Dry skin in winter: Diabetes

Showing posts with label Diabetes. Show all posts

Dry Skin - Diabetes and Your Skin

There are many things that can cause your skin to become dry, brittle and cracked. Only a portion of the things that cause dry skin are purely environmental, meaning that they are t skin are internal or medical in nature. These are the causes that are the most difficult to pihings outside of your body that you come into contact with on a daily basis. Other causes of drynpoint and address.

Medical conditions that cause dry skin are numerous. Thyroid disease, Hodgkin's disease, eczema, and diabetes all contribute to bothersome skin conditions. Sometimes, it may not be directly caused by a medical condition but rather the treatment for that condition. This is especially true in cases of cancer where radiation and chemotherapy are used.

\"Dry Skin\"

Diabetes and Dry Skin

Dry Skin - Diabetes and Your Skin

Diabetes, dry skin and other skin conditions are closely linked. In fact, the first sign that a person has diabetes is usually some sort of skin disorder. It is estimated that more than 75 percent of diabetes patients will suffer from a skin condition. These in patients with diabetes can be especially troublesome and difficult to treat. This is because the body's ability to renew and heal itself is stunted in persons with diabetes.

Dry skin is so common in people with diabetes because diabetics regularly experience high glucose levels. When glucose levels are high, the skin and surrounding tissues are zapped of vital moiture resulting in extremely dry legs, feet and elbows. The dehydrated, dry skin is then prone to cracking, peeling and infection which can be very difficult to reverse. In extreme situations, amputation is needed to help heal an infected wound.

Another cause of dry skin in diabetes patients is poor circulation. People with this disease often experience a loss of circulation and nerve sensation in their extremities. This can cause the sweat glands to slow or shut down. Without sweat to keep the skin moist, a further drying of the skin can occur.

Dry skin can be cured in patients with diabetes. It just take a little more effort than in people who do not have an underlying medical condition contributing to their skin woes. Follow these tips for keeping your skin hydrated in spite of diabetes:

* Try to keep your glucose levels under control. Monitor your blood sugar regularly and follow a good diet.

* Drink plenty of water.

* If you notice any dry patches, discuss these with your doctor immediately before they become cracked.

* Always use lotions and creams to hydrate your skin.

* Decrease the amount of times that you bathe and use a gentle, hydrating soap when you do. Your water temperature should also be lukewarm, not hot.

* Use a humidifer.

Other Diabetic Skin Conditions

In addition to dry skin, there are many other types that can affect people with diabetes. Here is just a brief overview of a few of the conditions that can exist on their own or in combination with dry skin.

* Acanthosis nigricans - This skin condition is identified by the brown or black patches of skin that are normally associated with overweight people. These markings are normally seen on the neck, groin, or underarms and are caused by insulin receptors in the skin that cause the skin to grow abnormally.

* Diabetic dermopathy - Is identified by small, round, raised lesions that may crack and open up. They are caused by changed in small blood vessels and poor circulation.

* Bullosis diabeticorum - This condition is identified by small, ruptured blisters underneath the skin of a diabetic patient. The blisters are normally painless and heal on their own. They are caused by uncontrolled glucose levels.

* Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum - Is identified by dull, brown sores which may crack and peel. After some time, these sores become shiny and resemble scars. They are often indented. This condition is caused by changes in skin cells due to lack of circulation and is more common in Type 1 diabetes than Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic skin care does not have to be that difficult. The key to combatting dry skin and other skin conditions cause by diabetes is to never let them get out of control. Take a few minutes each day to care for your skin. Be sure to use plenty of moisturizers and report any troublesome spots to your doctor. This will help keep your skin healthy and moist despite your medical condition. Most importantly, strive to keep your glucose levels under control. This is your best defense against skin conditions.

