Four Ways Diabetes Affects Your Skin
May 30, 2023
Diabetes is a whole body issue. It affects many systems in our bodies and skin is one of those systems.
First is acanthosis nigricans. This is where you develop a dark patch or band around the neck, in the armpits, on the groin. This darkened skin is usually from either too much insulin or high blood sugar.
Second is skin infections. People who have diabetes that is not well controlled often have skin infections. Why is that? When you have a lot of sugar in your blood, you'll likely have some Candida, a fungal infection caused by a yeast. The skin may be hot, swollen and an itchy, painful rash. Sometimes you’ll see tiny blisters. This can occur between your toes, around nails, on scalp and under breasts.
Third is poor wound healing. Because diabetes leads to poor wound healing, it takes longer for wounds to heal. You may develop diabetic ulcers which usually occur on the bottom of your feet because of poor circulation and the pressure or weight of the body on the feet. You might not feel that pain because of nerve damage. The more you walk on it, without treatment, the more likely it will become an ulcer and that ulcer will get bigger and deeper. Check your feet all the time, using a mirror to see the bottoms. Once those ulcers start, they're very difficult to treat.
Fourth is skin tags. Many of us have skin tags here or there. They are harmless but numerous skin tags could be a sign of pre-diabetes, diabetes and either high levels of insulin or blood sugars. These might show up around eyelids, in armpits and the groin.
What can you do?
- See your doctor, have some blood work done and see where you stand. Do you have high blood sugar or pre-diabetes or are you in the diabetic range?
- If you have sores on the bottom of your feet, have them taken care of as soon as possible. Every time you get out of the shower or the bathtub in the morning, take a mirror and look at the bottom of your feet. Stay on top of the health of your feet.
- Finally, the most important thing is get your blood sugar levels stable. This is the key to all the diabetic systemic problems that you might have.
Dr Elaine
Download my free 30 Day Guide to Manage or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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