Diabetic skin changes: Causes, signs, and therapies
Diabetic dermopathy is a skin condition that commonly appears on the lower part of the legs in people with diabetes. This condition, characterised by scaly, reddish-brown patches, is linked to other diabetes complications primarily through shared underlying mechanisms.
High blood glucose levels contribute to diabetic dermopathy and other skin issues by damaging small blood vessels, reducing blood supply to the skin, and impairing wound healing. This damage also affects collagen structures, making the skin less elastic and more prone to injury. Additionally, high blood sugar weakens immune defenses, increasing the risk of skin infections.
The exact cause of the lesions that occur in diabetic dermopathy is unknown. However, the condition reflects microvascular changes and impaired circulation, often considered a cutaneous marker of underlying diabetic microangiopathy. This microvascular damage also contributes to other complications such as diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy, signalling more systemic microvascular disease and poor glycemic control.
Up to 55% of people with diabetes may have these skin lesions. The condition itself is harmless and does not cause any additional symptoms or pain. However, it may resemble age spots, especially if they appear in clusters. In some cases, doctors may biopsy a spot if they suspect it is a symptom of another skin condition.
Managing diabetes effectively can help reduce the risk of associated complications, including diabetic dermopathy. Properly managing diabetes is key to preventing serious health issues like eye, nerve, and kidney damage. If a person notices that spots tend to appear after injuries to the area, finding ways to avoid injuries may help.
Controlling blood sugar levels may prevent future lesions from developing but will not have an effect on existing ones. If the condition causes dry or scaly patches of skin, moisturizer may help ease symptoms and stop lesions from progressing.
It's important to note that diabetic dermopathy is not contagious. The condition is more common among people over the age of 50 years and those who have had diabetes for longer. Additionally, the condition is more common among males than females.
Anyone who suspects they are experiencing early symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes, such as frequent urination, constant hunger, increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, slow wound healing, should see a doctor. Doctors may want to do further testing to ensure proper blood sugar management and check for damage in other tissues.
In summary, diabetic dermopathy is a common skin condition in diabetes, linked to microvascular damage, impaired wound healing, and defective immune function. Proper management of diabetes can help reduce the risk of this condition and other diabetes complications. If you have diabetes and notice scaly, reddish-brown patches on your legs, it's essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider.
- A naive individual may overlook the connection between diabetic dermopathy, a condition characterized by scaly, reddish-brown patches on the lower part of the legs, and other diabetes complications, as both are linked by shared underlying mechanisms in science.
- Diabetic treatment is crucial, as managing diabetes effectively can help reduce the risk of associated complications, like diabetic dermopathy and other diabetes complications such as diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, it's essential to prioritize skin care for people with diabetes, as high blood glucose levels can contribute to skin issues like diabetic dermopathy by damaging small blood vessels, reducing blood supply to the skin, and impairing wound healing.
- Although diabetic dermopathy itself is harmless, it may resemble age spots, particularly if they appear in clusters. Thus, a person should consult their medical-condition with a healthcare provider to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
