The risk factors for developing diabetes-related dermopathy include: Although not all cases of diabetes-related dermopathy are preventable, the main way to try to prevent diabetes-related dermopathy is to manage your diabetes well. Campos de Macedo GM, et al. They can itch, spread, and worsen if not treated with prescription medication. Also called shin spots, the lesions are not accompanied by other symptoms and do not cause pain. Kristen Gasnick, PT, DPT, is a medical writer and a physical therapist at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey. For example, if you take your medication as prescribed, but your blood sugar remains high, talk to your doctor. The spots are often brown and cause no symptoms. Try lotions and moisturizers to help soften the skin. Over time, poor circulation can reduce the bodys wound-healing abilities. It looks like a small wart. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine. Diabetes-related dermopathy could be a sign of other diabetes complications, and your provider may want to run certain tests to check your overall health. Other areas lesions can be found include: Even though lesions can be unpleasant to look at depending on the severity and the number of spots the condition is harmless. A clinical study of dermatoses in diabetes to establish its markers. The overlaying skin becomes thin and red. Together, microvascular and macrovascular changes may be linked to nerve tissue damage because they can stiffen and narrow the arteries. Reducing risks: To reduce risk of diabetes complications, you should regularly follow up with your health care provider. Diabetes Skin Problems: Scleroderma, Vitiligo, Dermopathy - WebMD On the hands, youll notice tight, waxy skin on the backs of your hands. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. NHS certified education, meal plans and coaching to lose weight, reduce medications and improve your HbA1c. Poor circulation and nerve damage can make it hard for your body to heal wounds. Youll want to take steps to prevent an infection. Patches of skin look discolored. Diabetes foot syndrome. They can look like scars and be indented. Find out how a board-certified dermatologist helped Natalie see clear skin before her wedding. Theyre harmless, and medications are available for treatment. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. * Diabetes Care*. However, with NLD the spots are typically larger, deeper, and red. Diabetes-related dermopathy is more common in people who have diabetes and are over 50 years of age and those who have had diabetes for a long time. The most common type affects young adults, usually on the hands and feet. The fingers can become stiff and difficult to move. There is currently no cure or treatment for acanthnosis nigricans, although weight loss may help improve the condition. Its important to let your health care provider know if you notice anything unusual. The first sign is spots, or papules, up to 3 mm across that then expand to become yellow-brown patches with a waxy center. Diabetes happens when your body either doesnt respond effectively to insulin or doesnt produce enough insulin to manage your blood sugar levels. The outlook will depend on the skin condition. NLD occurs due to collagen degeneration and inflammation associated with the thickening of blood vessel walls and fat disposition. Having a skin biopsy also can increase the risk of infection afterward. Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes. The patches are harmless and dont itch, ooze liquid or cause pain. Controlling diabetes can clear the scaly patches. Granuloma annulare - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic The following picture gallery contains common examples of diabetic dermopathy: Even though diabetic dermopathy is common when youre living with diabetes, the exact cause of this condition is unknown. NLD can be confused with granuloma annulare, a similar skin condition in which a high percentage of patients also have diabetes. Diabetic Skin Conditions Pictures | DiabetesTalk.Net It causes darkened and thickened skin, especially in skin folds. The chronic metabolic disorder can also leave its mark on your largest organ: your skin. 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. They're usually painless and they heal on their own. Tingling. High blood sugar can increase the risk of developing digital sclerosis. However, it may fade with improved glucose levels. Acanthnosis nigricans: Symptoms are raised patches of tan or brown skin. The skin disease goes through cycles where it is active, inactive, and then active again McKinley-Grant L, Warnick M, et al. The spots are often confused as age spots, and are painless and harmless. Diabetes-Related Skin Conditions | Baptist Health The following OTC remedies can help manage certain skin conditions associated with type 2 diabetes: In some cases, a doctor will prescribe medications or other treatments such as: Some conditions may benefit from specific treatments. Good management of diabetes in regulating blood sugar levels may help decrease the likelihood of developing diabetic dermopathy. Images Occurring more frequently in people over 50, diabetic dermopathy (DD) is a common skin condition in diabetes. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Most commonly, these bacteria are Staphylococcus, or staph. Doing so can help you avoid many diabetes skin problems. The blisters tend to form on the hands, feet, legs, or forearms and look like the blisters that appear after a serious burn. Lifestyle changes: Treating any diabetes-related skin condition will include managing blood glucose levels. If diabetes has been poorly controlled for years, it can feel like you have pebbles in your fingertips. 10 Diabetic Skin Conditions And Their Symptom That You Need To Know While theres no formal treatment for diabetes-related dermopathy, there are some things you can do at home to help manage the appearance of the diabetes-related dermopathy, including: Its also important to manage your diabetes as well as you can to prevent complications. Diabetic dermopathy is a common occurrence that affects many patients with diabetes. The skin lesions of diabetic dermopathy often improve over time. