Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Q&A » I am itching all the time and I have a rash. I am wondering if I may have a skin disease or is this just a symptom of diabetes, which I have or is it nothing at all?

I am itching all the time and I have a rash. I am wondering if I may have a skin disease or is this just a symptom of diabetes, which I have or is it nothing at all?

The trouble with diabetes is that it can affect anywhere on you body including your skin. As much as a third of all diabetes will have some sort of skin problem associated with this disease at least once in their lives. A skin rash can often be the first sign of diabetes. Anybody can have skin diseases but diabetics are prone to skin diseases. Itching is often a common complaint of people who have diabetes. On top of that there are bacterial infections and infections caused by fungus. Then there are skin infections that only persons suffering from diabetes will have.

Bacterial Infections

Styes is an infection of the glands of the eyelids, diabetics will also get boils and hair follicle infections.

Diabetics can get carbuncles, which are very deep infections of the skin and the tissues underneath the skin as well. There can even be infections in the nails. Sufferers with carbuncles will have hot red inflamed tissue, which is painful. The culprit is usually a Staphylococcus bacterium also known as staph.

At one time bacterial infections were life threatening for diabetics but now, with blood glucose control and antibiotics this threat has been removed. Diabetics seem so have more bacterial skin infections that others, however it can be reduced with proper skin care.

Fungal Infections

These infections are often caused by Candida Albicans, which is yeast infection and it will show up in moist areas, and come across as itchy, red areas surrounded by tiny blisters and scales The areas most affected are under the breast, under the arm pits, around the nails, in between toes and fingers, under the foreskin, in the groin, and in the corners of the mouth You will find these infections occurring in jock itch, vaginal yeast infections, and athlete’s foot.

Itching in diabetics

This could be a localized itching, which could be caused by poor circulation, dry skin, or a yeast infection. Some diabetics suffer more from itchy legs due to poor circulation.

Itching can be caused by allergic reactions to certain medicines.

Diabetic Dermopathy

Diabetes can cause some changes in the small blood vessels and in turn, these skin problems are called diabetic demopathy. The symptoms will be light brown scaly patches. The condition is mostly found on the front of the legs. These patches can be mistaken for age spots but they do not hurt nor do they itch.

Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum

This condition is similar to diabetic dermopathy because it is caused by changes in the blood vessels; however, with necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum the spots are larger and deeper into the skin. There are not as many spots with this condition either. This condition often starts with a dull red raised area, and then it looks like a shiny scar with a violet border around it Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum can be itchy and painful. Some the sores will break open. This condition is very rare and usually women are more at risk to get it. If the sores open then you must be treated.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition, which narrows the blood vessels and this causes skin changes in the legs. Diabetics are prone to getting this disease much younger than the general population. The skin becomes shiny, thin, and hairless. The toes tend to be cold, thicken and discolor. Any type of exercise can cause muscle pain in the calf because of oxygen deficiency in this area. With this condition, minor sores and other injuries take a longer time to heal than otherwise considered normal.

Diabetes Blisters (Bullosis Diabeicorum)These are blisters, which break out hands, toes, legs forearms and feet. They can be somewhat large but they are painless and colorless. They will usually clear up by themselves.

Eruptive Xanthomatosis

This condition is also caused when diabetes is out of control. The symptoms are yellowish pea shaped bump with a red halo. These bumps may itch. It occurs most often on the backs of arms and legs and buttocks. It usually occurs in young men with type 1 diabetes and will disappear when blood sugar levels are restored.

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