When your pancreas produces very little insulin or none at all, or your body doesn’t respond to insulin appropriately, you have diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition that cannot be cured. It can only be controlled and kept under control, but it will last a lifetime.
Diabetes has many consequences. For example, if you have a sweet tooth, you may not be able to eat your favorite foods. You might also pee more, feel thirstier, and slowly heal if injured or cut. Lack of hydration can also cause your skin to dry out. Water (or liquids) is what hydrates your body. If you have diabetes, your body will use fluids for pee production, and there won’t be enough moisture to do other things. Dehydration can cause your skin to feel itchy and dry. You could also be more susceptible to injury or infection. And, of course, it will take longer for you to heal. Here are some tips on how to take care of your skin while you’re dealing with diabetes.
Dry skin can crack, itch, and become infected. Here are some tips on how to prevent dry skin.
- Keep your skin clean and dry, but not too much. Talcum powder is a good option.
- Use mild soaps and shampoos, and take only short showers or baths. Avoid using scented cleansers or deodorants, as they can be harsh on sensitive skin.
- If your skin is dehydrated, moisturize regularly. After a shower or bath, moisturize your skin while it is still damp. Keep a mild moisturizer on hand if your skin is dehydrated.
- Patting your skin gently will help to dry it. It is not a good idea to rub sensitive skin in a hurry. Attention should be paid to the underarms and under breasts as well as between legs and toes.
- Skin care is essential to prevent diabetic complications. Do not hesitate to consult your dermatologist or doctor if you are concerned about a bruise, rash, or cut.
- Avoid dehydration by drinking water or sugar-free drinks.
- Omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods are good for your skin. Fish such as salmon and sardines, as well as albacore and mackerel, as well as soybeans, flaxseed, and walnut oils, are omega-3 rich.
- To prevent problems, educating yourself and understanding their causes is essential. Please speak to your doctor about your concerns and risks and how to avoid or reduce them.
What can you do to control diabetes?
You can control diabetes and stay healthy by making a few changes to your lifestyle. You can (and should) keep your blood sugar levels within normal ranges (which you may discuss with your physician). You can stop skin problems from worsening if you already have them. If you already have skin problems, you can prevent them from worsening.
You should take extra care if your condition is diabetic neuropathy. You may have an infected cut, scratch, or puncture on your skin. Do not let a minor problem become a big one. Be aware of what your body is telling you. Check your legs, ankles, feet, and between your toes daily for any injuries or old wounds which are not healing or never seem to heal.
If you have diabetes, knowing how to deal with minor injuries and sores is essential. Ignoring a cut or bruise can be dangerous. Speak to your doctor if you notice a nick or a small scratch or cut hasn’t healed in a few days.
Covering up correctly is a simple way to avoid unwanted cuts and scratches. Minor injuries can cause infection. Wear long pants or shoes that fit well and cover your legs when gardening or walking the dog.
Create a first-aid kit for your skin.
Keeping a first aid kit on hand for your feet and hands is essential. The kit should include antibacterial ointment and gauze pads. It can also contain tapes such as paper or hypoallergenic or doctor tapes or prepackaged cleaning wipes when soap and water are unavailable.
How to treat blisters
The first thing to remember is that you should never break or pop a blister. This is because the skin covering the blister will protect it from infection.
Apply antibacterial cream to the blister and gently wash it with mild soap. Cover it with a cloth bandage or gauze pad (ensure it is spotless). Use paper or doctor’s tape to secure it.
Change the bandage every day. Wear a new pair of shoes until the blister heals if it is on your feet and caused by your shoes.
How to care for minor cuts
Wash the area gently and with warm water and mild soap. Cover the cut with gauze or a bandage and apply an antibacterial ointment. Cover the amount with doctor’s tape or paper to prevent further infection. Remember to replace the application every day until your cut has healed.
Minor skin problems like rashes: How to treat them
Don’t worry if you get a rash. Wash the affected area with mild soap and warm water, not hot water. Pat (don’t rub!) it dry. Cover the skin irritation with a gauze or cloth bandage if you feel that it could become infected. Tape it up.
Keep an eye on the area to prevent it from worsening or expanding. Change the gauze daily to avoid any further damage caused by dirty gauze.
Minor Burns: How to Care for Them
Don’t panic if you accidentally burn yourself on a hot pan or with a splash of oil. Run cool, clean water over the burned area to soothe it. Do not break or pop any blisters that appear on the skin. Instead, run water over them.
Apply a burn cream to the burned skin. Cover it lightly with a piece of gauze. Be careful not to apply too much pressure when covering the wound. Secure the damage using paper or doctor’s tape. Remember to reapply and change the ointment daily until your injury begins healing.
Stop surfing the web and go to the nearest medical professional if the intensity of the burn is excessive.
Frostbite: What to do?
Call for immediate medical attention if you experience frostbite. Warm (not hot) water (98-104 F) can warm the skin while you wait for medical assistance. Avoid rubbing the affected area or applying creams. Avoid applying pressure to the frostbitten area of your body. For example, do not walk on the affected leg or use the affected arm.
You should consult your doctor if you see any warning signs on your skin.
Skin Infections
Diabetes is a risk factor for skin infections. You may notice that you have a skin condition that is itchy, painful, and swollen. There could also be blisters, dry, scaly, or white discharges that look like cottage cheese.
Skin infections can affect any part of the body, including around your nails, toes, and scalp.
You may have reddish, yellow, or brown skin patches.
These bumps can look like small pimples at first. These bumps become stiff, swollen patches as they progress. These patches may be reddish or yellow. The skin around the spots could have a porcelain-like shine; you might also notice blood vessels. It may be painful and itchy. This skin condition cycles of being active, then inactive, and finally operational. The medical name for this condition is called necrobiosis episodic.
Darker area of skin that feels like velvet
You may have too much insulin if you notice a dark band (or patch) of velvety-looking skin under your armpits, groin, or neck. This is a common sign of pre-diabetes, so you should get checked by a doctor. This skin condition is called acanthosis.
Hard or Thick Skin
Check yourself if you notice thick, complex, or strange skin on your toes, fingers (or both). It could be a sign/symptom of diabetes. This condition is medically known as digital Sclerosis.