The statistics of the World Health Organization indicate that 50% of cases of diabetes mellitus are not diagnosed by endocrinologists due to the lack of referrals of patients to start early treatment. This reason is fundamental for the high mortality rate of people from this pathology. Diabetes mellitus is an insidious disease that affects not one specific organ of the human body, but negatively affects the general process of life of all its systems.
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Causes of Diabetes Skin Problems
Diabetes is characterized by external changes in the skin. The reason for this is the deposition of excess glucose in the blood, which leads to damage to the walls of blood vessels, veins and capillaries. In the process of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, the nutrition of the epidermis decreases, and the skin loses its elasticity. Human skin is a powerful barrier that protects internal organs from the external environment. Normally, it contains a significant amount of liquid and is constantly in a wet state, since such an environment is needed for all vital processes. The loss of fluid by the skin due to diabetes mellitus causes it to dry out. Dry skin is as vulnerable as possible: it is prone to infection and rapid multiplication of any pathogenic microorganisms.
The main types of skin lesions in diabetes
Pathological conditions of the skin associated with diabetes mellitus are divided into 3 groups:
- Harbingers of the disease. These include itching, hardening of the skin on the feet, changes in the nail plates, yellowness and cracks.
- Allergic rashes. They arise against the background of ongoing therapy in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
- Complications that are caused by the complex course of the disease.
A skin pathology that has developed on the head for a long time and has not been treated leads to hair loss.
Dry skin
Elevated glucose levels cause excess urine to flow, causing significant fluid loss. The skin becomes dehydrated, dry and flaky. Membrane cells are destabilized, cellular metabolism is disrupted. The performance of the sweat and sebaceous glands decreases, itching and cracks appear, and the risk of infection increases. Dermatologists advise fighting dry skin in diabetes mellitus without the use of conventional cosmetics. Toilet soap is also unsuitable because it reduces the acidity of the skin, helping to reduce microbial resistance. The most sensible way to cleanse and moisturize the skin is with water lotions and cosmetic milk based on sage, chamomile and calendula. When caring for the skin, special attention should be paid to the legs, since diabetes mellitus significantly affects the vessels and nerve endings of the upper and lower extremities. During the disease, tissue nutrition is disturbed and their sensitivity is dulled.
Spots on the skin with diabetes
Red spots that can cover the human body are associated with metabolic disorders. When small blood vessels are damaged, epithelial cells do not receive nutrients, as a result of which angiopathy develops (the process of changing skin pigmentation). Fungal infections, germs and bacteria are the source of stains. They multiply in the human body due to weakened immunity, unable to resist pathogenic microscopic organisms. The appearance of white spots (vitiligo) is associated not only with diabetes mellitus, but also with insufficient adrenal function, thyroid diseases. This type of skin pathology is difficult to treat. Basically, drugs based on glucocorticosteroids are used.
Skin rash with diabetes
The rash appears for a number of reasons: due to vascular lesions against the background of hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels), due to the attachment of a microbial infection, with diseases of internal organs. Lipoid necrobiosis is manifested by a small rash on the body, which over time can transform into ulcers and trophic wounds. Treatment is carried out with local hormonal drugs and small doses of acetylsalicylic acid. Furunculosis is a cone-shaped purulent form of a rash, the vesicular formations of which, a week after the appearance, open up, separating the purulent contents outward. It occurs as a result of weakening of the immune system and the attachment of pathogenic microflora through abrasions and scratches. Diabetic pemphigus is autoimmune in nature. With the true form of pemphigus, small bubbles with transparent contents (sometimes with blood impurities) appear. This dangerous form of the disease is corrected for life with the help of hormonal agents, immunosuppressants and hepatoprotectors. The seborrheic form of diabetic pemphigus is identified by small vesicles with yellow or brown scales. Most often, they cover the head, chest, back or shoulders. Rashes of vegetative pemphigus appear near the mouth, under the arms, under the breast. The appearance of bubbles is accompanied by pain, nausea, and vomiting.
The condition of the skin depends on the timely treatment of diabetes mellitus and the correct insulin therapy.
Itching
Itching of the skin with diabetes mellitus is a consequence of disruptions in glucose metabolism. This is the most common cutaneous manifestation that accompanies the pathology. In some cases, too active skin care with the use of soaps, gels, scrubs, etc. leads to itching. The lack of neutral pH in these products violates the natural protection of the epidermis. Nerve endings are also damaged, which leads to itching. Therapy is reduced to the usual hygiene procedures, lowering blood sugar levels, following dietary prescriptions.
Dermatopathy
Incorrect or insufficiently active treatment of diabetes mellitus leads to the appearance of spots in the area of the front of the lower leg. Pathology is characterized by small oval brown spots, similar to pigmentation. The cause of dermatopathy is microangiopathy – damage to the capillaries. This pathology does not require treatment. Its development is not accompanied by painful manifestations, peeling and itching.
Fungal and infectious lesions
Infectious skin diseases include barley (inflammation of the cartilage in the eyelid), folliculitis (inflammation in the hair follicle), carbuncle (an infectious skin disease), damage to the nail plates. The most common fungal disease in diabetes mellitus is candidiasis. It appears on mucous surfaces and in the warmest and wettest places of the body – in the mouth, between the fingers, armpits, on the genitals, in the vagina. In addition to candidiasis, fungal lesions are expressed in the development of an inguinal hernia, ringworm, “athlete’s feet” (colorless peeling between the toes).
Calluses on the feet
The appearance of corns is provoked by the following factors:
- tight uncomfortable shoes;
- decreased sensitivity of nerve endings;
- violation of metabolic processes.
The painful sensations that accompany the formation of corns can be stopped with the help of antiseptics, antibacterial and wound healing ointments. In diabetes, this pathology often leads to the development of purulent processes.
Diabetes skin treatment
Any skin disease that is provoked by diabetes mellitus is treated conservatively. The basis of therapy is a decrease and stabilization of blood glucose levels, normalization of metabolic processes and an increase in immunity. In addition, drugs are additionally used to improve blood circulation and peripheral nerve function. Healing ointments, antibacterial agents and antiseptics are prescribed. Violation in the blood supply system, which is not subjected to timely therapy, leads to tissue necrosis and the development of gangrene. In this case, surgical intervention is used.
Taking medications often leads to the development of skin diseases. When the first signs of skin pathologies appear, you should consult with an endocrinologist for replacement drugs.
Prevention of epidermal lesions in diabetes
To avoid complications of diabetes mellitus associated with skin pathologies, you can use simple preventive manipulations:
- Regularly carry out body hygiene procedures using special cosmetics. Use soap with neutral pH only.
- Add decoctions from oak bark or string to the bathroom.
- After bath procedures, do not injure the skin with a towel when wiping. Excess moisture should be gently blotted.
- Thoroughly wash and dry the interdigital spaces along with the entire body.
- Rub medicinal decoctions based on birch buds into the skin to prevent and relieve inflammatory processes on the skin.
- Avoid injury to the skin by avoiding wounds, scratches and cracks.
- Wipe skin with fresh aloe juice to reduce and prevent rashes.
- Wear only cotton socks and underwear.
- Regularly examine the body for the development of skin pathologies.
- Change hygienic tampons every 3-4 hours.
- Avoid wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes.
- Do not take a bath with hot water.
- Follow the dietary prescriptions of an endocrinologist, avoiding foods containing simple carbohydrates in the diet.
- Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Consume at least 2 liters of water daily.
- Eat foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids to nourish your skin.
- Do not overcool or overheat.
- Avoid swimming in polluted waters.
- Timely consult a doctor at the slightest suspicion of the occurrence of skin diseases.