Skin Sufferings
The skin in diabetes
People with poorly controlled diabetes are prone to skin
infections because elevated blood sugar reduces the effectiveness
of bacteria-fighting cells. A significant number of people
with diabetes will have a skin disorder caused or affected
by diabetes at some time in their lives.
In most cases, good hygiene (clean skin) and good diabetic
control will improve the body's ability to resist infection.
Sometimes, however, antibiotics are necessary.
Skin problems that diabetics may have
Persons with diabetes are more prone to common skin infections
and problems than non-diabetics,these include include bacterial
infections, fungal infections, and itching.a few other skin
problems like diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum,
diabetic blisters, and eruptive xanthomatosis occur specifically
in diabetics.
In detail
Fungal(yeast)infections
Those with poorly controlled diabetes may suffer fungal
infections in the underarms and especially in the genital-anal
area. Women sometimes suffer from severe vaginal itch or a
rash under the breasts.other affected areas include the region
around the nails, between fingers and toes, in the corners
of the mouth, under the foreskin (in uncircumcised men) The
most common fungal infection, candidiasis (moniliasis) produces
an intense itch and a cheesy-white discharge.
Bacterial infections
Infected areas are usually hot, swollen, red, and painful.
Several different organisms can cause infections. The most
common ones are the staph (Staphylococcus) bacteria.bacterial
infections may manifest themselves as styes,an infection of
the glands of the eyelid. other kinds of infection are boils(infections
of the hair follicles) and Carbuncles ( deep infections of
the skin and the underlying tissue ).
Diabetic dermopathy
Diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels. These
changes can cause skin problems called diabetic dermopathy.these
are light brown scaly patches which appear on the feet.
Allergic Reactions
Though not per-se linked to the disease,allergic skin reactions
can occur to medicines, such as insulin or pills taken for
diabetes. these manifest themselves as rashes, depressions,
or bumps at the sites where insulin is injected.
Diabetic Blisters
These look like burn blisters ,and are usually seen in those
suffering from diabetic neuropathy .They occur on the backs
of fingers, hands, toes, feet, and sometimes, on legs or forearms.These
heal without any treatment in a few weeks time.
|
