Diabetes and skin problems
About one-third of people with diabetes often experience skin problems caused by diabetes. These require special attention because when people with diabetes have wounds, they are more likely to develop spreading infections and their wounds heal more slowly than in normal individuals. This is because when blood sugar is not well controlled, high blood sugar can cause abnormalities in blood vessels and the nervous system, especially at the fingertips, toes, or weight-bearing areas. Common skin problems in people with diabetes include itching, skin inflammation, infections, boils, pus, and slow-healing wounds. Most people with diabetes often feel thirsty and urinate frequently and in large amounts. When the body loses a lot of water through urination, it leads to dry skin and chronic itching.
Troublesome skin problems in people with diabetes can be divided into the following major categories:
The first group is complications from infections—both bacterial infections that cause conditions such as boils, folliculitis, and pus-infected wounds, and fungal infections, which often grow well in warm, moist areas. This results in red, peeling, burning, itchy rashes in skin folds such as the armpits, under the breasts, and the groin. Preventing these infections can be done by prioritizing cleanliness, especially cleaning moist skin-fold areas, and drying them thoroughly every time.
The second group is skin problems caused by poor blood circulation to the skin, often occurring in the lower legs and ankles. This makes the skin drier and itchier than normal, and sometimes ulcers may develop around the ankles. Basic care includes avoiding shoes or socks that are too tight, and applying a moisturizing lotion to itchy areas. You may choose a lotion containing urea to help moisturize the skin and reduce itching (Piti body lotion is rich in natural extracts and contains urea to increase skin moisture. It can maintain long-lasting moisture throughout the night, with roselle pod extract that helps boost the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid, and ceramides from yuzu orange that form a protective barrier against the external environment and help lock moisture into the skin). If there is a rash or wound, or if you have leg pain when walking continuously, you should see a doctor promptly for examination and treatment.
The third group involves changes commonly found in people with diabetes, partly due to insulin resistance from the disease itself. They can appear in several forms, but the most common is dark brown to black discoloration on the neck, armpits, and groin. Losing weight and controlling blood sugar well can help these dark patches fade.
In diabetic patients, if there is a red rash, wound, or any abnormality of the skin, they should see a doctor as soon as possible, because once an infection occurs, it can spread more easily than in the general population.
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