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Type 1 Diabetes: Skin

skin issues

Nerve and blood vessel damage and dehydration from chronic high blood glucose can cause dry skin problems in people with diabetes. Dry, cracked skin is a potential breeding ground for infection. Staying well-moisturized (both inside and out) and using mild soaps and other gentle skin care products is your best bet for healthy skin. One caveat to moisturizing: make sure that areas such as underarms, groin, and between the toes stay dry to prevent fungal infections.

Other skin conditions associated with diabetes include:

  • Acanthosis nigricans (A-kan-THO-sis NIH-grih-kans) - velvety, light-brown-to-black markings
  • Bullosis diabeticorum (BULL-OH-sis DY-uh-bet-ih-KOR-um) - blisters
  • Diabetic dermopathy - light brown scaly patches
  • Eruptive xanthomatosis (EE-rup-tive zan-thO-mat-Osis) - small yellow bumps ringed with red
  • Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum (NEK-roh-by-OH-sis lih-POY-dik-ah DY-uh-bet-ih-KOR-um) - lower leg rash; shiny red with yellow in center

    Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 4/08

    • Last Modified Date: March 24, 2009


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