Dry Skin - Diabetes and Your Skin

www.dryskinsite.com brings you all the latest information you need to combat your dry skin problems. There's nothing to buy, just really helpful information. Be sure to check out pages like Diabetes Dry Skin

Diabetes Dry Skin

Diabetes is a medical condition characterized by the body's failure to produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that participates in breaking down food into energy for the body to use. Diabetes is identified by a sudden increase in fatigue, irritability, a sharp loss in weight, and dry skin conditions. The body's failure to produce insulin is identified as Type I diabetes, while the failure to properly use insulin is identified as Type II diabetes. Of the two, Type I diabetes is more severe and requires much more attention.

A person with diabetes has a blood glucose level that fluctuates. A diabetic's blood glucose level increases and nerve sensitivity decreases, and the body loses fluids. The person also fails to sweat sufficiently when needed. This results in a drying effect on the skin, particularly in the legs, feet, and elbows. Diabetes dry skin is more serious than ordinary dry skin because of the increased likelihood of infection and disease.

\"Dry Skin\"

People with diabetes experience more frequent and severe dry skin symptoms and complications. Diabetes also causes a decrease in nerve sensitivity at the extremities. Due to the decreased sensitivity, it is often difficult to notice skin conditions until the problems have escalated to a more serious degree. A common example of this would be the cracking of dry skin at the soles of a diabetic's foot. The diabetic might not be aware of the dry skin and leaves it untreated for some time. After a while, the dry skin becomes so severe that cracks appear in the skin. Germs may then seep into the wound and, fed by the diabetic's high levels of blood glucose, multiply quickly. The wound becomes infected and may lead to gangrene, which may require amputation to address.

Diabetes Dry Skin

The poor blood flow in the body of a person with diabetes may also slow the healing process, allowing the wound to gradually get worse.

In addition to dry skin, other skin problems may accompany diabetes. These include the following:

1. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum ("NLD") is a rash that occurs on the lower legs. It is more common in women, and there are usually several spots. They are slightly raised shiny red-brown patches. The centers are often yellowish and may develop open sores that are slow to heal.

2. Diabetic dermopathy is a skin condition characterized by light brown or reddish, oval or round, slightly indented scaly patches most often appearing on the shins. It has been found to occur in up to 30% of patients with diabetes.

3. Bullosis diabeticorum are small to large blisters that develop underneath the skin and may rupture. While they are sometimes quite large, they are usually painless. There is no treatment and the blisters heal on their own, usually within three to four weeks and tend to leave no scars.

4. Acanthosis nigricans causes velvety dark brown to black lesions on the skin, usually on the neck, under the arms or in the groin. It is more common among Hispanics and African Americans, and is often associated with being overweight.

In addition to all medication and practices suggested by doctors, treatment of diabetes dry skin involves a few simple self-care measures. For instance, including more fish in the diet will provide your body with high-quality oils such as Omega-3, which will help your skin retain moisture and make it look younger. If you can't eat fish, you can try fish oil capsules from the local drugstore.

Drinking lots of fluids are also important to replenish the moisture lost during the day. Replenishing your thirsty dry skin is important, and while more trips to the restroom may be in order, the benefits of having healthy skin and more energy even with diabetes will outweigh the inconveniences.

Use lukewarm water when bathing or showering in lieu of hot water, as hot water tends to sap moisture and cause dry skin. Use a mild soap or shower moisturizer, and rinse and pat-dry yourself thoroughly. Use a moisturizer or shielding lotion immediately after pat-drying, while your skin is still damp, to trap the moisture in your skin. Make the switch to all-cotton underwear, since it allows air to move around your body better than synthetic materials.

If you feel you have diabetes or are not entirely sure, it would help to pay a visit to your doctor. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about your medical history. If diagnostic tests reveal that your dry skin is the result of diabetes, he may suggest treatments and refer you to a more qualified dermatologist.

