Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabetes Skin Disorder

Necrobiosis Lipoidica is a skin disorder seen mostly in a diabetic. This skin disorder shows itself with red-brown papules and will usually turn into yellowish-brown plaques with central atrophy. It is usually on the lower extremeties. It is not as common for this skin problem to occur in the upper extremeties, meaning the face and scalp.

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a type of chronic dermatitis that is associated with Type 1 diabetes. It can happen in type 2 cases, but more rarely. Unless the lesions are really ulcerated, they are not symptomatic. This skin disorder usually happens between ages 30-40, but that doesn't mean it cannot happen at any age. It seems to appear more frequently in females than in males. It seems that there is really no relation to a person's blood sugar control and the chances of developing this problem. But I've read that diabetic people have much higher chances of getting this problem.

Collagen and this ulcerative skin problem has seemed to show a connection to this problem. Diabetics have collagen problems in some complications such as trigger finger and frozen shoulder problems. As of yet, there is no treatment that can really clear up this problem, but topical glucocorticoids for the earlier lesions on the skin have been shown to help. Systemic cyclosporine has been another favorable treatment as well as using aspirin therapies.