Diabetes, a seemingly distant disease, has actually crept into many people's lives. Far from being a simple metabolic disorder, it is a silent enemy that quietly erodes our health. And the skin, as our body's first line of defense, often shows some "early warning signs" in the early stages of diabetes.
1. The skin is dehydrated and easy to dry, causing discomfort and itching.
In the early stages of diabetes, many patients experience dry and itchy skin. High sugar is rampant, the skin's moisturizing layer suffers, and moisture is visibly lost. At the same time, the nerve endings of diabetic patients may also be damaged, causing paresthesia and itching in the skin.
Case Study: Mr. Li is a middle-aged engineer who has always felt that his skin is very dry in recent months, especially on his calves and arms, and even has a slight peeling phenomenon. He experimented with a variety of moisturizers, but rarely saw significant results. He was tormented by the night, and the unbearable itching made him toss and turn, and he couldn't sleep. After a detailed examination by a physician, Mr. Li was diagnosed with the initial stage of diabetes. Through diet and medication, his blood sugar was gradually controlled, and his symptoms of dry and itchy skin were relieved.
Medical experts have shown that diabetes is often accompanied by skin reactions such as dry skin and itching. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) notes that while these symptoms may seem ordinary, the body is actually sending us a "distress signal." Seek medical assistance as soon as you notice symptoms to ensure that diabetes is diagnosed and treated promptly.
The second is the frequent occurrence of skin infections.
Diabetic patients are more susceptible to infections due to their weak immune defenses. There are many types of infections, such as boils, carbuncles, and folliculitis. The infection is often red, swollen and painful, accompanied by suppuration, severe or sepsis and other systemic infections.
Case Study: Aunt Wang, a retired teacher, recently found that she had a small red envelope on her calf, and at first she thought it was just a mosquito bite, but she didn't pay much attention to it. However, after a few days, the red envelope increased significantly, and the surrounding area also appeared red, swollen and painful. Aunt Wang rushed to seek medical attention, and the skin infection was judged by the doctor to be caused by diabetes. Aunt Wang rushed to seek medical attention, and the skin infection was judged by the doctor to be caused by diabetes. But the doctor also reminded her to pay attention to blood sugar control to avoid recurrence of infection.
It is widely recognized by the medical community that skin infections are one of the common health concerns of people with diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), people with diabetes are at many times more likely to face skin infections than the general population. Diabetics should pay special attention to personal hygiene, ensure that their skin remains clean and dry, and beware of breakage to prevent infection.
3. Significant changes in skin color.
People with diabetes may also have pigmentary changes in their skin, which manifest as a darkening or lightening of the skin's color. Hyperglycemia often causes microvascular and neuropathy and is closely associated with skin changes.
Case Study: Mr. Zhao, a young IT practitioner, recently noticed that a brown patch appeared on the back of his neck, which was not painful or itchy, but gradually enlarged. He was worried about a skin disease and went to the hospital. After examination, the doctor told him that it was a skin pigment change caused by diabetes. Mr. Chiu was shocked to realize that he had quietly entered the early stage of diabetes. On the advice of his doctor, he began to pay attention to his diet and exercise, and received medication. After a few months, Mr. Zhao's blood sugar was under control and his skin tone was restored.
Skin pigment changes are one of the typical cutaneous manifestations of diabetes. Although it does not cause much harm to the body on its own, it is an important marker of the progression of diabetes. Once this symptom appears, we should seek medical attention in time to check the blood sugar level so that diabetes can be detected and treated early.
4. Skin blisters and ulcers
Diabetic patients are prone to blisters and ulcers on their skin due to damage to nerve endings and impaired blood circulation. These blisters are usually painless but tend to rupture and cause infection; Ulcers, on the other hand, may not heal for a long time, seriously affecting the patient's quality of life.
Case Study: Grandma Zhang, an elderly diabetic patient, recently noticed a small blister on her foot. Because there was no itching or pain, she didn't pay much attention. However, after a few days, the blisters ruptured and an infection developed. Grandma Zhang rushed to the hospital, and the doctor diagnosed that this was a typical manifestation of diabetic foot. After debridement, dressing changes and antibiotic treatment, Grandma Zhang's condition was brought under control. But the doctor also warned her to pay attention to protecting the skin of her feet from breakage and infection.
It is widely accepted in the medical community that diabetic patients often suffer from complications of skin blisters and ulcers on their feet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetic foot is one of the leading causes of non-traumatic amputation worldwide. Diabetic patients should pay special attention to protect the skin of their feet from breakage and infection; Once there are abnormal conditions such as blisters or ulcers, it is necessary to seek medical attention in time.
5. Signs of hardening and thickening of the skin.
Diabetic patients may have hardened and thickened skin. This change usually occurs in the area of the hands and feet, especially the palms and soles of the feet, and manifests as rough, thickened, unelastic skin, and even cracks and ulcers.
Ms. Chan, a young female diabetic, recently noticed that her palms had become particularly rough and her skin had become very thick, even cracked and mildly painful. She was concerned about her skin problems and went to the hospital. The doctor told her that her skin hardening and thickening was caused by diabetes. On the advice of her doctor, she began to pay attention to moisturizing and using some special hand care products to relieve her symptoms.
Skin hardening and thickening is one of the specific skin manifestations of diabetes. Although it does not cause much harm to the body on its own, it is an important marker of the progression of diabetes. Therefore, once this symptom appears, we should seek medical attention in time to check the blood sugar level so that diabetes can be detected and treated early.
6. Skin atrophy and laxity
Diabetic patients may also experience atrophy and sagging of the skin's skin, which is mainly due to the loss and damage of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin due to long-term hyperglycemia.
Case Study: Uncle Liu, a diabetic patient for many years, recently noticed that his skin had become saggy, especially on his arms and thighs, which looked like he had lost his elasticity. He was deeply puzzled, unaware of the situation in front of him, unable to find the reason behind it. So, he went to the hospital to consult a doctor. After examination, the doctor told him that it was skin atrophy and sagging caused by diabetes. The doctor advised him to strengthen blood sugar control and take proper skin care to slow down the process of skin atrophy and sagging.
Medical experts explain that skin atrophy and laxity are a skin complication of diabetes, which is not directly life-threatening, but can seriously affect the quality of life of patients. Long-term skin atrophy and laxity put the skin in a fragile and fragile situation, significantly increasing the risk of skin injury and inducing infection.
Diabetes, as a chronic disease, is not only limited to blood sugar fluctuations, but is also inextricably intertwined with skin health. Although these symptoms may seem ordinary, they are actually "distress signals" from the body. Once these symptoms appear, we should seek medical attention in time to check the blood sugar level so that diabetes can be detected and treated early. At the same time, diabetic patients should also pay attention to strengthening skin care, maintaining skin health, and preventing skin complications.
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