Skin Complications

More than 25 million Americans suffer from a very serious condition that is called diabetes; it is a chronic disease marked by increased levels of sugar in the bloodstream, and it can affect every single part of the body. 

Too often people make the mistake of dismissing diabetes as a mild condition that can be easily overcome; these people do not realize that diabetes is a serious conditions, and that if unchecked, can even cause death.  Believe it or not, diabetes is as serious a disease as they come, and when talking about the damage that it can do to a person’s body, it is important that you know that no organ or body part is safe, not even the skin. 

Diabetes can affect a person’s skin in more ways than one; as it turns out, diabetes does not only affect your health (seriously affecting your life), but also your looks.  In making you come to terms with the reality that diabetes truly is a life-changing condition, let us go over some of the skin complications that are generally associated with this condition.  Perhaps this will help you be more mindful of the disease and take extra precautions in trying to prevent it. 

• Bacterial Infection: people with diabetes are more likely to developing bacterial infections; styes, folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles are among the more common.  These infections are generally treated using antibiotics, and they seldom constitute a serious threat to people’s lives. 

• Fungal Infection:fungal infections are characterized by the appearance of itchy rashes surrounded by tiny blisters and scales; common infections include the following: jock itch; athlete’s foot; ringworm; vaginal infection. 

• Allergic Reaction:some people might find that they are allergic to the prescribed medicine against diabetes; rashes, depressions, or bumps are signs of allergy, and you must watch out for them at all times. 

• Atherosclerosis:this is a condition characterized by the thickening of the arteries; people with diabetes usually develop this condition early on.  Usually, atherosclerosis results in thin, shiny, cool, and hairless skin; toenails discolor and thicken too. 

• Digital Sclerosis:roughly one third of people suffering from diabetes develop thick skin on the back of their hands, on their toes, and their foreheads.  When toes or fingers are affected, they become stiff and are no longer able to move normally. This, like most other skin conditions, can only be effectively healed through controlled levels of blood sugar in the blood stream.   

 If you have questions and would like more information please call our office to setup an appointment to talk to Anthony Cannon, MD at (609) 587-9944.