Everyone gets itchy from time to time. But having itchy skin when you have diabetes can signal poor disease control and potential nerve damage.
There are various reasons why diabetes may be excessively itchy. Sometimes they are due to the destruction of certain nerve fibers located in the outer layers of the skin. But most often, this itching is due to diabetic neuropathy, one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes which in turn leads to other complications.
Diabetic neuropathy (or peripheral neuropathy) occurs when high levels of glucose in the blood damage nerve fibers, especially those in the feet and hands.
Before this nerve damage occurs, the body exhibits high levels of cytokines, inflammatory substances that can cause itchy skin.
Another reason for the itching may be an underlying skin condition, such as eczema, athlete’s foot, or psoriasis. Finally, dry skin that itchy may simply be due to the fact that the person with diabetes uses excessively irritating skin products. In this case, simple preventive measures can be adopted.
Itching: how to prevent it
- Manage your diabetes carefully to avoid an increase in blood sugar levels.
- Avoid taking baths that are too hot, as this removes the hydrolipidic film and dries the skin.
- Use a daily moisturizer for the body but be careful not to apply it between the toes to avoid yeast infection. And prefer a moisturizing milk without perfume and hypoallergenic.
If these preventative measures do not stop the itching after two weeks, make an appointment with your diabetologist. He will determine if diabetes or an underlying skin condition is the cause.