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. It is not harmful but can be a symptom of more serious complications. This could mean that: If you notice any of the following warning signs on your skin, it's time to talk with your doctor. Skin Conditions - Skin Dehydration and Atherosclerosis - Diabetes 1 Among others, the most commonly described drug-induced skin reactions include rash, urticaria, and lichenoid eruption. If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment. Diabetes-related dermopathy affects people who have diabetes mellitus. Tell your doctor about the thickening skin. However, its estimated that up to 50 percent of people living with the disease will develop some form of dermatosis, such as diabetic dermopathy. Nerve and blood vessel damage occurs from chronically elevated blood sugar that is characteristic of diabetes and results in widespread inflammation throughout the body. Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your skin. What Are the Symptoms of Uncontrolled Diabetes? When legions appear on the face, scalp or upper arms, NLD is less likely to be correctly diagnosed. Diminished ability to sense hot or cold. Acanthosis nigricans: This condition is most common in people with type 2 diabetes. Check your feet every day for redness, scratches, blisters, sores, and cuts. A board-certified dermatologist can help a patient get some relief. This is often a sign of prediabetes. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312172/), (https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/skin-complications). Red wine and type 2 diabetes dont go very well together because of sugar, but red wine might reduce heart disease risk. Diabetes-related dermopathy can look similar to other skin conditions, so your provider will want to be sure of the diagnosis. Healthy eating: The foods you eat impact your blood glucose levels. Talk with your doctor. In some cases, diabetic dermopathy may occur many years before other symptoms of diabetes become evident. Sometimes, its called diabetic bullae. It looks like small, round brownish patches and usually appears on your shins. If youve been diagnosed with diabetes, you may need better control of it. Diabetic Skin Conditions - Forefront Dermatology There are several types of granuloma annulare, including localized (in one area) or disseminated (general, more widespread). Diabetic Skin Conditions: Rash, Blisters & More - Diabetes Self-Management It is not always possible to avoid diabetes, but some lifestyle habits may have an impact, including: Lifestyle changes that may help with type 2 diabetes-related skin problems include: Each person is different, so make sure to consult your doctor before changing your diet or exercise program. Timshina DK, et al. Get your blood sugar under control, because that can help treat this condition. For these reasons, many people mistake them for age spots. If your doctor determines you have diabetic dermopathy, they may forgo a biopsy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor if you need better control of it. AN also causes thickening of the skin. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). They may want to review your treatment plan. 2014;14:95-97. doi:10.15277/bjdvd.2014.027, Timshina DK, Thappa DM, Agrawal A. Skin and mouth conditions. They can be reddish or brownish in color and are usually round or oval in shape. Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief. Find support, share experiences and get exclusive member cookbooks, giveaways and freebies. If you have diabetes, you should check your feet every day for sores and open wounds. You can expect permanent results in all but one area. Another study concluded that people who have granuloma annulare that comes and goes should be tested for diabetes. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis. Digital sclerosis may cause the skin on the back of the hands to become waxy, thick, and tight in appearance. Also called shin spots, the lesions are not accompanied by other symptoms and do not cause pain. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Diabetic Skin Rash: Types, Causes, Treatment and More Symptom checkers like Aysa can help narrow down possible skin conditions by analyzing a skin photo. Steroid creams, ultraviolet light treatments, and micropigmentation (tattooing) are a few treatment options. Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. This image displays slow-healing skin lesions and ulcers due to simple trauma typical of diabetic dermopathy. Better blood sugar management doesnt seem to have an effect on how diabetes-related dermopathy progresses once you already have it. If you notice any skin problems, it is time to talk to . "When diabetes affects your skin, causing skin sores or diabetes rash, it is a sign your blood sugar levels are too high. If you continue to have dry skin after you gain better control of your diabetes, a dermatologist can help. For example, you can use OTC antifungal cream to treat athletes foot. Bacterial infections: Staphylococcus skin infections are more common and more serious in people with poorly controlled diabetes. New research finds that previous studies may have underestimated how effective the Mediterranean diet is for lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes. Digital sclerosis may spread to the skin in other parts of the body if blood glucose levels stay high. There are many reasons that could be causing your calves and shins to itch. However, MH Lowitt and JS Dover illustrated the differences between NLD and patients with diabetes in their 1991 study, which showed that: The 40% of participants who did not have diabetes prior to developing NLD were observed to have abnormal glucose tolerance by the researchers. In addition, participating in diabetes education, getting enough sleep, and stopping smoking can all reduce your risk for diabetes-related complications.