When the body does not produce enough insulin to break down and use carbohydrates from food, blood glucose inevitably rises.
For diabetics, it is vital to control and regulate blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels in the body have many negative effects on the organs and nerves.
In addition, high blood sugar levels in diabetics also have a negative impact on skin health.
Skin manifestations of diabetes
People with diabetes often experience very dry, tight, and itchy skin.
The body tries to excrete excess glucose in the urine. With frequent urination, a large amount of fluid is released and the skin becomes dry.
Dehydrated skin is much more susceptible to infections, as bacteria can enter through microscopic dry cracks on the surface of the skin.
High blood sugar also damages the nerves in the skin. Minor injuries are felt by patients only later or are not felt at all. Sometimes severe inflammation of the skin and underlying tissues develops, such as a diabetic foot.
Lack of insulin inhibits the normal growth of skin layers, making it difficult for wounds to heal.
All these factors contribute to the fact that diabetics have vulnerable skin that requires special care.
For dry skin, daily hydration is essential. Chronically dry skin, prone to inflammation, requires special care. Many people with diabetes have dry, itchy ulcers.
When the skin tightens from dryness and the itching becomes unbearable, patients injure the place and rashes appear. Bacteria and other pathogens can enter the damaged skin barrier and cause infection.
Instead of succumbing to itching, it is recommended to apply skin care creams. Patients with diabetes should use moisturizing creams. It is important that creams contain vitamin E and substances that help maintain the natural moisture of the skin, such as jojoba oil.
Skin creams are preferably fragrance-free and it is very important that they do not contain irritating chemicals that can exacerbate the problem, so certified organic products should always be chosen.
Patients with sensitive and dry skin, including those with diabetes, should not spend too much time in the shower or bath. It is well known that excessive showering or bathing dries out the skin.
A long shower removes some of the fatty layers of the skin that protects it from external pollutants and pathogens.
Patients with diabetes should shower or bath for short periods, use neutral pH shower gels, and use moisturizing skin care products after each shower or bath.
Since the skin of diabetic patients is drier, it is easier for foot and nail fungus to penetrate the skin barrier.
That is why patients with diabetes should pay special attention to regular foot care procedures.
This includes:
- Short daily foot baths
- pH neutral foot care lotions
- Thoroughly dry the spaces between the toes, where bacteria and fungi easily multiply due to the humid environment.
This susceptibility of patients to fungal skin infections means that, especially during the summer swimming season in both indoor and outdoor pools, there is an increased risk of infection and infection.
It is important to wear flip-flops when visiting public pools and showers so that bacteria, viruses, and fungi cannot enter through the skin.
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