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The Question
09/14/09 03:17 PM

"I have very dry skin and sticking myself for a BG is not only painful but causes my skin to crack open and bleed. Is there something else. "
Asked By: aweetha  
Category: Newly Diagnosed

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Expert Answers (1)

09/16/09 09:08 AM

Dry skin can be the result of poorly controlled blood sugar over time. Another reason for good blood sugar control. Also I recommend daily application of a good lotion (no alcohol in the ingredients). Regarding your BG testing - most meters are approved for alternate site testing - you can use the palm of your hand or forearm to give your fingers a rest. Do not use these sites if you think you are having a low Blood sugar. Review your meter literature for accurate technique at these sites or see your educator in your dr's office. Also if using your fingers - use soap & water - not alcohol pads to clean. The alcohol is very drying to the skin. I also recommend using a "finger lotion" with tea tree oil. It is a natural antibiotic and helps lessen sore fingers. I hope trying some of these recommendations will ease your problems. Monitoring your blood sugar regularly is very important!
Answered By: Beth McKinzie
Accreditations: RN, BSN, CDE
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Community Answers (3)

09/18/09 01:47 PM

I to suffer from very dry skin and my hands peel and also crack. I use Zims Crack Cream. I found this in the pharmacy section of Walmart. If I apply this once daily my problem disappears
Answered By: baddboy
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09/18/09 12:17 PM

Thank you all so very much for your input. I would like to say my thyroid is controlled and I have been keeping my blood sugar at 97 before and 104 two hours after. My skin condition is genetic, enzyme deficiency is what they tell me and my family. We have all suffered with it. I too have tried all sorts of products, expensive etc. and the best I have found is the Walgreen brand in the tub. Half the cost and I have so much better luck with it than the cetaphil or eucerin. I am not trying to promote the product and have no affiliation with the company other than consumer. I have not been reimbursed for my statement only telling my experience. I did buy the Tea Tree Oil and although the smell is about to kill me and my pets LOL!!!! it appears to work pretty well at softening dry skin. Thank you for that tip.
Answered By: aweetha
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09/18/09 11:57 AM

I agree wholeheartedly that the very dry skin is likely a symptom of something else such as high blood sugar or hypothyroidism (a common co-disease of diabetics), etc.. Therefore, it is very important to tighten blood sugar control and have your thyroid tested. Recommended target ranges for thyroids cause as much argument as A1Cs by the way - the lower the better! I really have problems higher than a TSH of 3 even though it's in the "recommended target range." My A1C is consistently 5.1. Also, I don't use alcohol for injections and haven't in more than 30 years. I have never had a problem though nurses might freak at the thought. Finally ... because I also have skin allergies, includling to some expensive skin moisturizers recommended for diabetics. The only one that seems to do any good and doesn't cause me to itch and blow up is Cetaphil (the tub). It's a bit expensive but I try to buy it on sale. I used one product last winter for three months and kept getting worse. It was really annoying. I decided to go back to the Cetaphil and improved within a few days. Hmmm ... what be using that product again! Good luck.
Answered By: joinem
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