Skin Disorders(including rash for diabetes sufferers)

People with diabetes can develop various skin disorders. People who develop skin rash should work with their doctor for proper treatment. 

Various skin disorders in diabetes are: 

Dry Skin.

Dryness may cause cracks in the skin through which germs make their home and spread infection. To prevent skin dryness, apply moisturizing lotions on the affected parts: hands, elbows, feet, and other parts of your body. (Moisturizing is different from moisture; moisture causes fungal infection, while moisturizing has a lubricating effect.) Try petroleum jelly or a cold cream to moisturize dry skin.

Itching.

Sometimes itching may be the first sign of diabetes in some people. Dry skin, fungal infections, and bacterial infections cause itching; which, however, will be relieved on treatment of the skin disorders. Moisturizing creams help reduce dryness of the skin and provide relief from itching. Anti allergy creams available over-the-counter can also relieve allergy related skin itching.

Fungal Infections.

Fungus flourishes in moisture. Fungal infections are usually found in moist areas of the body such as armpits, thighs, between the toes, or under the breasts. People with diabetes are at increased risk of getting these infections because fungus prospers in a sugary environment typically present in these people. Some of the most common fungal infections of the skin are:

Athlete’ s Foot.

This infection usually affects your skin between the toes, causing blisters, itching, scaling, and peeling of the skin. Blisters filled with fluid may also rupture, spreading infection to other parts of the foot. Athlete’s foot is a contagious infection.

Nail Infection.

The fungal infection can affect your fingers and toenails. Infection of the big toe is more common. The fungus enters the nail and damages the nail plate. As a result, the infected nail deforms and detaches from the toe.

Ringworms.

The ring-shaped red patches usually marked with raised outlines are called ringworms. Ringworms are caused by several different types of fungus, and can occur on any part of your body, including the scalp, groin, and beard.

To treat fungal infections, including athlete’s foot, nail infections, and ringworms, an anti-infection drug, namely, griseofulvin (brand names: Griss-Peg, Grisactin, Fulvicin P/G) can be helpful. 

This drug comes in the form of pills, capsules, and liquid. This drug is taken for several weeks to months for complete treatment of fungal infections. The usual course of treatment with griseofulvin is about 2 to 4 weeks for skin infections, 4 to 6 weeks for hair and scalp infections, 4 to 8 weeks for athlete’s foot, 3 to 4 months for fingernail infections, and at least 6 months for toenail infections.

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