Diabetes can cause several skin complications that occur in about one-third of people with the disease. Common skin issues include bacterial infections like styes, boils, and nail infections. Fungal infections from Candida albicans are also frequent, usually appearing in skin folds. Additionally, dry, itchy skin is common due to dehydration or poor skin nourishment. Other skin conditions related to diabetes are acanthosis nigricans, vitiligo, diabetic dermopathy, blisters, xanthomatosis, digital sclerosis, and disseminated granuloma annulare. Seeing a doctor early can help prevent or treat many of these issues.

1. howtogoodhealth.net
10 common diseases relate to the skin complications of
diabetes
Diabetes can cause a lot of complications that affect most parts
of your body. In which, it is estimated that one out of three
people with diabetes will have a person appear to have skin
problems. Also, these complications can occur quite early in the
period before the disease is diagnosed. Luckily, most skin
problems can be prevented or easily treated if they are
detected early. So, the content in the below article will give you
a more general look at how to identify some skin disorders of
diabetes and how to handle them in each specific case.
10 common diseases relate to the skin complications of
diabetes
Some general skin problems
Bacterial infections in diabetes
There are several types of bacterial infections appearing in
diabetics such as:
-Eyelid infections (Styes)
-Boils pimples on the skin
-Infections of the hair follicles (Folliculitis)
-Deep infections of the skin and the tissue underneath
(Carbuncles)
-Nail infections
In addition, some signs of inflamed tissues are hot, red, swollen
and painful. Besides, staphylococcus bacteria (or also called
staph) can cause infections.

2. howtogoodhealth.net
So, bacterial infection is a threat to the life of people with
diabetes. However, thanks to antibiotics and some methods of
controlling blood sugar, death due to this condition is rare.
If you notice you have bacterial infections, see your doctor. He
will prescribe some antibiotics or oral creams for your
treatment.
Fungal infections due to diabetes
Candida albicans is the main culprit causing fungal infections of
people with diabetes. Also, it can create itchiness in wet areas
and red rashes surrounded by tiny blisters and scales.
These infections usually occur in folds of the skin, under the
breasts, between fingers and toes, around the nails, around the
edge of the mouth, the armpits and groin, and under the
foreskin (in uncircumcised men). Besides, Skin fungus and
vaginal yeast infection are common conditions in women with
diabetes.
Therefore, if you detect these signs, visit to your doctor as soon
as possible for treatment.
Dry and itching skin in people with diabetes
For diabetes patients with yeast infection, dehydration cause
dry skin, or perfusion to the area of inadequate skin
nourishment can make skin itching.
To overcome this situation, you should choose an appropriate
bath soap, moisturizing cream for dry skin but avoid applying to
the armpit and among toes.
Other skin conditions related to diabetes
Acanthosis nigricans

3. howtogoodhealth.net
Diabetic patients with overweight or obese often appear dark
patches of skin, thickening in areas of folded skin such as
armpit, groin, and neck, called blackburn. It may be a warning
sign before being diagnosed with diabetes. Currently, there are
no cure for this condition, but weight loss and good glycemic
management of may fade these black spots.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is usually only seen in people with type 1 diabetes who
are thought to be involved in autoimmune reactions in the body.
It affects melanin pigmentation in the skin. Besides, this
phenomenon causes patchy white patches on the elbow, chest,
around the mouth, eyes or nose. There is no medication that
can completely remove the area of vitiligo. However, the
patients can use sunscreen with SPF over 30 to protect their
skin.
Diabetic Dermopathy
Diabetes can lead to changes in the small blood vessels
causing skin problems, called diabetic dermopathy.
The patients with dermopathy often have light brown shots, or
scaly patches in their skin. They may be in the form of oval or
circular. Also, this disorder almost occurs on the front of legs.
However, the patches do not hurt, itch, or cause open sores.
So, dermopathy is completely harmless to the diabetics and
they do not need to treat it.
Bullosis diabeticorum
Diabetic blisters in the fingers, hands, toes, feet, forearms like
blisters burn high in people with diabetic neuropathy. However,
these blisters are usually painless and can heal in about a
week without scars. Besides, if they are not treated well, they

4. howtogoodhealth.net
will break down and create favorable conditions for bacterial
infections.
Eruptive xanthomatosis
This phenomenon consists of yellow, pea-like enlargements in
the skin. Also, each bump has a red circle around and itching. It
usually occurs on the backs of hands, arms, feet, legs and
buttocks in young men with type 1 diabetes. The reason is that
they are often high cholesterol and fat in the blood. Similar to
bullosis diabeticorum, these bumps can disappear when
controlling diabetes is restored.
Digital sclerosis
Digital sclerosis is a common complication in many people with
diabetes. However, many people mistake that they are
suffering from other diseases. Also, damages to blood vessel
walls, nerve cells, and collagen deposition thicken the skin
areas that have many folds. This causes the finger joints to
have trouble in moving. So, good glycemic control and
moisturizers to soften the skin can limit this condition.
Disseminated granuloma annulare
Disseminated granuloma annulare is characterized by red or
brownish reddish spots in a circle or arc. These spots usually
appear on fingers or ears. For treatment, you may be
prescribed some medications of Steroid group like
Hydrocortisone.