Diabetes Related Skin Conditions: Prevention and Treatment

Anyone can develop a fungal skin infection, but people with diabetes are more prone to them. A common cause of fungal infections in those with diabetes is the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans that thrives in moist and warm folds of skin. The best preventative measures are good skincare and blood sugar management.

Although OTC medications usually suffice for fungal infections, consult your diabetes care team about any suspicious rash to learn your best treatment options.

Common Fungal Infections

Jock itch, or tinea cruris, is a red, itchy, often ring-shaped rash affecting the skin of our thighs, buttocks, or genitals. The rash typically spreads out from a groin skin-fold into a half-moon pattern on the thigh, sometimes bordered by a row of small blisters.

Preventive measures for jock itch are:


  • dry your groin area thoroughly after exercising or showering.
  • powder the groin area to prevent excess moisture.
  • if you sweat a lot, change your underwear often.
  • wear lightweight clothing in warm, humid weather.
  • wash your workout clothing after every use.
  • always use clean towels to dry off.
  • make sure your workout clothes and athletic equipment fit well so they do not chafe your skin (boxer shorts are kinder to the skin than briefs).
  • never share personal items, towels, or clothing.
  • treat athlete’s foot immediately since it can spread to the groin.

To treat jock itch your doctor will likely recommend an OTC antifungal spray, lotion, ointment, or powder. Even if the rash fades quickly, these treatments should be applied two times per day for at least ten days. If the rash persists, there are stronger medications, including pills, your physician can prescribe.


Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, typically starts between the toes of people whose feet become sweaty in snug shoes. It is also spread by contaminated clothing, towels, or floors. The infection appears as a scaly rash that stings, burns, and itches. Certain types of athlete’s foot cause blisters, ulcers, or dryness and scaling on the soles and sides of the feet.

Preventive actions for athlete’s foot are:

  • keep your feet, including the slots between your toes, dry.
  • go barefoot around the house when possible.
  • avoid shoes made of vinyl, rubber, or other synthetic material.
  • change your socks often if you sweat a lot.
  • avoid wearing the same shoes day after day—give each pair a chance to dry between outings.
  • wear shower shoes or waterproof sandals in public pools or shared showers.
  • sprinkle the antifungal or regular powder on your feet every day.
  • do not borrow or lend shoes.

To treat athlete’s foot your physician will likely recommend an OTC antifungal spray, lotion, ointment, or powder. If the rash persists, there are stronger topical medications or pills, your doctor can prescribe.


Ringworm of the body, or tinea corporis, is a red circular rash that forms on the top layer of skin. No worms are involved—the infection’s name is only descriptive of its appearance. Ringworm may or may not be itchy.

Protective measures against ringworm are:

  • be aware that ringworm is contagious and can be transferred from infected people or pets (an infected pet might have a patch of fur missing).
  • wash your hands often, especially when in public areas.
  • avoid excess sweating—wear lightweight clothing in humid, hot weather.
  • do not share personal grooming items, towels, or clothing.

Ringworm on the body usually responds to topical OTC antifungal products. Your doctor may prescribe antifungal pills for severe infections.

Ringworm of the scalp is more common among toddlers and school-age children. It usually appears as scaly and itchy bald patches. A doctor will likely prescribe medicated shampoo and an oral antifungal medication. Preventive measures are the same as for body ringworm plus regular shampooing—especially after a haircut.

Vaginal candidiasis, or a vaginal yeast infection, affects the tissues of the vulva and vagina. Symptoms are itching irritation, and discharge. Though it can be transmitted via oral-genital contact, it is not categorized as a sexually transmitted disease.

Precautions for vaginal infections are:

  • wear cotton undies and loose-fitting skirts or pants.
  • avoid douching, tight underwear, and pantyhose.
  • avoid extremely hot baths, and hot tubs.
  • change out of swimsuits or workout clothing ASAP.

For mild vaginal infections your doctor may recommend a short-course (one to three days) of OTC or prescription ointment, cream, suppository, or tablets, or a one-time oral dose of the antifungal drug Diflucan. Persistent infections will require a longer course of vaginal medications (one to two weeks), or multiple doses of Diflucan. Recurring infections may necessitate an ongoing treatment regimen.

Source: Mayo Clinic, ADA
Photo: Pexels


More Articles

With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.

Farro...

Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....

With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...

If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...

In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.

When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...

More Articles

If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....

For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.

A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...

According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...

Eleven Clinical Studies

After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...

Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...

Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...

Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...

Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...

Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....

When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...

Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.

The...

Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...

Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...

Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...

One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...