Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 7-15-22

Health
yellowish scaly patches around your eyelids. It’s caused by high fat levels in the blood when diabetes is poorly controlled. The only solution is to manage your illness.
10. Numerous Skin Tags
While anyone can develop skin tags, having a lot of them has been associated with dia- betes. These tags usually ap- pear on the eyelids, neck, armpit, and groin so let your doctor know if you have more than a few so you can get tested.
Diabetes can affect several of the body’s organs, includ- ing its largest – the skin. While there are certain skin conditions that anyone can develop, it’s been shown that people with diabetes are more likely to have these issues. These 10 skin problems could be a sign that you need to see your doctor.
1. Hard, Colored Patches
This is a condition known as necrobiosis lipoidica and it usually starts as small, raised bumps that look like pimples.
Over time, however, these bumps turn into hard, swollen patches that can be red, yel- low, or brown. The surround- ing skin might also be shiny while the patches are itchy and painful. It’s best to see a dermatologist for treatment as this condition can lead to complications.
2. Dark, Velvety Skin
Known as acanthosis ni- gricans, this condition mostly affects the back of the neck, armpit, and groin.
The dark patch of skin usually indicates that you’re prediabetic and have too much insulin in your blood. The only way forward is to get tested and manage your dia- betes.
3. Hard, Thick Skin
In this condition, the skin on your fingers and toes gets hard and thick making them hard to move.
Over time, digital sclerosis can spread to the arms, neck, shoulders, knees, ankles, and elbows. The problem gener- ally develops in people who
are having trouble managing their diabetes so it’s a sure sign that you need to get tested.
4. Sudden Blisters
With bullosis diabetrico- rum, you develop blisters on your hands, feet, legs, or fore- arms that are similar to the ones that happen after a bad burn. You may notice a large blister or a group of small ones.
The blisters are typical for diabetics and it’s important to avoid getting an infection. If you see them, make sure to see a doctor for testing as well as controlled treatment of the blisters.
5. Frequent Skin Infections
Anybody can develop a skin infection but people with diabetes are more prone to them.
These infections are char- acterized by hot, swollen areas that are painful or an itchy rash with a discharge. You should see a doctor to treat the issue quickly and let them know if you’ve been having in- fections frequently.
6. Unexplained Open Wounds Or Sores
One issue with diabetes is that it causes poor blood cir- culation and nerve damage. As a consequence, even the smallest cuts can have trouble healing – especially if they occur on your feet.
These open wounds are known as diabetic ulcers and can easily become infected. It’s recommended to check your feet daily for any cuts and get treatment immedi- ately if you have them.
7. Shin Spots
In diabetic dermothapy, you’ll notice a dark spot or line on your shin, which can also cause a slight depression. In rare cases, the spot may ap- pear on your arms or thighs.
The spots can also be perma- nent or disappear after a year or two. Unless your diabetes is being managed, the spots will continue to appear.
8. Appearance Of Small, Red-yellow Bumps When dealing with erup- tive xanthomatosis, you’ll see the sudden appearance of bumps that look like pimples. However, these bumps soon develop a yellowish color
while being tender and itchy. You’ll usually find the bumps on the back of the knees, thighs, or buttocks but they can develop anywhere. Generally, this condition is a sign that your diabetes is not being managed properly and will only resolve once that’s
taken care of.
7. Appearance Of Red, Raised Bumps
Doctors are still establish- ing the link between diabetes and granuloma annulare. However, the red or flesh-col- ored raised bumps have been found on large areas of skin in several diabetics. It’s best to get tested if you have it so your condition can be con- trolled.
8. Very Dry And Itchy Skin
High blood sugar and poor circulation can make the skin dry and itchy. This will be harder to manage than gener- ally itchy skin so talk to your doctor if you’ve been having this issue.
9. Yellowish, Scaly Patches
This condition is called xanthelasma and you’ll notice
If you’re noticing changes in your skin, talk to your doc- tor about getting tested for di- abetes. You might be more prone to skin conditions but that doesn’t mean you can’t prevent them from happening or worsening.
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