Diabetes happens when your body cannot use insulin effectively to manage your blood sugar levels. 2014;14:95-97. doi:10.15277/bjdvd.2014.027, Timshina DK, Thappa DM, Agrawal A. If you have signs of diabetes-related dermopathy, be sure to contact your healthcare provider. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Diabetic Skin Conditions - Forefront Dermatology A skin infection can occur on any area of your body, including between your toes, around one or more of your nails, and on your scalp. Diabetes-related neuropathy (damage to your nerves). Common symptoms of diabetes that may aid in the diagnosis of diabetic dermopathy include: Because diabetic dermopathy is an asymptomatic and benign condition, it requires no treatment. Small, raised bumps, on brown or Black skin. It is especially common in overweight people with type 2 diabetes. These can affect the fingers, hands, toes, feet, legs, or forearms. These have a red border and a shiny, yellowish center, and they probably won't go away. However, further assessment and management of diabetes and related complications may be required. Affected areas usually include the neck, armpits, and groin. There are several types of granuloma annulare, including localized (in one area) or disseminated (general, more widespread). Diabetes and Dry Skin: 6 Tips for Diabetics Battling Dry Skin - WebMD Everything You Need to Know About Diabetes and Skin Problems: Rashes But most are easily treated with management of blood glucose levels. You may also need physical therapy. This was also the case for retinopathy and nephropathy. It appears that nerve and blood vessel damage that can result from diabetes can also predispose you to diabetic dermopathy. Many people with diabetes have skin-related complications. Itching skin, also called pruritus, can have many causes, such as dry skin, poor blood flow, or a yeast infection. This can result in persistently high glucose levels, or hyperglycemia. Keeping your skin moisturized with lotion or natural oils can help improve the elasticity and appearance of your skin and the decreased dryness of patches. The prevalence of NLD in patients with diabetes has been reported at different figures by researchers, but is generally regarded as being below 2%. Diabetic Skin Rash: Types, Causes, Treatment and More Campos de Macedo GM, et al. It can also develop on the upper back, shoulders, and neck. Steroids, phototherapy, and various drugs may also help treat granuloma annulare. This image displays a close-up of diabetic dermopathy showing scarring. Its common for them to develop on your shins. Heres what you need to know. [Updated 2022 Oct 9]. Diabetic dermopathy is a condition characterized by small, brown skin lesions on the shins of patients with diabetes. (2020). Kristen Gasnick, PT, DPT, is a medical writer and a physical therapist at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey. Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that causes areas of dark, thick velvety skin in body folds and creases. If untreated, injuries can lead to complications. Dont be afraid to ask your provider for help and friends and family for support. Diabetes-related dermopathy is strongly associated with the following complications of diabetes: Diabetes-related dermopathy isnt contagious. As long as the sores don't break open, you won't need treatment for them. It can also make your finger joints stiff. Is there a link, and what can you do to get rid of them? The spots can itch and also produce an odor too. There are other instances where lesions may be permanent. Problem solving: Managing your diabetes may require adjustments to your treatment over time. Still, skin conditions related to this disease are common. Its best to consult a doctor if you notice new or worsening symptoms, as these may indicate that you need to review your diabetes treatment. It was renamed in 1932 as necrobiosis lipoidica diabetica by E. Urbach. Other than the appearance of skin lesions, diabetic dermopathy doesnt have any other symptoms. You can see blood vessels Darkened skin on the affected area. The rash can be red, red-brown, or skin-colored. The patches are slightly scaly and are usually round or oval. Whats the Link Between Skin Tags and Diabetes? Tell your doctor about the yellowish scaly patches around your eyes. The condition is also more common in people assigned male at birth. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent sunburn on your discolored skin. Diabetic dermopathy is a condition characterized by small, brown skin lesions on the shins of patients with diabetes. Bullosis diabeticorum, or diabetic blisters, may make it look like youve been burned, but theyre typically painless. