Eruptive xanthomatosis is another condition caused by diabetes that's out of control. It consists of firm, yellow, pea-like enlargements in the skin. Each bump has a red halo and may itch. This condition occurs most often on the backs of hands, feet, arms, legs, and buttocks.
Small, raised, red spots on your skin slowly grow larger and shinier and sometimes turn yellow. Your skin may thin and split, causing sores called ulcers. It can itch and hurt.
Look for blisters, cuts, cracks, sores, redness, white spots or areas, thick calluses, discoloration, or other changes. Don't rely on pain; even feeling more warmth or cold than usual can be a sign that you have an open wound on your skin, and it's possible that you may feel nothing at all.
Dry, itchy skin
If you have diabetes, you're more likely to have dry skin. High blood sugar (glucose) can cause this. If you have a skin infection or poor circulation, these could also contribute to dry, itchy skin.
Moisturising cream can be used to moisturise dry skin or as a preventative measure against skin becoming dry and itchy. Calamine lotion can help to alleviate skin that is itching. Medications which may be prescribed to relieve itching include mild steroid creams and antihistamine tablets.
The culprit in fungal infections of people with diabetes is often Candida albicans. This yeast-like fungus can create itchy rashes of moist, red areas surrounded by tiny blisters and scales. These infections often occur in warm, moist folds of the skin.
Eruptive xanthomatosis: Firm, yellow, pea-sized skin bumps may itch and be encircled in red. This rash most often affects the backs of the hands, feet, arms, legs and buttocks. Among people with Type 1 diabetes, it's most common in men who have high cholesterol.
The spots look like red or brown round patches or lines in the skin and are common in people with diabetes. They appear on the front of your legs (your shins) and are often confused with age spots. The spots don't hurt, itch, or open up.
See your doctor or a skin disease specialist (dermatologist) if the itching: Lasts more than two weeks and doesn't improve with self-care measures. Is severe and distracts you from your daily routines or prevents you from sleeping. Comes on suddenly and can't be easily explained.
Antibiotics such as Neomycin, Gentamycin, and Mupirocin have good antibacterial coverage when used topically. Silver containing dressings come in different formulations and have very good antibacterial coverage. Silver dressings and polyherbal preparations have shown good results in healing diabetic foot wounds[74].
About venous leg ulcers
A leg ulcer is a long-lasting (chronic) sore that takes more than 4 to 6 weeks to heal. They usually develop on the inside of the leg, just above the ankle. The symptoms of a venous leg ulcer include pain, itching and swelling in the affected leg.
How long does a diabetic wound take to heal? Diabetic wounds can take a while to heal. A 2017 study involving 105 people with diabetic foot ulcers reported that the median time from starting medical care to healing was 75.5 days , excluding the wounds that did not heal.
A diabetic foot ulcer has a variety of causes, often including peripheral ischemia, neuropathy or both. Ulcer healing takes weeks or months, and one-third of ulcers never heal with amputation as the consequence [2].
Dry skin: Your body loses moisture at night, which can make your skin itchy. Hormonal changes: At night, your body doesn't produce as many hormones as it does during the day and certain hormones reduce inflammation (swelling). As you have fewer hormones at night, your skin could be itchy.
Common causes of itching
parasitic infestations – such as scabies. insect bites and stings. fungal infections – such as athlete's foot or vaginal thrush. hormonal changes during pregnancy or the menopause.
Extremely itchy skin is a common symptom of advanced kidney disease. The itch can range from irritating to life-disrupting. Your skin may itch all (or most of) the time. Some people have itch on one area of their skin.
One possible sign of prediabetes is darkened skin on certain parts of the body. Affected areas can include the neck, armpits and groin. Classic signs and symptoms that suggest you've moved from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes include: Increased thirst.
Affected skin may present with scaling, cracks, or a rough texture. These skin changes are most frequently located on the feet of patients with diabetes. It has been reported that diabetic patients that are obese will experience more severe hypohidrosis of the feet (63A).
A common diet recommendation for people living with diabetes is less carbohydrates and more protein. That's because if you're eating foods with less sugar and lower glycemic levels, it's a lot easier to keep blood sugar levels in check. Eating more protein has an added advantage – it can help wounds heal more quickly.
Given the number of variables associated with tap water, and the absence of conclusive evidence specific to diabetic foot wounds, the authors recommend that sterile saline solution is used to cleanse these complex and vulnerable wounds.
People with diabetes who have foot ulcers require adequate vasculature, infection control, and pressure offloading to heal. Pain is uncommon in diabetic foot disorders, but it may herald the onset of limb-threatening complications such as deep infection, Charcot change, or critical ischemia.
One should look for neuropathic changes like dry skin, fissures, deformities, callus, abnormal shape of foot, ulceration, prominent veins, and nail lesions. Careful attention should be given to the interdigital spaces.