Doing so can help you avoid many diabetes skin problems. Do you know which one? Theyre generally 1 centimeter to 2.5 centimeters in size. Its common for them to develop on your shins. However, further assessment and management of diabetes and related complications may be required. White blood cells become less able to defend you against infections. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Discharge of fluid or pus. Currently, theres no known way to prevent diabetic dermopathy resulting from diabetes. What to Eat to Better Regulate Your Blood Sugar. The patches arent usually painful. Its common in people who have diabetes. We explain what insulin sizes mean, how to choose the correct size for, Singer Nick Jonas, who has type 1 diabetes, debuted a new blood glucose monitoring device during a Super Bowl television commercial, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Some skin conditions require medical attention for example, infections and ulcers require treatment to prevent them from becoming worse. A board-certified dermatologist can recognize skin problems due to diabetes and help you manage them. You may have developed these if youve had uncontrolled (or poorly controlled) diabetes for a long time. Also called shin spots, the lesions are not accompanied by other symptoms and do not cause pain. How To Manage Diabetes Skin Problems. If diabetes-related neuropathy leads to foot ulcers, symptoms to watch out for include: Any changes to the skin or toenails, including cuts, blisters, calluses or sores. Like DD, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) affects the skin on the legs. It was renamed in 1932 as necrobiosis lipoidica diabetica by E. Urbach. NLD occurs due to collagen degeneration and inflammation associated with the thickening of blood vessel walls and fat disposition. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Type 2 diabetes affects how your body uses glucose, or sugar. If you notice any of the following warning signs on your skin, its time to talk with your doctor. For example, it can damage blood vessels, leave you more prone to infections, and slow down wound healing. Atopic dermatitis on the chest. Lesions of diabetic dermopathy typically occur in patients with a longstanding history of diabetes, but occasionally they may present as the first sign of diabetes before a diagnosis is made. Is there a link, and what can you do to get rid of them? Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis. Decreased blood flow to the area surrounding an injury prevents a wound from healing properly, resulting in the development of bruise-like lesions or spots. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. 2022 Jan 1;45(Suppl 1):S97-S112. It feels like small cuts and is called "angular cheilitis.". An itchy rash and sometimes tiny blisters, dry scaly skin, or a white discharge that looks like cottage cheese Skin Problems Related to Diabetes - Skinsight If necessary, a physician will likely stress the importance of controlling blood sugar and reiterate that appropriate diabetes management will help improve lesions as quickly as possible. Be mindful that diabetes management doesnt only involve maintaining a healthy blood sugar. Diabetic Dermopathy: Treatment, Causes, and More - Verywell Health Skin Conditions - Skin Dehydration and Atherosclerosis - Diabetes People with diabetes are also more prone to bacterial and viral infections such as Candida albicans. Small, raised, red spots -- usually on your shins -- slowly grow into larger, flatter patches. Itching skin, also called pruritus, can have many causes, such as dry skin, poor blood flow, or a yeast infection. The affected joints may become harder to move. It often affects people with obesity and may go away if a person loses weight. Poor blood supply to the skin can cause changes in the collagen and fat underneath. Often causing darker skin in the creases of the neck, AN may be the first sign that someone has diabetes. Its typically asymptomatic, meaning it usually doesnt present any symptoms. Pictures of type 2 diabetes-related skin problems, following a varied, diabetes-friendly diet, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7475801/, dmsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13098-016-0176-y, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7733392/, Everything You Should Know About Diabetic Blisters, Everything You Need to Know About Acanthosis Nigricans. Pictures of 15 Uncommon Skin Conditions - WebMD Use this interactive graphic to learn how diabetes interrupts your bodys. Tell your doctor about the blisters. 6th ed, pp.716. Infection with the bacteria Staphylococcus, commonly known as staph infection, causes styes, boils, folliculitis, and even deep infection (cellulitis), and this type of infection is even more serious in those with poor control of their diabetes (such as in . The skin is itchy and painful They are most common in people older than 50 with a long history of diabetes. Brown, scar-like, slightly elevated lesions on the legs are typical in long-standing diabetics. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. AN also causes thickening of the skin. Diabetes-related nephropathy (damage to your. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine. It can also make your finger joints stiff. Inadequate circulation may cause itching in the lower legs. Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Skin tags can occur in people with diabetes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK481900/, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-your-skin.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431057/. M. Oppenheim first diagnosed the condition as dermatitis atrophicans lipoidica diabetic, as it was only observed in conjunction with diabetes patients. It typically affects the armpits, groin and neck. Steps you can take to manage your diabetes well include: Since many researchers think that diabetes-related dermopathy may be related to prior injuries to the affected area, wearing protective gear such as shin guards or thick, long socks when youre doing physical activities could help protect your shins from getting injured. For treatment, your doctor will help you get your blood sugar levels under control. Clinical significance of diabetic dermatopathy. Necrobiosis lipoidica: If youve had diabetes for a long time without good control of your blood sugar, you could develop this condition. Cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease. In: Kelly AP and Taylor S. Dermatology for Skin of Color. Characteristics of the diabetes-related dermopathy spots that develop on your skin include spots that are: The spots last for many months. Other skin changes, such as AN, can be a signal that blood sugar levels are too high. