Diabetes and Skin Care
By editor | December 24, 2007
Skin care is most associated with the simple act of bathing. Surprisingly, there can be both too much and too little use of water. Soaking the body can lead to tissue breakdown, while lack of cleanliness can lead to local infections. Drink plenty of water unless told to do otherwise.
Poor blood-glucose control may increase or reveal such conditions as necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, a skin condition that looks much like scar tissue. Individuals with this problem often note that the scarred areas look more “angry” when their blood-glucose levels are higher. Other skin conditions associated with diabetes are also easier to notice with higher blood sugars. For example, xanthoma-a skin condition in which what looks like yellow pimples appear on the skin may appear. When these pimples are seen, elevated lipid levels (fat levels) are found in the blood. Lowering the blood-glucose levels causes a noticeable lowering of the lipid levels.
If there are frequent boils, carbuncles, or localized infections, high blood sugar and poor skin care should be noted. The sites should be cultured so that the appropriate medication may be given. Until the infections are under control, it is possible that there will be a greater need for insulin.
The need for more insulin may also be true for a yeast infection called candidiasis. Candidiasis may be found in the mouth, under the arms, under fatty folds of the skin, and in genital areas. Local and general medication (medication taken by mouth) may be prescribed. This infection occurs less frequently with lowered blood-glucose levels. If blood-glucose levels are not monitored, the person should suspect high blood-glucose levels the majority of the time if such conditions are noted.
When the blood-glucose levels are controlled, there is less chance that such skin and mouth conditions will occur. If diabetes control is accompanied with good skin hygiene, with bathing done on a daily or every-other-day basis, skin infections should be minimal or nonexistent. (Note: Older people in particular may have difficulty with dry skin conditions if bathing is frequent during the drier winter months.)
Tagged under:blood glucose levels blood sugars Diabetes diabetes control high blood glucose high blood sugar poor blood skin conditions skin hygiene
Topics: Diabetes |
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