created: 29.09.2004
last modified: 29.09.2004
Normally it regenerates itself - actually a small wonder. Nevertheless some act very ungrateful and neglectful towards their protective cover.
Dealing carefully with his skin and a consequent care, which is tuned to his type of skin is twice as important for a diabetic as it is for other people.
Diabetic skin profile
Actually skin should be tight and rosy - but the skin of a diabetic is often wrinkled, looks limp, has a bad blood flow, is reddened, stretched or scales. What's the reason for that?
Many diabetics complain about dry skin that often comes along with an unbearable itch. Dry, scaling skin is not only a cosmetically unaesthetic problem but also bears health risks: The natural acid protection layer is destroyed. Fungi and bacteria can enter the skin via small injuries and attack it. Eczema, Mycosis or pathological skin alterations are the consequences. One reason is that the skin dehydrates because of the frequent urinating during high blood glucose level periods. The skin's inner pressure decreases and the skin gets the typically wrinkled and limp look. The important features of the sweat and sebum glands are often irritated due to nerve disorders or have a limited function only.
Care for an allover healthy skin
Care from the inside as well as from the outside offers help. "Skin care from the inside" first of all means: Drink a lot! It should be at least two litres of water every day, the more, the better. Coffee and alcohol dehydrate the body, so they don't add to the needed amount of liquids. Also juices and lemonade - even if they are especially designed for diabetics - should only be drunk watered down with a lot of mineral water, and be a small part of the daily liquid ratio only. A healthy, full - value diet with vitamins and trace minerals, gives the skin the nutrients it needs.
"Skin care form the outside," means the supportive use of special skin care products. First of all it is important that in this case "less is more". This counts for all sectors of skin cleaning and care. Too hot water, to many different care products with too many ingredients, washing too long or too often, having showers and baths - all this is venom for sensitive skin. Special cleaning and care products for diabetics are available at the pharmacy. Products containing urea have proven very useful, because the urea is able to bind the moisture in the skin and prevents its from drying out for a long time.
For cleaning purposes use mild, soap - free products only.
There are many skin diseases that occur more frequently or without exemption among diabetics. For example there is diabetic dermatopathy, which has the form of small red papules in the area of the shin or the knuckles. Also there is the diabetic swelling of the skin: because of an abnormity of the connective tissue, the elasticity of the skin is disturbed. Finally there is the phenomenon of diabetic blisters, which is the appearance of many blisters in a short period of time without influence from the outside.
That's why you should watch your skin carefully, especially if you change your insulin or your therapy in general. Sometimes new medication can trigger allergic reactions. If you notice one of the following alterations to your skin, you should talk to a doctor immediately:
If you listen to the needs of your skin, and take consequent care, then you can feel outright comfortable in your skin also as a diabetic!
