Recognize Diabetic Skin Conditions
Diabetes is a health condition that plagues millions of people worldwide. The simplest definition of diabetes is a condition that plagues the blood, which affects the body's ability to produce and process insulin. Two important things to remember when discussing the condition diabetes are glucose and insulin.
When you eat, your body converts the food into energy. This process is metabolism. The food you eat turns to glucose and in order for your body to process, it requires insulin. The pancreas is the tool that produces insulin. When the body cannot regulate insulin, it results in diabetes.
Forms of Diabetes
There are three major types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes. Those suffering from Type 1 diabetes produce no insulin, Type 2 produce little insulin, and those developing the condition during pregnancy have gestational diabetes. The earlier a doctor detects diabetes, the better the disease can be managed.
Skin Conditions
People suffering from diabetes must pay close attention to skin discoloration, lesions, and abnormalities. While the following conditions may not be exclusive to diabetics, those suffering from the disease are more prone to them.
Rashes and Irritation: Allergic reactions to medication may cause skin rashes and irritation. Poor circulation can lead to skin irritations as well.
Bacterial infections include sties (eye swelling), boils, or Staphylococcus. Fungal infections: can lead to blistering and scaly skin. Yeast infections are a type of fungal infection.
Diabetic Dermopathy: brown, circular spots on the legs caused by broken blood vessels.
Vitiligo:a discoloration of the skin when cells that control pigment are destroyed.
Acanthosis nigricans: the skin will darken and get hard along the folds. It looks similar to warts.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum: lesions form on the legs, arms, face and back that can turn to ulcers if not treated.
Diabetics are susceptible to various ailments; including skin conditions, due to the nature of the condition. It is essential that diabetics eat properly, monitor glucose levels and address any skin issues immediately. A minor skin issue can evolve into a serious health condition.