Elder Care Cafe

Welcome back!

An important ingredient in diabetes management is good skin care. A diabetic’s skin loses fluid when his or her blood sugar is high. When the skin is dry, scratching can irritate the skin causing sores or breaks in the skin that can allow germs to enter and cause an infection.

Diabetic nerve damage can also cause dry skin due to less sweating which can keep the skin moist.

There are several ways a diabetic can keep their skin soft and healthy:

• Washing with mild soap, rinsing, and completely drying the skin will help prevent skin problems. Pay special attention to the areas where skin meets skin such as the groin area, under the breasts, and between the toes. Use talcum powder to keep those areas dry.
• Use mild soap or shampoo on all areas of the body.
• Avoid using very hot water, as this will dry out the skin. After toweling off the moisture, use a skin lotion to keep the skin moisturized. Do not use lotion between the toes.
• During winter months, keep the humidity high in the home helps the skin stay moisturized.
• Drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated.
• Wear all-cotton underwear so air can more easily move around the body.
• Perform a skin-care check after every shower or bath. Check for cuts, breaks in the skin, redness, or dry patches. Immediately treat minor cuts by washing with mild soap and water. Use an antibiotic cream approved by your doctor.
• See a podiatrist regularly, and call in between visits when problems crop up. Do not let skin problems get out of control.

For diabetics, foot care is an important part of their overall diabetic regimen. It is surprising how quickly the most minor skin problem can zoom out of control.

Diabetics must stay on high alert when it comes to skin and foot care because of their problems with poor blood flow. The best cure for skin problems is proper management of their diabetes.

A comprehensive article for diabetics is located on WebMD by clicking on this link. The article goes into specific detail about various skin care conditions related to diabetes and is well worth taking the time to read. You can easily print out the information to keep it handy.

Another handy guide can be found at the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC).

Related Posts:

• August 13, 2009 -- Nursing Homes and Communication Skills
• October 28, 2009 -- Wearing the Right Shoes Can Help Prevent Falls
• September 22, 2009 -- More Than 35 Million Worldwide Now Have Dementia
• August 26, 2009 -- Pre-Diabetes is no Laughing Matter
• August 13, 2009 -- Sleep and Diabetes – Is There a Connection?