Even with the most careful attention to your doctor’s instructions for keeping your blood sugar stable, diabetes may affect the condition of your skin in a number of ways.
Reduced perspiration especially on the legs and feet
Less moisture on the skin can lead to drying, cracking and fissuring. This in turn may lead to infection.
Itchiness
Dry skin can also be itchy–and excessive scratching may lead to infection.
Poor circulation especially in the feet
Diabetes causes blood vessels to narrow, constricting circulation. This can result in skin atrophy and eventually infection.
Interference with leukocyte function
(leukocytes are cells that fight infection)
Thus, injuries and infections tend to heal more slowly.
Potential nerve damage
in legs and feet leading to a loss of feeling
Not feeling injuries or irritations right away may cause them to worsen.
...and what you can do about it.
Daily skin care is even more important for you than for other people. And Eucerin® can be a safe, effective part of that program.
Follow the skincare tips below to keep your skin healthy and help prevent problems before they begin.
Four Everyday-Steps to Diabetic Skin Care
1. Inspect
Examine your skin everyday, especially your legs and feet. Report any suspicious or unusual irritation to your doctor immediately for treatment.
2. Cleanse
• Wash skin daily with warm (not hot) water and Eucerin® Gentle Hydrating Cleanser–a mild, soap-free, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser developed specially for sensitive skin
• Keep bath or showers short to avoid drying the skin. Pat skin dry thoroughly with a soft towel. Do not rub! That could irritate sensitive skin.
• Be sure to carefully dry all hidden places (such as between the toes) that can trap moisture and cause skin to break down.
3. Moisturize
• Use a moisturizer daily, after bath or shower to keep skin moist, flexible and less susceptible to injury and irritation.
• Apply moisturizers when skin is still damp...do not apply between toes, though, as skin there can break down.
• For daily maintenance, use Eucerin® Original Creme or Lotion–a gentle, safe, fragrance-free moisturizer that’s perfect for chronically dry, sensitive skin.
4. Prevent
• Avoid scratching, which can lead to increased itching, broken skin and serious infection. Instead, try Eucerin® Itch-Relief Moisturizing Spray–a fragrance-free, non-sensitizing formulation that instantly and effectively relieves relentless dry skin itch wherever you spray it. Moisturizes the dry skin behind the problem too, to help keep itch from coming back.
• When skin gets extra dry, chafed or flaky, choose Eucerin® Plus Intensive Repair Lotion or Creme to prevent scaley cracked skin. Its gentle alpha hydroxy formulation exfoliates, which promotes new, healthy skin growth–yet is so gentle it will not irritate.
• NOTE: Never apply any preparation to broken skin. See your doctor immediately for treatment.
Pay Special Attention to the Feet–
To Help Prevent Problems Associated with Diabetes
• Trim and smooth toenails following the natural curve of the toe. Take care not to clip nails too short as ingrown toenails can become infected.
• Report corns and calluses to your doctor for treatment. Using a pumice stone could be dangerous, due to possible nerve damage or loss of feeling.
• Do not moisturize between toes, as skin can break down.
• Wear heel protectors and closed shoes to prevent injury.
Eucerin is recommended by doctors for the special skincare needs of diabetic patients because it is:
• fragrance-free
• irritant-free
• highly effective
• ideal for your sensitive, chronically dry skin.
To find out more about these products, please click here.
Where To Buy
To find Eucerin® and Aquaphor® Healing Ointment in a store near you– or to buy online– click here.
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