Dry Skin in People with Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder. If Diabetes is poorly controlled, the people are at risk for developing many complications, such as diabetic foot, diabetic kidney disease, nerve damage, cardiovascular diseases. And the complications of Diabetes are very harmful for human health. Skin ulcers, itching or dry skin are associated to multiple factors in people with Diabetes. Only if people know the inducing cause of dry skin, can them take effective preventive/treatment measures to control the symptom.

Why people with Diabetes experience dry skin? As we have known, Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar because the pancreas beta cells don’t produce insulin properly. Elevated blood glucose makes skin tissues in hyperosmotic state and cause cell dehydration. Long-term chronic dehydration can reduce sweat secretions and result in dry skin. In days when temperature changes from cold to hot, or the way cold, or if people eat spicy foods and drink alcohol, the skin itching will more likely to happen.

In addition, diabetes with persistent high blood glucose can reduce effective blood and nutrient supplement to peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerve inflammations can result in abnormal sensation changes and give rise to dry or itchy skin. The people often experience accompanying symptoms such as tingling, pinning, etc. Poor blood glucose control and such bad habits as alcohol and cigarettes can worsen nerve damage in Diabetics.

Skin disease in Diabetes may also occur in case of skin infections. People with Diabetes have high levels of glucose in their bloodstream. High sugar level will make a favorable environment for intrusion of molds. In daily life, taking care for good skin hygiene is important. Keep your skin moist, and remember not to scratch your skin because this may create tiny openings in the skin and worsen the condition.

Some easy steps may help to alleviate dry skin. Use some Moisture Lotion to help and you will remember not to use soap which will make the condition even worse. Supplement of vitamin E and vitamin C is also beneficial. Choose loose cotton clothes instead of wool or fiber made clothes so as not to irritate your skin. Keep your sheet dry and clean. Wash face with warm moderate temperature water and use soft towels. Those are some simple steps to improve the dry skin. Severe dry skin accompanied with skin ulcers will need to be treated properly under your doctor’s guidance so as stop the condition from worsening.