Diabetic Skin Problems

The following are skin problems that happen mostly or only with people with diabetes,
many of them are very rare.

                                        DERMOPATHY OF DIABETES

This condition is caused by diabetes related changed in the small blood vessels.

Dermopathy often looks like light brown, scaly patches, which may be oval or circular.
Some people mistake them for age spots. They most often occur on the front of both
legs. But each leg may not be affected to the same degree. The patches do not hurt,
open up, or itch. The condition is harmless and does not need treatment.

                   NECROBIOSIS LIPOIDICA DIABETICORUM (NLD)

This is similar to dermopathy of diabetes. However the spots are fewer but larger and
deeper.

NLD often starts as a dull red raised area. After a while, it looks like a shiny scar with a
violet border. The blood vessels under the skin may become easier to see. Sometimes
NLD is itchy and painful. Sometimes the spots crack open.

NLD is rare, Adult women are the most likely to get it. As long as the sores do not open,
you don't need treatment. If you do get open sores, see your doctor for treatment.

                                              ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Thickening of the arteries narrows them and affects the skin on the legs. People with
diabetes tend to get atherosclerosis at younger ages that other people do.

Thickened blood vessels have less blood flowing through them. Atherosclerosis causes
the skin to become hairless, cool and shiny. The toes become cold. Toenails thicken and
discolor, and exercise cause pain in the calf muscles because they are not getting
enough oxygen.

Because blood carries the infection fighting white cells, affected legs heal slowly if the
skin is injured (less blood flowing through blood vessels means fewer while cells are
getting to where they are needed). Even minor scrapes can result in open sores that heal
slowly.

If you have lower limb or foot neuropathy (nerve damage) as well as atherosclerosis, you
are more at risk of developing injuries that don't heal on your legs and feet. If you can't
feel a part of your body its more probably to get injured.

                    BLISTERS OF DIABETES (BULLOSIS DIABETICORUM)

Blisters of diabetes can occur on backs of fingers hands, toes, feet, and sometimes on
legs, or forearms. Fortunately it’s extremely rare.

They look like sun blisters. They sometimes are large, but are painless and have not
redness around them. They heal by themselves, usually with out a scar, in about three
weeks. They often occur in people who have diabetic neuropathy. The only treatment is
to achieve healthier blood glucose levels if you BG's are high. You should see you
doctor quickly if they happen as they can to get infected.

                                   ERUPTIVE XANTHOMATOSIS

This condition is usually covered by long term high BG's It consists of firm, yellow, pea
like enlargements in the shin. Each bump has a red halo and may itch. This condition
occurs most often on the back of the hands, feet, arms, toes and buttocks.

The condition usually occurs in young men with type 1 diabetes especially if they have
high levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood. Like blisters of diabetes, these bumps
usually disappears when BG"S and cholesterol levels are in a more healthy range.

                                              DIGITAL SCLEROSIS

Sometimes people with diabetes develop tight, thick, waxy skin on the backs of their
hands. Sometimes skin on the toes and forehead also becomes thick. The finger joints
become stiff and can no longer move the way they should. Rarely knees, ankles, or
elbows also get stiff. This condition happens to about a third of people who have type 1.
It can improve when BG's are in a healthy range.