Even though diabetic skin disease affects about 33% of all diabetics and can be very troublesome or serious, there is some good news. Almost ant diabetic skin disease can be either prevented or treated easily if caught soon enough. It’s important that you know what some of the diabetic skin disease types are so you can recognize their emergence and take precautions to prevent unnecessary complications. Even more important, the presence of a diabetic skin disease is sometimes the first indication a person gets that they have diabetes. So it can be an early warning system of sorts. Some of the infections are general types that almost anyone can get – like bacterial or fungal infections and generalized itching.
Others are more likely to occur in diabetes patients, and a few are exclusive to diabetes patients. Some of these diabetic skin diseases are diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic blisters, and eruptive xanthomatosis. Let’s look at some of these a little closer.
Diabetic Dermopathy
Diabetic dermopathy is a diabetic skin disease brought on by the changes in the small blood vessels that diabetes causes. It appears as brown or light brown scaly patches on the skin in a round or oval area. These are not age spots, although they do resemble them in appearance. They usually show up on the front of the legs. They won’t crack or open the skin, they don’t hurt, and don’t itch. They don’t really need treatment and are harmless. But they can be an early warning sign for you if not already diagnosed with diabetes.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
This diabetic skin disease is also caused by changes in the blood vessels caused by diabetes. Known as NLD, it causes the same type spots as diabetic dermopathy, but they are larger and deeper, but fewer. The blood vessels become more visible, and sometimes they crack open. They tend to start out as dull, red, and raised areas that turn into a shiny scar with a purplish border. If they do break open, it is important to see your doctor for treatment right away to avoid infection. It is more common in women.
Eruptive Xanthomatosis
This diabetic skin disease is caused by diabetes that is out of control and not being managed. It shows up as firm, pea-sized enlargements in the skin that are yellowish in color. Each bump has a red halo around it and usually itches. Usually, you’ll find it on the back of the hands, on the feet, arms, legs, and buttocks. It’s most common in young men with type 1 diabetes. There is also usually a high level of fat and cholesterol in the blood. It will usually go away if the diabetes is controlled.
Disseminated Granuloma Annulare
In this diabetic skin disease there are sharply defined ring- or arc-shaped raised areas on the skin. They usually appear in areas away from the trunk of the body like the ears or fingers. They can be either red or reddish brown in color. You should see a doctor to clear this up. It is usually handled easily with drugs.
