead to tender and itchy patches. Although everyone is different, it’s best to avoid soaps or body washes with strong, active ingredients or added fragrances. Instead, use a gentle cleaner or one that’s been specially made for individuals with diabetes. You can ask your doctor or dermatologist for their recommendations.
Shower or Bathe with Warm Water
Although a hot shower can be relaxing, high temperatures can damage your skin barrier. Plus, if you have diabetic neuropathy, you may not realize how hot the water is and end up with minor burns. While you don’t need to suffer through cold baths, it’s better to stick to warm water instead of scalding hot water.
Thoroughly Dry Your Skin After Bathing
After your shower, bath, or any exposure to water, it’s important to thoroughly dry your skin. Pay special attention to the skin between your toes, armpits, groin, and any area where your skin may rub together. Water that stays in these areas can increase your risk of irritation and infection.
Use Moisturizer Regularly
Using lotion is part of basic skin care for everybody, but it’s especially important for diabetes skin care. Moisturizing daily can help keep your skin flexible, decreasing the risk of cracking or infection. When your skin is dry, it becomes more susceptible to damage, increasing the risk of diabetes-associated complications. Keeping your skin moisturized helps strengthen the skin barrier and
Be Proactive About Dry, Itchy Skin
Lotion can help, but in some cases, you may need a stronger cream or ointment to help prevent dry skin. Being proactive about this will soothe your skin and ensure that you don’t experience issues with infection. If you notice that your skin becomes dry, it’s important to take extra care to soothe it appropriately. You can ask your doctor or dermatologist for recommendations that will help strengthen the skin’s barrier and heal itchy or painful spots.
Cover Up When Outside
Spending time in the sun can be great for your mental health, but it’s not so great for your skin. Although everyone should pay attention to their sun exposure, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s important to cover up whenever possible. Protect yourself from UVA and UVB by wearing long sleeves, a wide-brimmed hat, and an SPF of at least 50. Sunburns can cause skin problems that are easily avoided, so it’s important to be proactive when you’re outside. You should also cover up in cold weather, especially if the wind is harsh.
Learn How to Treat Minor Skin Problems
Minor cuts, rashes, blisters, and burns can be treated at home if you take the proper precautions. These types of skin problems require non-prescription treatments like cream or ointment and bandages but are common in people with diabetes.
- Small Cuts—Keep the cut clean and covered with gauze or a bandage. Watch for skin reactions and healing, and talk with your doctor if you notice any issues.
- Rashes — It’s common for skin reactions to result in small rashes. If this happens, keep the area clean, covered, and dry. Monitor it for any changes and change your bandage daily.
- Blisters — Never try to pop or break the blister, as this is the part that fights infection. Instead, use mild soap to gently wash the area and apply an antibacterial ointment. Then, cover it with a bandage, and be sure to change it once a day.
- Burns — Although trying to prevent skin burns is important, it’s not always possible. If you experience a burn, soothe it with clean, cool water. Then, keep it clean and covered until healed.
Skin Care Tips for People with Diabetes
Unfortunately, diabetes may affect your skin in several ways, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to experience issues. To help keep your skin healthy, consider some of the following tips:
Avoid Harsh Soaps or Body Washes
Harsh soaps or cleansers can irritate your skin or lead to tender and itchy patches. Although everyone is different, it’s best to avoid soaps or body washes with strong, active ingredients or added fragrances. Instead, use a gentle cleaner or one that’s been specially made for individuals with diabetes. You can ask your doctor or dermatologist for their recommendations.
Shower or Bathe with Warm Water
Although a hot shower can be relaxing, high temperatures can damage your skin barrier. Plus, if you have diabetic neuropathy, you may not realize how hot the water is and end up with minor burns. While you don’t need to suffer through cold baths, it’s better to stick to warm water instead of scalding hot water.
Thoroughly Dry Your Skin After Bathing
After your shower, bath, or any exposure to water, it’s important to thoroughly dry your skin. Pay special attention to the skin between your toes, armpits, groin, and any area where your skin may rub together. Water that stays in these areas can increase your risk of irritation and infection.
Use Moisturizer Regularly
Using lotion is part of basic skin care for everybody, but it’s especially important for diabetes skin care. Moisturizing daily can help keep your skin flexible, decreasing the risk of cracking or infection. When your skin is dry, it becomes more susceptible to damage, increasing the risk of diabetes-associated complications. Keeping your skin moisturized helps strengthen the skin barrier and
Be Proactive About Dry, Itchy Skin
Lotion can help, but in some cases, you may need a stronger cream or ointment to help prevent dry skin. Being proactive about this will soothe your skin and ensure that you don’t experience issues with infection. If you notice that your skin becomes dry, it’s important to take extra care to soothe it appropriately. You can ask your doctor or dermatologist for recommendations that will help strengthen the skin’s barrier and heal itchy or painful spots.
Cover Up When Outside
Spending time in the sun can be great for your mental health, but it’s not so great for your skin. Although everyone should pay attention to their sun exposure, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s important to cover up whenever possible. Protect yourself from UVA and UVB by wearing long sleeves, a wide-brimmed hat, and an SPF of at least 50. Sunburns can cause skin problems that are easily avoided, so it’s important to be proactive when you’re outside. You should also cover up in cold weather, especially if the wind is harsh.
Learn How to Treat Minor Skin Problems
Minor cuts, rashes, blisters, and burns can be treated at home if you take the proper precautions. These types of skin problems require non-prescription treatments like cream or ointment and bandages but are common in people with diabetes.
- Small Cuts—Keep the cut clean and covered with gauze or a bandage. Watch for skin reactions and healing, and talk with your doctor if you notice any issues.
- Rashes — It’s common for skin reactions to result in small rashes. If this happens, keep the area clean, covered, and dry. Monitor it for any changes and change your bandage daily.
- Blisters — Never try to pop or break the blister, as this is the part that fights infection. Instead, use mild soap to gently wash the area and apply an antibacterial ointment. Then, cover it with a bandage, and be sure to change it once a day.
- Burns — Although trying to prevent skin burns is important, it’s not always possible. If you experience a burn, soothe it with clean, cool water. Then, keep it clean and covered until healed.
