Saturday, May 7, 2011

Skin Disorders Linked To Diabetes

It goes without saying that people with diabetes have many things to worry about. Skin care must rank high on their list of these priorities.

Who hasn't heard about a diabetic having a toe or foot amputated because of gangrene? However, there are many other skin care disorders that can affect the skin of those with diabetes.

To compound the problem, diabetes often causes nerve damage making it hard for diabetics to even know if they are experiencing any skin problems. This poses a danger as any infection or other skin problem must be treated early to avoid any longterm complications.

There are some skin conditions that happen to diabetics that are also common to non-diabetes as well. Some of these would include acanthosis nigricans, bacterial infections, fungal infections, allergic reactions, and itching.

However, some skin conditions are only linked to diabetes. These would include: diabetic dermopahty (white spots), necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD), bullosis diabeticorum (diabetic blisters) and eruptive xanthomatosis.

Dehydration is a condition that is very common to diabetics, especially if their blood glucose levels are not in control. When the skin becomes dry it has a tendency to crack. These cracks allow bacteria and other infectious agents to enter the body. If these infections are not treated early serious medical conditions can occur, often leading to amputations

Adding to the problem for diabetics is that circulation to the extremities of body is not good. This causes any sores or other skin problems to heal slowly.

As is true in most health issues, prevention is the best cure. This is certainly the case in preventing complications due to any of these skin disorders.

Fortunately, with proper skin care, most of these skin problems can be either prevented or treated. Many of these skin disorders can be avoided by proper blood glucose control.

People with diabetes have many skin problems but by following the advice of their doctor or other health care they can avoid many of the skin disorders that are linked to diabetes.

Diabetes is fast becoming an epidemic. The American Diabetes Society estimates that by 2050 one out of three Americans will suffer from diabetes. It is imperative for everyone to educated themselves on the symptoms of diabetes as well as learning how to avoid developing it.

Visit Symptoms of Diabetes to learn more about diabetes and how it can affect you and your family.

There are many complications associated with diabetes, read about them at Skin Disorders.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Leslie

Margaret Leslie - EzineArticles Expert Author

View the original article here

No comments:

Post a Comment