Diabetes Causes Skin Problems

Diabetes Causes Skin Problems

The skin is the largest organ in the body. And like every other organ it can be affected by diabetes. One in three diabetics will have a problem with their skin, when their blood sugars are not in control. The most common skin problem in diabetes is acanthosis nigricans. That’s the raised and velvety discoloration of skin most often found along areas of the body which bend and flex such as the neck, elbows and knuckles or which are exposed to frequent friction such as the waist and groin. Bacterial skin infections are more common in diabetics largely because of poor control of blood sugar levels. Staph is the common bacterial cause for diabetic skin infections. Boils are infections located within the hair follicles. A typical boil is hot, inflamed and painful to touch. Fungal infections are much more common in diabetics. The most common infection is caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. Itching is one of the most common diabetic skin symptoms and has many causes, including dry skin, fungal infection or poor circulation. Getting blood sugars to normal can reduce your risk of skin problems.