Is That Summer Rash Caused By Diabetes?
Skin problems are a common side effect of living with diabetes. Damage to blood vessels and nerves as well as poor circulation can predispose diabetic individuals to various types of rashes, infections, and complications related to the skin.
Summer is a time when these issues may flare up more, due to hot weather and excessive sweating. So before you chalk up inflamed skin to plain old heat rash or sunburn, learn the warning signs that your skin condition may be caused by diabetes.
Fungal Infections
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), candida overgrowth is the common cause of fungal infections in people with diabetes.
Candida is a yeast-like fungus that can thrive both internally and externally (on the skin) when there is a blood sugar imbalance - candida survives and multiplies in the presence of sugar and carbohydrates.
Often mistaken for heat rash, candida rash can show up in areas prone to sweating, like under the breasts, in the folds of your arms or in the groin.
Symptoms may vary, but candida rash - and other types of fungal infections - may include blotchy red patches, small and raised bumps or a ring-shaped itchy patch (ringworm).
Diabetic Dermopathy
Diabetic dermopathy is a condition that is often mistaken for sun spots or age spots. It shows up in light brown, scaly patches that usually occur on the fronts of the legs. The spots usually don't itch or hurt.
According to the ADA, diabetic dermopathy is harmless, but it may be exacerbated by hot weather or exfoliation.
General Itching
Common summer rashes caused by sunburn, water parasites or the heat may cause intense itching.
But localized itching is often a sign of diabetes, too. Poor circulation and dry skin can be the cause, or it could also be something more serious, like an allergic reaction to medication or insulin. Monitor your injection sites for redness or itching, and see a doctor if you have blisters, sores or a rash that doesn't resolve itself within a few weeks.
Source: American Diabetes Association, Healthline
Photo: Pixabay
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