Diabetes is a chronic disease. While the disease itself is not fatal or life threatening, it does lead to various health complications and can cause or facilitate ailments that may lead to premature death. Diabetes affects everything from appetite to blood composition, bodyweight to cardiovascular health, functions of liver and kidneys, eyesight and skin problems, nerve damage and the immune system among others.
There are different subclinical disciplines dealing with the side effects and fallouts of diabetes. For instance, diabetic neuropathy deals with nerve related disorders or problems caused by diabetes.
The Science Behind Dry Skin
Diabetics often have dry skin. There is a simple explanation and a more complicated cause. The simple cause is the consistently high levels of glucose in the blood that lead to cells losing fluid and hence drying up. This leads to dryness that is quite obvious when you assess the condition of your skin.
Diabetes also interferes with different types of neural activity, such as it may block the signal to your arms and legs to sweat so your skin is moist and soft. There can be skin infections. Poor blood circulation may worsen various prevailing conditions and cause new ones.
It is imperative for diabetics to take good care of their skin. This should actually be a proactive approach. If you already have itchy, scaly and flaky skin, then you must choose appropriate dry skin treatments.
Preventive Dry Skin Treatments Diabetics
The first step is to protect your skin from the natural elements. You must shield yourself from cold wind, unusually warm or hot breeze, excessive water and sunlight. Wear protective clothing including hats, gloves and bigger boots or shoes.
You should consider covering your face, ears and nose. Use a sunscreen whenever you step out during the day. Opt for a sunscreen with SPF 30 at least. Apply it at least half an hour before venturing outside.
[Link: Why You Should Switch To A Mineral Sunscreen]
Keep your skin hydrated, ideally at all times. You may use a mild lip balm so you do not have chapped lips. Use a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. Again, you should ideally moisturize your skin in the morning and at night. You may consider an all day moisturizer. Do not use cleansers or face washes that are harsh on your skin. This would cause dry skin or worsen the problem.
Fighting Humidity
When the mercury dips and takes the relative humidity down along, you should consider using a humidifier so there is enough ambient moisture. Heated indoors can become drier. Likewise, if you are in a hot and arid climate, you are likely to use an air conditioner and there may be very little humidity inside. You may have to use a humidifier during summers too.
For those living in hot and humid conditions, using a dehumidifier may be necessary. Lack of moisture is bad. Exposure to excessive moisture is also not ideal. This would force your sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum or oil, which may escape with sweat and you may be left with dry skin.
Lower The Heat
Avoid hot showers. Use lukewarm water. Limit the time you expose your skin to warm water. Do not use harsh soaps or gels. Avoid long sessions in the bathtub. Do not go for spa treatments that would cause more harm than good. Do not rub your skin after a shower. Just pat gently to absorb the moisture. Use mild moisturizers or lotions.
Do not use any product that is loaded with chemicals. Do not use multiple skincare products. The fewer you use, the better it is in the long term. Consult a dermatologist if you have acne or any serious skin condition. Avoid products that are comedogenic.
Responsive Dry Skin Treatments Diabetics
It is anyway necessary for diabetics to keep the blood glucose level firmly in check. Any spike or sustained high blood sugar would lead to dry skin. It is difficult to treat dry skin when your sugar is not in check.
Eat a healthy diet, avoid all foods that cause a spike, take your medicines on time, exercise and take care of hygiene. If you have a history of skin ailments, then you should be more conscious of what you apply and how you treat prevailing conditions.
Be Prepared
Keep a first aid kit handy so whenever you have excessive dryness or any discomfort, there is a solution that you can reach out to. The kit should have an antibacterial ointment, hypoallergenic tape, gauze pads and prepackaged cleansing wipes.
Learn how to deal with blisters, especially to avert an infection. Take care so you do not inflict cuts while prepping for a meal. Use sharp objects carefully. Be proactive with open wounds and always consult a dermatologist if you experience unusual symptoms.
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