Diabetes makes you more likely to get a wide range of skin problems. But you can do a lot to keep yourself and your skin healthy - from the inside out. These simple lifestyle tips will help.
- Sleep can impact the look and feel of your skin. You need to have at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night. Get into a wind down routine before bed. Try a cup of caffeine-free chamomile tea to help relax. Switch off any technology including mobiles, and spend time showering, cleansing skin and massaging in a rich facial o serum such as Diabetique Repair & Defend Serum, £25 along with Diabetique Skin Repair Body Cream, £25 so your skin looks radiant when you wake up.
- Alongside a consistent exercise routine that gets your heart pumping, include mindful exercise like yoga and Pilates. Meditation can also help you to distress and sleep longer and more deeply.
- Create a positive environment around you and have a positive mindset. Smiling or laughing can help override any stress response in the body.
- Get educated. One key to preventing problems is to understand what causes any skin reaction. Talk to your doctor. Learn about the complications, what your particular risks are, and how you can lower them.
- Control your diabetes If you already have skin problems you can stop them from getting worse. Strive for a healthy weight, eat right, cut back on salt, maintain a healthy blood pressure, and exercise.
- Check your skin daily. If you have diabetic nerve damage, which is called neuropathy, you could have an infected cut, scratch, or skin puncture and not know it. Don't let a small problem turn into a big one. Check your legs, ankles, feet, and in between your toes every day for new wounds or old ones that never seem to heal.
- Treat wounds and sores. Don't neglect them. If you find a nick, a scratch, a small cut, or anything that isn't healing or that worries you, talk to your doctor right away.
- Cover up. This simple first line of defence can help you avoid the cuts and scratches that can lead to infection. Whether you're gardening or walking the dog, cover your legs with long pants and your feet with flat, well-fitting shoes. To shield your skin from the cold or wind, cover your ears and face, including your nose, and wear a hat. Also, wear warm gloves and shoes or boots. Use lip balm to prevent chapped lips.
- Take 5 minutes out for a quick breathing exercise every day. . Take 5 slow, even deep breaths. As you inhale focus on areas where your muscles are feeling particularly tense. Then exhale slowly and work towards making them feel relaxed.
- A balanced routine is essential for your wellbeing and will have a good effect on your skin too so make sure you get plenty of relaxation and have some time to yourself to do the things you enjoy.
- Stay hydrated but don’t overdo the caffeine, which can leave skin feeling and looking tight and dry. Try some green tea for a boost of healthy antioxidants and eat foods that have a high-water content (fruits and veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, and celery are 80 to 90 per cent water).
- Processed and sugar heavy foods can worsen skin by causing inflammation so eat foods that can actually improve your complexion, like raw fruits and vegetables, thanks to their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. Some of the best foods for people with diabetes are high protein, low sugar options like avocados and fatty fish, such as salmon.Sardines, herring, anchovies, and mackerel, all great sources of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which have major benefits for heart health. Getting enough of these fats on a regular basis is especially important for people with diabetes, who have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies also show that eating fatty fish may also help regulate blood sugar. Other superfoods include leafy green vegetables such as Spinach, and kale, avocados, and chia seeds, which are extremely high in fibre, yet low in digestible carbs. Additionally, chia seeds have been shown to help reduce blood pressure and inflammatory markers.