Diabetes Dry Skin

Diabetes and Wound Care

Diabetes and wound care has grown to be a critical subject over the years. Approximately 5 million Americans suffer from some sort of chronic wound or open sore, 15% of these are diabetics. Chronic wounds can become infected, develop gangrene or require amputation.Diabetics are at a greater risk of developing chronic wounds because of poor circulation, slow healing times, vascular disease and neuropathy (numbness).Diabetic ulcers are the most common foot injuries leading to lower extremity amputation.

Because of this fact we will focus on diabetic foot ulcers, the most common of all diabetic chronic wounds. We'll discuss how ulcers form, what treatments are available to you and how to prevent ulcers. Patient education regarding foot hygiene, nail care and proper footwear is crucial. Let's get started.

\"skin Irritation\"

What is a Foot Ulcer?

Foot ulcers are open wounds that develop on the sides, top or soles of the feet. Diabetics are prone to these wounds because of poor circulation and other problems that arise from having diabetes. Diabetes and wound care should be taken seriously. They are notoriously difficult to treat and the treatment can be lengthy and frustrating. Lower extremities, particularly foot wounds account for one quarter of all diabetic hospital admissions in the U.S. and Great Britain.

Who Gets a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Almost anyone who has diabetes can develop foot ulcers.

Who is more likely to develop foot ulcers? Statistically it's African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and older men.

Who is at risk? People who use insulin and those who suffer diabetes related ailments such as heart disease, kidney and eye problems are equally at risk. If you are overweight, smoke and use alcohol you are at a greater risk of developing foot ulcers.

How Do Diabetic Foot Ulcers Form?

There are 4 major causes of diabetic foot ulcers.

Neuropathy (numbness). Neuropathy is a condition when you lose sensation in your limbs and lower extremities. Prolonged elevated glucose levels over time cause this to happen. This condition has a way of creeping up on you. Often you are not aware of the problem until it's too late.

Because of numbness patients can't feel small cuts on their feet, wounds can go untreated for days even weeks. Also neuropathy can cause a patient not to shift or move their feet when pressure points develop. This can lead to wounds developing.Your doctor can check your feet using a simple painless test with a tool called a monofilament.

Foot deformities. Because of neuropathy patients can break bones in their feet and not be aware of it. Foot deformities can put unnatural pressure on certain areas of the foot and cause wounds to develop.
Vascular Disease. This disease causes narrowing of blood vessels and can lead to wound development. Restricted blood flow and circulation make treating foot ulcers frustrating and lengthy. This condition reduces the body's ability to heal itself--which increases the risk of infection.
Skin irritation and friction. Patients with neuropathy (numbness) cannot tell when they have skin irritation, problems with friction or pressure points. The only way to know for sure is to check your feet often for redness, peeling skin or blisters.

How Should a Diabetic Foot Ulcer be treated?

Prevention, prevention prevention. Diabetes and wound care is all about prevention. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention. Untreated wounds can lead to infection. The quicker you treat the wound the less likely you are to develop a problem.

There are 3 commonly used treatments for foot ulcers.

Offloading - That's offloading off-roading. It means quite literarily putting your feet up. Reducing pressure on a wound is probably the single most important and most neglected factor in chronic wound treatment.

It could mean anything from using crutches or a wheelchair to complete bed rest. Taking a load off sounds like a nice idea but it could take anywhere from 6-12 weeks for your wound to properly heal. That's a lot of downtime.

This is where doctors have a problem. Their patients rarely ever follow the proper protocol. So, listen to your doctor!

It's a little technical, written for doctors by doctors but it's very informative.

Debridement - The removal of dead skin and tissue. Dead tissue can slow or impede the healing process. The dead skin can appear yellow, tan or black in color. A doctor usually includes debridement as part of complete diabetes wound care protocol.

There are 4 ways to debride a wound, autolytic, mechanical, enzymatic, and surgical.

Applying medication or dressings - This is usually used in conjunction with other treatments. Your doctor will advise you what medication or dressings to apply. In most cases you will be responsible for changing the dressing and keeping an eye on the wound. The medication could be a course of antibiotics or simply an antibiotic ointment. With diabetes, wound care can be a big responsibility for the patient.