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Diabetes can make your skin more susceptible to infections such as boils. A clinical study of dermatoses in diabetes to establish its markers. The treatment is to bring . However, theyre less likely to develop on those areas. Proven in 7 studies. Dermopathy is often seen in those with retinopathy, neuropathy, and kidney issues. High blood sugar (glucose) can cause this. Diabetics face a variety of potential skin problems. Diabetes-related dermopathy is fairly common in people who have diabetes. It also seems to be more common in males, older adults, and those who have been living with diabetes for a longer period of time. Theyll then examine the size, color, shape and location of your spots to determine if it could be diabetes-related dermopathy. Diabetes-related dermopathy (often called "shin spots") is a fairly common skin condition that affects people who are living with diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Tell your doctor about the bumps because this skin condition appears when you have uncontrolled diabetes. Digital sclerosis: Due to poor blood flow, the skin on your toes, fingers, and hands becomes thick, waxy, and tight. It's more common with type 1 diabetes. Cutaneous Manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes. As old lesions begin to fade and clear up, new lesions often begin to form. Some non-drug remedies for diabetes-related skin problems are: Before using any natural or alternative remedies, consult your doctor. Controlling diabetes can clear the scaly patches. Fortunately, most can besuccessfully treated before they turn into a serious problem. Is there a link, and what can you do to get rid of them? Erin Davis, MS, RDN, CDCES, is a freelance medical writer and consultant who has over 15 years of clinical and community experience as a dietitian and diabetes educator. Healthy eating: The foods you eat impact your blood glucose levels. However, diabetes-related dermopathy can be a warning sign of diabetes complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. . Together, microvascular and macrovascular changes may be linked to nerve tissue damage because they can stiffen and narrow the arteries. As long as the sores don't break open, you won't need treatment for them. Other areas lesions can be found include: Even though lesions can be unpleasant to look at depending on the severity and the number of spots the condition is harmless. You may also need physical therapy. Dont be afraid to ask your provider for help and friends and family for support. It can be found on the sides or back of the neck, the armpits, under the breast, and groin. The treatment is to bring your blood sugar levels under control. However, it may result from damage to the nerves of the skin and damage to the small blood vessels that supply oxygen to the tissues. For example, you can use OTC antifungal cream to treat athletes foot. Neuropathy can impact sensation and healing in the skin. Want another reason to get your blood sugar levels under control and keep them that way? They may want to examine your skin to make sure you dont have a serious condition. These and other factors can lead to a range of skin problems. Timshina DK, et al. Diabetes-related dermopathy is usually asymptomatic, meaning it doesnt cause symptoms like pain or itching. Over time, high blood sugar can cause damage throughout your body. If diabetes has been poorly controlled for years, it can feel like you have pebbles in your fingertips. Diabetic dermopathy appears as pink to red or tan to dark brown patches, and it is most frequently found on the lower legs. Theyre also not contagious. High blood sugarin diabetes or before diagnosiscan lead to several skin problems. Find out why dark spots appear and what can fade them. Even though diabetes-related dermatology may have an unpleasant appearance, the condition itself doesnt harm your health. It may show up on the ears, hands, and torso. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). Diabetic blisters may show up on your hands, feet, legs, or arms. Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk More Than Previously Thought. Signs of feet issues include: swelling in your legs or feet tingling, pins and needles sensation in your feet loss of feeling in your feet or legs numbness in your toes sores that don't heal. Which skin conditions are linked to type 2 diabetes? - Medical News Today These infections can cause itchiness, redness, rashes, and small blisters. Ulcerations can occur following trauma, which may be associated with some pain. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about your medical history and your skin spots. Diabetes-related dermopathy could be a sign of other diabetes complications, and your provider may want to run certain tests to check your overall health. Fortunately, if recognized early, most skin problems can be effectively treated. The surrounding skin has a shiny porcelain-like appearance Sanches MM, Roda , Pimenta R, et al. For patients suffering from diabetic skin conditions, keeping their diabetes under control is the most important factor in preventing the development and worsening of skin-related diabetes complications.Maintaining control over blood glucose levels, using proper diabetic skin care, and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help reduce the risk . The legs are the most commonly affected site for NLD, but other body parts such as the face, abdomen, and scalp have been reported as affected areas. Acanthosis nigricans. The following picture gallery contains common examples of diabetic dermopathy: Even though diabetic dermopathy is common when youre living with diabetes, the exact cause of this condition is unknown. There are other steps you can take, including: Its important to protect your shins and legs since diabetic dermopathy tends to primarily affect those areas. Dark patches of skin with a thick, velvety texture characterize the condition. Talk with your doctor about the right ones to use. Diabetes-related neuropathy (damage to your nerves). Digital sclerosis may cause the skin on the back of the hands to become waxy, thick, and tight in appearance. Many researchers and healthcare providers think that diabetes-related dermopathy may be related to prior trauma to your skin from an injury or extreme heat or cold, especially if you have neuropathy, which is a type of nerve damage thats caused by chronic high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).