What is Diabetes? Is knowing the effects on skin important?

What is Type Two Diabetes? 

            Type two diabetes is a disease where a person lacks the ability to regulate their own blood sugar appropriately CDC (2022). Almost forty million people have type two diabetes in the united states. Of the united states population, almost one hundred million are pre-diabetic. Although the CDC (2022) states that pre-diabetes can most likely be reversed once a person is officially diagnosed, through a healthy and active lifestyle. Diabetes is one of the most prevalent, preventable disease’s and has serious implications on a persons health. This disease can result in serious complications such as vision, heart, kidney issues and skin infections.  People who suffer from diabetes need to form good self care habits, this includes taking care of their skin. As a result of diabetes, people can have multiple skin issues, that sometimes results in an amputation. It is recommended that education, healthy living and wellness are key components in battling diabetes (CDC, 2022). 

  Skin conditions as a result of having diabetes effects nearly fifty percent of people who have the disease (Mendes et al., 2017).  These conditions range in severity however the most common skin conditions are listed below: 

• Skin Infection
• Skin Plaques-rough patches of skin causing uncomfortable itching sensation
• Ulcers- Open patches of skin

Skin Care Tips

• • • • • Monitor blood sugar levels.
        • Keep yourself hydrated.
        • Pat yourself dry after showering.
        • Take cooler showers to prevent your skin from being dry,
        • Wear Sunscreen when outside.
        • Moisturize your skin.

           Diabetics being susceptible to an array of skin conditions, the feet are not excluded within this (Preventive foot care in diabetes, 2004). In fact, the people who suffer from this disease are at an extremely high risk for developing various foot/skin related issues such as infection and or amputation. It’s recommended that patients with this disease manage their conditions to ensure they maintain skin integrity on their feet (Preventive foot care in diabetes, 2004). The video below depicts various ways to ensure, safe and appropriate foot care for someone with diabetes. 

Foot Care Tips

• • • • • Wear Well Fitting Shoes to Prevent Sheering
        • Have Vascular testing done
        • Perform daily skin checks.
        • See a podiatrist frequently

 

Additional Resources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/dotw/diabetes/
  • This is the CDC website that provides a general overview of the disease
• https://diabetes.org/healthylivingnews
  • This resource assists with living with the disease and how to manage blood sugar levels
• https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/conditions/diabetes/information_and_resources.htm
  • This is a resource from New York State that has compiled various information from around the country.

 

References

American Diabetes Association; Preventive Foot Care in Diabetes. Diabetes Care 1 January 2004;            27 (suppl_1): s63–s64. https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.27.2007.S63

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 3). Diabetes. Centers for Disease              Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 13, 2022, from                                                                 https://www.cdc.gov/dotw/diabetes/

Mendes, A. L., Miot, H. A., & Haddad, V. (2017). Diabetes mellitus and the skin. Anais brasileiros              de dermatologia, 92, 8-20.

YouTube. (2022). 10 Ways to save a diabetic foot from amputation. YouTube. Retrieved November            4, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARllHd0ouuo.

YouTube. (2022). 7 Tips To Avoid The Common Skin Problems Caused By Diabetes. YouTube.                           Retrieved November 4, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJtXb87_kQY.