How to Keep a Foot Ulcer from Becoming Infected If you want to keep a foot ulcer from becoming infected, there are a few things you need to do.

Control your blood sugar levels - It is vitally important that you control your blood sugar level. It's especially important during the time you are receiving treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.

Try to avoid and reduce the risk of infection while undergoing treatment--consult your doctor about the steps you should take to control your blood sugar. Eat right, exercise and check your levels daily.

Keep the wound clean and bandaged - The old way of thinking about wounds, "let it breathe", is not correct it can impede the healing process. Keep a wound clean, covered and moist is the way to go.

Clean the wound daily. Cover it with a medical bandage. Keep the wound or ulcer moist--with creams or antibiotic ointments.

Not moist as in; whirlpools, peroxide, soaking or full strength Betadine. These things are not recommended for healing a wound or ulcer. They can in fact make things worse.

Do not walk barefoot - Diabetics often suffer from neuropathy (numbness). As a result, they won't feel it if they accidentally step on a tack or a piece of glass.

The subsequent wound could be difficult to heal, or worse, become infected and lead to serious consequences. So, keep your feet covered.

Never reuse a syringe - As a rule our skin acts as a good barrier to most infections. But if you are on insulin, you routinely have to breach the surface of the skin and puncture the underlying tissue.

From the minute you uncap the syringe it is exposed to the atmosphere of the room.

After drawing in the insulin, the needle is moist. So you are administering a shot with a moist needle exposed to the room temperature and atmosphere.

It would be unwise to recap a moist syringe after puncturing the skin.

Make sure you always have a healthy supply of syringes on hand and that you never run out.

How Can a Foot Ulcer be prevented? The best and by far the easiest way to prevent a foot ulcer is.... never getting a foot ulcer! Other than the obvious, you can follow the steps recommended above.

Wear shoes; keep your feet covered with heavy or thick socks. They should fit snuggly but not too tight, you should avoid constriction.

Every time you buy shoes you should have your foot measured and sized correctly. Clean and inspect your feet daily. Try to correct any foot deformities such as bunions, corns or hammertoes.

Take care to reduce all risk factors such as; drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco and uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Self-Care Products and Diabetic Wounds

There are many products available on the market today, so called "beauty aids" for the feet. It can be a treat on occasion to have a home pedicure. However, if you are a diabetic these products can lead to open wounds.

For example, there is the "pumice stone", a hard abrasive stone used to scrape away "dead" skin from the foot. If you're a diabetic this can leave cuts and abrasions on your feet that won't heal.

There is something called a "corn plane", this device operates exactly like a wood plane. Instead of shaving away wood pieces, you are shaving away skin.

In the category of corn and callus removal, there is salicylic acid. The way this acid works is to slowly erode skin that makes up warts, corn and calluses.

All of these products come with a strict warning for diabetics to refrain from use, as their sole (get it "sole", foot "sole") purpose is to abrade the skin.

The most common of these self-care products is the nail clipper. Most people cut their nails too close to the cuticle. If you are diabetic you should cut your nails straight across. The object is to avoid getting a hangnail.

See a podiatrist regularly and let your doctor advise you on the best way to care for your feet.

Diabetes and Wound Care

Jennifer Williams of [http://www.burnsolutions.com] enjoys being involved with one of only a few companies online to provide a forum for your first-aid needs. If there is anything you need to know about first aid you can find it there. From the history of first aid to the best products available online. All information is up to date, fact checked and relevant first aid information for you, your children, pets and workplace.

Diabetes Dry Skin

\"dry Skin\"

The poor blood flow in the body of a person with diabetes may also slow the healing process, allowing the wound to gradually get worse.

In addition to dry skin, other skin problems may accompany diabetes. These include the following:

Diabetes Dry Skin