Skin Disorders and Diabetes

Skin disorders can affect people with diabetes of both types. Many people with both type 1 and 2 diabetes will have some type of skin disorder that is brought on by diabetes. Sometimes this is a signal you may have diabetes and not know it. Many of your skin conditions can be easily prevented or easily corrected if caught early.

Bacterial infection, fungal-type infections, or itching are of the most common types. Some of the most common are called styes. Styes are infections of the glands in the eyelid. Boils, or infections in the hair follicles are skin types of infection. The other type of deep infection deep inside the skin is carbuncles.



Tissues that are inflamed will usually be hot to the touch. There is also swelling and redness present, along with pain. Different organisms can cause infections. The most common ones are Staphylcoccus bacteria that is also called a staph infection.

At one point in our history, these bacterial infections of the skin were of a life-threatening nature. But today of course, antibiotics of all types are available to cure all types of serious skin complications.

Now fungal infections in those with diabetes are often referred to as Candida albicans. This is a yeast like fungus that creates itchy rashes in moist red areas that are usually surrounded by blisters and scales. These infections thrive in warm moist folds of the skin. These problematic parts of the body are usually around the nails, the breasts, and between fingers and toes. It can also come up in corners of the mouth, the groin, and armpits. The more common fungal infections are athlete's foot, ringworm, vaginal infections, and jock itch.

Skin disorders of itching are often brought on by diabetes. They are usually in the form of a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. If poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the legs. You can usually treat itching yourself. Limit how often you bathe. Use mild soap with a moisturizer and apply skin creams after bathing that are gentle.

Diabetic Dermopathy is a skin disorder that causes changes in the small blood vessels. Deropathy will usually look like light brown scaly patches. Many people think that these are age spots. This skin problem reflects itself in the front of your legs. The patches really are not painful, or will open up. There is also no itching. Dermopathy is not an emergency.

Atherosclerosis is a thickening of the arteries. It likes to get into the legs. People with diabetes tend to get this condition at younger ages. Atherosclerosis is very serious because it will narrow the blood vessels. The skin will change, become hairless, thin, cool, and also shiny. Your toes will be cold, and toenails discolor and thicken. Exercising causes pain in the calf muscles. The reason for this is that the muscles do not get enough oxygen.

Allergic skin reactions can occur sometimes from response to medications or insulins. If you think you are having some type of allergic skin reaction, it is best to talk to your doctor, and get treatment.

Treating your skin is another important part of your diabetes care and treatment. It is always best to practice preventive care before these types of complications set in. Talk to your doctor about what is best for your own skin care.

Skin care is vital for the health and well-being of the whole family. Visit Beautiful Family Skin for information on how this can be achieved.



Tissues that are inflamed will usually be hot to the touch. There is also swelling and redness present, along with pain. Different organisms can cause infections. The most common ones are Staphylcoccus bacteria that is also called a staph infection.

At one point in our history, these bacterial infections of the skin were of a life-threatening nature. But today of course, antibiotics of all types are available to cure all types of serious skin complications.

Now fungal infections in those with diabetes are often referred to as Candida albicans. This is a yeast like fungus that creates itchy rashes in moist red areas that are usually surrounded by blisters and scales. These infections thrive in warm moist folds of the skin. These problematic parts of the body are usually around the nails, the breasts, and between fingers and toes. It can also come up in corners of the mouth, the groin, and armpits. The more common fungal infections are athlete's foot, ringworm, vaginal infections, and jock itch.

Skin disorders of itching are often brought on by diabetes. They are usually in the form of a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. If poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the legs. You can usually treat itching yourself. Limit how often you bathe. Use mild soap with a moisturizer and apply skin creams after bathing that are gentle.

Diabetic Dermopathy is a skin disorder that causes changes in the small blood vessels. Deropathy will usually look like light brown scaly patches. Many people think that these are age spots. This skin problem reflects itself in the front of your legs. The patches really are not painful, or will open up. There is also no itching. Dermopathy is not an emergency.

Atherosclerosis is a thickening of the arteries. It likes to get into the legs. People with diabetes tend to get this condition at younger ages. Atherosclerosis is very serious because it will narrow the blood vessels. The skin will change, become hairless, thin, cool, and also shiny. Your toes will be cold, and toenails discolor and thicken. Exercising causes pain in the calf muscles. The reason for this is that the muscles do not get enough oxygen. Click here.

Skin disorders can affect people with diabetes of both types.

For information on diabetic dermopathy, go here.

Be aware of MRSA skin infections with diabetes. See this page for information.