List of Skin Problems From Diabetes

Posted by Healthfitline On Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Since diabetes is associated with increased blood viscosity or blood thickness. The thickened blood compromises the transportation of nutrients needed for normal skin growth. Body cells are unable to receive adequate nutrition due to poor circulation leading to various skin disorder. Increased blood sugar also causes nerve injury.

Some of the skin problem from diabetes are; 

Skin Infections
The skin of a diabetic patient is more prone to getting infections due to poor circulation, with bacteria and fungi  been the most common cause of infections.  Infections from bacteria are more common on the lower parts of the body (the lower abdomen, lower buttocks and lower legs) and they appear as small pimples around the hair follicles. If blood sugar is not properly controlled, the infections take a longer time to heal.
 
Fungal infections are more common on moist areas such as; under breasts, upper thighs and on the axilla. Dermatophyte infections (Dermatophytes are fungi that cause hair, skin  and nail infections) are more scaly, dry and with minimal redness. Infections from candida (yeast) appears like beefy red with small pustules bordering the affected area and the skin appears moist.
 
Diabetic Dermopathy
Diabetic Dermopathy are shiny spots caused by the breakdown of the small blood vessels found under the skin, occuring in almost 50% of diabetic patients. The lesions are more common on the anterior part of the lower extremities (legs), on forearams, over bony prominence areas and on the thighs. Each spot usually starts as a small dull red bump and it gradually spreads to a bigger size, leaving a brown like scar once it heals.
 
Stasis Dermatitis
Stasis dermatitis is a common condition in diabetic patients due to venous insufficiency. Blood supply to the lower extremities is compromised hence the skin cannot receive adequate nutrients needed for proper growth. With time, the skin becomes dry, fragile, hyperpigmented and minor injuries heals very slowly. When this happens, ulceration may occur. 
 
Leg and Foot Ulcers
Since diabetes affects the peripheral nerve, diabetic patients are not sensitive to minor injuries especially on the lower extremities. An small infection may begin on the lower extremities and if no proper treatment is done on time, it may leads to ulceration. These kinds of ulceration may become non-responsive to treatment and may lead to diabetic foot and eventually to leg amputation. A major complication of diabetic foot.
 

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