Skin Conditions Associated with Diabetes

There are many different skin conditions associated with diabetes.

Diabetics can develop some of the same skin conditions that affect non-diabetics, but there are certain skin conditions that diabetics tend to get more often. A few of these conditions are diabetic dermapathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, and eruptive xanthmatosis.

Besides these long scientific names, simple bug bites and medicine can cause rashes, depressions, or even types of bumps on your skin when you are diabetic. If you have diabetes, it is important to check your skin for any signs of rashes or other problems daily.

Acanthosis Nigricans and Diabetic Blisters

Although acanthosis nigricans can affect anyone, it is fairly frequent in diabetics, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This skin disorder causes the skin to darken and thicken and develop brown or tan skin patches. Common places for it to form are on the neck, armpits, and groin. It can also appear on the hands, elbows, or knees, but this is not as common.

Diabetic blisters are another problem that can occur in diabetics. These usually occur on the hands, fingers, toes, feet, legs, or forearms. The good thing about these blisters is that they are painless, and they do disappear without treatment.

Other Skin Conditions

Many of the skin conditions that develop in diabetics can be avoided if your blood sugar level is kept under control. Diabetic dermopathy involves the small blood vessels that supply the skin with blood. When changes in the blood vessels occur due to diabetes, this skin disorder can cause scaly patches of brown or red on the front of the legs. There is no pain or itching associated with this problem, which is sometimes called skin spots.

Vitiligo is another type of skin condition that diabetics may develop. When it does develop, the pigment that provides color to the skin lightens. This is a condition that often affects people with type 1 diabetes.

Fungal infections can also happen. Diabetics can develop a yeast-like fungus that is called Candida albicans. It causes rashes that are very itchy. Little blisters and scales may be on the rash, which usually develops in the folds of the skin. Anti-fungal medicines plus topical steroids are usually prescribed for treatment.

Source: Cleveland Clinic