Diabetic Skin and Foot Care, Diabetic Fast Healing Foot Creams

As many as one-third of diabetics will experience a skin disorder at some time in their lives. Sometimes, such problems are the first sign that a person has diabetes. Most skin conditions can be easily treated or prevented if caught early. Some of these are skin conditions that anyone can have, but those with diabetes can get them more easily. These include fungal infections, bacterial infections and itching. Other skin conditions happen mostly or only to those with diabetes. These include necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic dermopathy, diabetic blisters and eruptive xanthomatosis.

What is Good Diabetic Skin and Foot Care?

Diabetes can cause changes in the skin of the feet, at times making them so dry they may peel and crack. This is because the nerves that control the oil and moisture in the feet no longer work. There are several ways to help prevent skin problems:

• Keep diabetes well managed. Those with high glucose levels tend to have dry skin and less ability to ward off harmful bacteria, which can increase the risk of infection.
• Keep the skin clean and dry, using powder in the areas where skin touches skin, such as the groin and armpits.
• Avoid very hot showers and baths, and if the skin is dry do not use bubble baths. Moisturizing soaps may be helpful.
• After bathing, use lotion or creams to seal in the remaining moisture. Do not put it between the toes, the extra moisture in those areas can encourage fungus to grow.
• Do not soak the feet, it can dry out the skin even more.
• To prevent dry skin, moisturize it especially during windy or cold weather. Scratching itchy or dry skin can open it up and allow infection to set in.
• Treat cuts immediately by washing minor cuts with soap and water. Only use an antibiotic ointment or cream if it is approved by a doctor. Cover minor cuts with a sterile gauze, and see a doctor right away if it is a major cut, burn or infection.
• During dry, cold months, keep the home more humid and bathe less often during this time if possible.
• Mild shampoos should be used.
• Feminine hygiene sprays should not be used.
• See a dermatologist or doctor about skin problems if they persist in spite of your efforts.
• Check feet every day for cuts and sores, and wear flat, broad shoes that fit well. Before putting on shoes, check them for foreign objects.

How are Diabetic Socks Different than Regular Socks?

Diabetic socks are a non-elastic and non-binding sock that is designed to not constrict the leg or foot. Some of them also control moisture, which can reduce the risk of infection. Another feature of diabetic socks that is beneficial is seamless toe-closures to reduce blistering and pressure. Diabetic socks are constructed in various ways, including non-cotton with antimicrobial properties, cotton blend with stretch tops, compression type, and plain non-binding to allow circulation to flow more freely. For excessive edema, extra wide socks are available.

Diabetic socks are available in both low-cut and mid-calf styles, and may appear like regular socks. Various colors are available, but white may be preferred for those with open sores or wounds. This could alert wearers with compromised sensation to a draining wound. Diabetic socks should fit well, without constricting cuffs, uncomfortable seams or lumps, and are made of material that does not wrinkle.

What are General Diabetic Skin Conditions?

Anyone can have these general skin conditions, but diabetics can develop them more easily. They are bacterial infections, fungal infections and itching.

There are several kinds of bacterial infections that can occur in those with diabetes. These include styes (infections of the glands of the eyelid), boils, folliculitis (infections of the hair follicles), infections around the nails, and carbuncles (deep infections of the skin and the tissue underneath). Inflamed tissues are usually swollen, red, hot and painful. Infections can be caused by several different organisms, and the most common one is staphylococcus, also called staph.

Fungal infections of those with diabetes is often candida albicans. This is a yeast-like fungus that can create itchy rashes of red, moist areas surrounded by tiny scales and blisters. These infections often occur in moist, warm creases of the skin. Problem areas are around the nails, between fingers and toes, under the breasts, in the corners of the mouth, in the armpits and groin, and under the foreskin in uncircumcised men. Common fungal infections include athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, and vaginal infection that causes itching.

Diabetes often causes localized itching that can be caused by dry skin, a yeast infection, or poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs. Itching can be treated by limiting how often bathing occurs when the humidity is low, using mild soap with a moisturizer, and applying cream after bathing.

What are Skin Conditions that Only Affect Diabetics?

There are skin conditions that mostly or only happen to those with diabetes. They include acanthosis nigricans, diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, allergic reactions, diabetic blisters, eruptive xanthomatosis, digital sclerosis and disseminated granuloma annulare.

Acanthosis nigricans is a condition in which brown or tan raised areas appear on the sides of the neck, armpits, groin, hands, elbows, and knees. It usually affects those who are very overweight and is best treated by losing weight. The spots can look better with some creams.

Diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels that can make skin problems occur that are called diabetic dermopathy. It often looks like light brown, scaly patches that may be circular or oval. Some people mistake them for age spots and most occur on the front of both legs. The patches do not open up, hurt, or itch, and this condition is harmless and does not need to be treated.

Another condition that may be caused by blood vessel changes is necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD). NLD causes spots similar to diabetic dermopathy, but they are larger, fewer and deeper. It often begins as a red, dull, raised area, then turns into a shiny scar with a violet border. The blood vessels under the skin may become easier to see, the area is painful and itchy, and sometimes the spots crack open. NLD is a rare condition, and adult women are most likely to get it. They do not need to be treated unless the sores break open. If that happens, see a doctor for treatment.

Allergic skin reactions can happen in response to medicines, such as diabetes medications or insulin. If a reaction to medicine is occurring, see a doctor. Watch for rashes, bumps, or depressions at the sites where the insulin is injected.

Diabetic blisters (bullosis diabeticorum) are rare in diabetics, but they can occur on the backs of hands, fingers, feet, toes, and sometimes on the forearms or legs. These sores often occur in those who have diabetic neuropathy and they look like burn blisters. They are painless, have no redness around them, and are sometimes large. In about three weeks they heal by themselves, usually without scarring. Bringing the blood sugar levels under control is the only treatment.

A condition that is caused by out of control diabetes is eruptive xanthomatosis. It consists of yellow, firm, pea-like enlargements in the skin, and each bump has a red halo and may itch. This condition most often occurs on the backs of hands, arms, feet, legs, and buttocks. It usually happens in young men with type 1 diabetes with high levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood. These bumps disappear when the diabetes is under control.

Sometimes diabetics develop thick, tight, waxy skin on the backs of the hands, toes, and forehead called digital sclerosis. The finger joints become stiff and can no longer move like they should, and rarely the ankles, knees, or elbows also get stiff. This happens to about one-third of those who have type 1 diabetes. The only treatment is to get the blood sugar levels under control.

A person with disseminated granuloma annulare has sharply defined arc- or ring-shaped raised areas on the skin, most often on body parts that are away from the trunk, such as ears or fingers. But, sometimes the raised areas can occur on the trunk, and can be red-brown, red, or skin-colored. These rashes should be seen by a doctor, because there are drugs that can help clear up this condition.

Rehabmart is pleased to offer many products to help take care of the skin and feet from well-known and respected vendors such as Independence Medical, Salk Inc., and Chattanooga.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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