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Diabetic dermopathy appears as pink to red or tan to dark brown patches, and it is most frequently found on the lower legs. There are a variety of skin conditions that you can suffer from due to diabetes, some with different treatments. You may also notice: Athletes foot: Not limited to athletes, this fungal infection may cause cracks, itchiness, and flaky skin between the toes and on bottom of the feet. You may develop one lesion or clusters of lesions on the shin and other parts of your body. These include the folds of the skin around the neck, groin, and armpits. It's important to keep diabetes well-managed to avoid other serious complications (beyond dermopathy), such as: A diagnosis of diabetic dermopathy is made through a physical exam by a physician. Proper blood sugar management can often help prevent or reduce skin problems that arise with diabetes. Diabetes can impact the health of your entire body, including the skin. A group of boils that are close together is called a carbuncle. Diabetic Skin Conditions Pictures | DiabetesTalk.Net George SMC, Walton S. Diabetic dermopathy. Diabetes - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic injuries or irritation to the skin surrounding insulin injection sites, styes, which cause swelling on the eyelids, folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles, carbuncles, deep infections of the skin and the tissue below it, a white discharge that resembles cottage cheese, first appear as firm, reddish-brown papules, develop thinner, weaker, waxy skin in the center, may look like a shiny scar with a violet border, may feature ulcers for example, after a blow or other trauma to the area, usually appear on the lower leg but sometimes on the arms, face, or scalp, be darker and thicker than the surrounding skin, topical steroid medications, such as those containing, moisturizers and lotions to relieve dryness, topical or oral antibiotics to treat skin infections, insulin therapy or other drugs to manage blood sugar levels, talcum powder to prevent friction in skin folds, avoiding scratching dry skin, which increases the risk of infections by breaking the skin, avoiding hot baths or showers, which can dry out your skin. Timshina DK, et al. (2012). It causes darkened and thickened skin, especially in skin folds. The Hypo Program is the world's first and only structured education program. While NLD may happen more often in women, Dr. Siegel notes that its actually fairly rare. No treatment is necessary unless the spots crack and open. Labib A, Rosen J, Yosipovitch G. Skin Manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes and Your Skin - WebMD Due to poor blood flow and nerve damage if the skin on your foot becomes damaged it may develop into an ulcer which may take a long time to heal and has a high risk for infection.. See a dermatologist about your skin. Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose levels, can happen with uncontrolled diabetes. Diabetes-related dermopathy is fairly common in people who have diabetes. Diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus, is a chronic condition that affects your blood sugar level and can cause serious medical problems if left untreated. While there is no specific treatment for diabetic dermopathy, it is still important to remember that controlling your diabetes is important to prevent other complications of diabetes. Proven in 7 studies. These brownish patches on your skin appear like a dark brown birthmark but they are a skin condition caused by diabetes. With vitiligo, the cells that make the substance that gives your skin color, melanin, are destroyed. Some skin conditions require medical attention for example, infections and ulcers require treatment to prevent them from becoming worse. No matter what, its essential to do your best to manage your diabetes well in order to be healthy and prevent complications. Diabetes can make existing skin problems worse. You may have other warning signs of diabetes. On the hands, youll notice tight, waxy skin on the backs of your hands. Skin and mouth conditions. This is often a sign of prediabetes. Managing blood glucose will help treat the blisters and help prevent them. Diabetes-related skin conditions can be frustrating or uncomfortable. 1 Among others, the most commonly described drug-induced skin reactions include rash, urticaria, and lichenoid eruption. Do Diabetics Experience Dizziness More Than Non-Diabetics? Check your feet every day for redness, scratches, blisters, sores, and cuts. Causes of skin itching with diabetes include infections, dry skin, and reduced circulation. In people with diabetes, bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens develop more easily and become harder to remove. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Even all-natural herbal supplements can interfere with any medications youre currently taking. On average, diabetes-related dermopathy patches tend to fade after one to two years, but they can remain on your skin for longer.