All That You Need To Know About Diabetes And Your Skin: Take Care Every Day

Problems Faced By People With Diabetes

Struggling to lift a heavy wooden desk out of her car was Karen Murphy and the desk did exactly that she had hoped it wouldn’t: crashing right onto her big toe. 

It wouldn’t have been good for anyone as the injury came to be. The stakes were even higher whereas for Murphy a nurse who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes just 3 months before. 

Prone to skin problems are people with diabetes. It can explode into serious issues when it comes to cuts, scrapes, and common infections like athlete’s foot. 

It is said by Erin Kelly, a diabetes nurse educator at the Joslin Diabetes Centre in Boston that it is a double whammy often. Diabetes can cause nerve damage called neuropathy along with a higher chance of skin issues. When something is wrong with their skin, so people may not feel anything. 

Meaning blood can’t get healing nutrients to the area, they may also have circulation problems. 

Already stressing the importance of skincare were Murphy’s doctors.

Thereafter it spurred her to see one right away. 

She further explains that she put things off in the past. As she thought it isn’t a big deal until it then turns into a big deal. Whereas now, it is a big deal if something ever happens with her skin or wounds or feet now. 

Making sure to take careful care of her skin every day, Murphy, now 46 had no lasting damage from the accident. To prevent damage from diabetes, here’s what you can do. 

Moisturize

You are more likely to get dry skin if you have diabetes. Letting bacteria get inside and cause infection are these cuts and cracks. To prevent this, moisturising is an easy way. 

Although putting cream or lotion on your whole body after a shower is a good start, there’s no hard and fast rule for how often to do it. Kelly then says, as more pores are open your skin is more willing. 

Do try to keep it simple as you don’t need any special products for diabetes. 

As Kelly advises, from products that have a lot of chemicals in them, stay away. Even more, they can dry your skin. Go for hypoallergenic products instead. 

Humidifying your home during the winter and drinking plenty of water every day are other ways to moisturise. Relieving chapped lips is a lip balm. 

Pay Attention to Your Feet

As those are the extremities of the body, the first place you find neuropathy are the feet and hands according to Sandra Barnaby, a chronic disease nurse manager at Montefiore Care Management Organization in New York City. For sores, blisters or cuts be sure to check them every day. You can treat them before they get worse in this way. 

Especially after a shower and before you put on socks that should also be dry, make sure the spaces in between your toes are dry. Between your toes, don’t moisturise. 

As Kelly explains, a hot spot for bacteria growth and infection is any moisture. 

Like between and under your breasts, between your legs, and under your arms, you should also keep dry other places where water can gather. 

Barnaby further states, as it leads to fungal infections, that’s where you don’t put moisturiser. 

One way to keep areas dry is corn starch powder. 

As Murphy does to prevent moisture build-up, you can also change your socks during the day. 

Take Care Of Your Nails And Cuticles

Keep your nails straight and smooth so they can’t catch on anything and tear including them in the daily moisturising routine. 

Stay away from cutting your cuticles. This can leave the space for fungus adding bacteria to invade. Thereafter you should resist the temptation to get a pedicure. 

Then Kelly further explains, if you have neuropathy it can be tricky. In the event of the risk of infection, you should avoid getting treatment from anyone other than a podiatrist. 

Avoid Hot Water

Drying out your skin is hot water. You also may not be able to feel how hot it is and burn yourself in case you have neuropathy. 

Kelly explains against putting your hands or feet directly into the water without checking with another body part or having another person check.

She then adds that it is sufficient to take one shower a day. 

Use Sunscreen

Also drying the skin is sunburns. Especially on your head, neck, and hands, that’s why you should always use sunscreen. 

It is perfect to have a simple face moisturiser that has some SPF built into it according to Kelly. 

To Conclude, Treat Cuts Right Away

To turn into a big problem, don’t wait for a tiny scratch. As soon as they appear, wash any cuts with soap and water. As it can dry out your skin, don’t apply alcohol or iodine. See your doctor in case it doesn’t get better over the next couple of days or in case of signs of infection like a fever or pus. 

 You and your skin should have a healthy life together following these guidelines.  

Kelly concludes that living life without any major skin problems is most people with diabetes.