Is Diabetes Causing Your Skin Problems?
It's estimated that there are over 4.8 million people living with diabetes in the UK, but many sufferers are unaware of the skin-related issues this disease can cause. Many people with diabetes may not even think about how their skin is affected or may not even know that there is an overlap between diabetes and their skin problems. In fact, sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes is a skin issue. It can also make existing skin problems worse.
Among the most common diabetes skin symptoms are itching caused by dryness and poor circulation, patches of scaly skin on the legs and skin rashes.
It is important to see your doctor or dermatologist if you experience unexpected skin changes of any kind, however, a good daily skincare routine is a crucial part of managing the troublesome skin conditions. Caring for your skin isn’t a luxury, but a true necessity. There are also some easy things you can do at home to help keep your skin healthy.
Skin Care Tips:
- Moisturise daily. People with high glucose levels tend to have dry skin. When your blood sugar is high, your body draws water away from the skin and organs to dilute your blood and lower your glucose levels. Dry skin can be itchy and irritating and if left untreated it can lead to painful cracking and harmful skin infections. Always use a rich daily moisturiser morning and evening on your face and body. The best time is right after a shower or bath when skin is still moist. Apply throughout the day too or when skin feels dry or itchy. Keeping your skin moisturized combats dryness and improves its flexibility to prevent cracking. Don’t forget to moisturise your feet, hands, and elbows too.
- Cleanse skin thoroughly, twice a day using a gentle fragrance-free cleanser, or a product designed for diabetes to clean your skin with care.
- Avoid hot baths and showers, which can strip the skin of moisture. Take short, lukewarm showers or baths and use mild soaps and shampoos when you wash. Skip deodorant or scented bubble baths, which can be harsh on sensitive skin.
- Avoid using harsh ingredients on your skin, which can exacerbate skin problems and damage an already sensitive skin barrier. The exact ingredients that can cause a reaction will vary from person to person, but generally avoid common irritants including alcohol, fragrance, sulphates, dyes, and preservatives. Avoid using active acids, like salicylic and glycolic acid as these remove the top layers of skin. Beware of labels that say ‘Unscented ‘as they may still contain fragrances - look for products that say ‘Fragrance free, instead. Use ingredients that retain moisture and soothe the skin like Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Aloe Vera, Green Tea, and Chamomile.
- Check your skin daily so any changes don’t go unnoticed. Don’t forget to between your toes, the soles of your feet, and under your arms. If you notice anything or develop an infection, see your doctor immediately. Even small scratches
- Regular exercise is also crucial as this enhances circulation – studies suggest it can improve circulation and the health of the blood vessels by 20 per cent. Regular bursts of relatively intensive aerobic exercise are more beneficial than prolonged episodes every so often.
- If you already have skin problems, you can stop them from getting worse with a good skincare routine. If you have diabetic nerve damage, which is called neuropathy CBD Neuropathy Hand & Body Serum 30ml £45.00 (this can be purchased at the clinic) has a superhero line up of ingredients with a 1% CBD Oil infused in it, that has been known to provide relief for diabetic neuropathy and is full of powerful antioxidants. Argan oil improves the skin's barrier and overall texture, while the lavender has anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe along with the peppermint oil, also providing the epidermis with optimum environment to thrive. A common problem for diabetics is skin healing time and with avocado oil in this serum it benefits the user with accelerated wound repair time.
- Don't let a small problem turn into a big one. Be aware of your body. Check your legs, ankles, feet, and in between your toes every day for new wounds or old ones that never seem to heal.
Our Skin and Signs of Diabetes:
- Dryness
- Itching
- Dark, discoloured patches
- Rashes
- Blisters
- Sores
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Thickened skin