As of: January 29, 2024, 8:30 p.m
By: Jasmina Deshmeh
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Skin changes and diabetes are related: they can be a signal that diabetes has developed or can be a reaction to diabetes therapy.
Our skin and the “diabetes disease” diabetes are closely related.
The information varies, but experts assume that 50 to 80 percent of those affected by diabetes also experience pathological skin changes, as the
German Diabetes Society (DDG)
reports.
Over 50 skin diseases have so far been linked to the metabolic disease - they can indicate a lack of therapy, be warning signs of an emergency or be signs of undetected type 2 diabetes.
Why do diabetes cause skin diseases?
Fungal infections of the skin with severe itching can be a warning sign of the metabolic disease diabetes (symbolic image).
© Zoonar/Imago
It is not entirely clear why diabetics are more likely to develop skin diseases.
However, experts assume that they arise primarily from long-term high levels of sugar in the body or as a side effect of diabetes medication.
High blood sugar can trigger various metabolic processes, which in turn lead to disruptions in the skin cells and connective tissue.
Elevated blood fat levels and high uric acid levels, a common problem with type 2 diabetes, are further risk factors for skin changes.
In addition, diabetes medications, like all other medications, can trigger allergic skin reactions, which are manifested by the following symptoms:
Skin redness
Wheals (so-called urticaria or hives)
itching
in the worst case: anaphylactic shock
Fungal and bacterial infections
Due to glucose deposits in the skin and the weakened immune system in diabetes, the function of the skin barrier weakens and bacteria and fungi can penetrate and multiply more easily.
Actually harmless inhabitants of the human body such as the yeast
Candida albicans
then spread excessively and can cause dangerous fungal infections with skin inflammation in the mouth, intimate area or skin folds (e.g. the armpits).
Typical symptoms of Candida infections include itching, weeping and burning skin.
If filamentous fungi are the trigger, the skin develops open areas with whitish edges, usually on the feet (athlete's foot).
The toenails are often also affected (diabetic foot): they thicken, become stained, become brittle and cracked.
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Superficial bacterial skin inflammations are usually caused by corynebacteria.
According to the German Diabetes Aid,
the so-called dwarf lichen with red-brown, scaly areas can be
observed wherever the body produces a lot of sweat, for example in the groin area and under the armpits.
According to the
German Skin and Allergy Aid (DHA),
streptococci are usually the cause of deeper bacterial skin infections.
They actually pose no threat to a healthy immune system. However, if the immune system is weakened, they can enter the body through small injuries such as torn mud corners or spaces between the toes and multiply there quickly.
Signals for a streptococcal infection (the so-called erysipelas) are:
sharply defined red patches of skin that spread quickly
swollen lymph nodes
Fever, chills, fatigue
Brownish spots on shins
The most common skin changes in diabetes include brownish, scar-like, round pigment spots (diabetic dermopathy).
They usually occur on the front shin, forearms or feet and can be the first sign of unrecognized diabetes, as expert Professor Dr.
med.
Claudia Pföhler (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology at Saarland University Hospital)
explained to the specialist portal
diabetologie-online .
Anyone who observes such spots should have their blood sugar checked by a doctor.
Once the diabetes is controlled, the spots disappear again.
The right care for diabetic skin
How skin changes in diabetes are treated depends on the respective causes.
With the right skin care, diabetics can do a lot to prevent disease-related skin diseases.
According to DDG experts,
moisturizing creams with ingredients such as glycerin, panthenol, witch hazel, aloe vera, vitamin E and urea
are suitable for this .
Heat and cold place additional strain on affected skin and should be avoided.
Specifically, this means, for example, not showering or bathing for too long or too hot.
Soap degreases the skin and should only be used sparingly.
In addition to the right skin care, well-controlled blood sugar and good management of blood fat levels and uric acid help to reduce the risk of skin and tissue damage.
Since the foot is often the “port of entry” for bacteria and other pathogens in diabetes, it should be checked regularly for wounds and small injuries.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.