Diabetic skin diseases are mainly manifested as dry skin, pruritus, infectious skin lesions, hyperpigmentation, and diabetic bullae. These conditions are associated with long-term hyperglycemia, microangiopathy, nerve damage, decreased immune function, and metabolic disorders.
- Dry Skin
In diabetic patients, hyperglycemia accelerates skin water loss and reduces sebaceous gland secretion, leading to dry, desquamated skin with possible fissures in severe cases. Daily care requires hypoallergenic moisturizers and avoidance of excessive cleansing. - Pruritus
Hyperglycemia irritates cutaneous nerve endings. Urea deposition aggravates pruritus when complicated with renal insufficiency. Symptoms present as generalized or localized intractable itching, worsening at night. - Infectious Skin Lesions
Impaired immunity predisposes secondary bacterial infections (e.g., furuncles) and fungal infections (e.g., candidal intertrigo). Lesions appear as erythema, pustules, or erosions. - Hyperpigmentation
Velvety dark-brown plaques develop in skin folds such as the neck and axillae, known as acanthosis nigricans, which correlates with insulin resistance. Some patients present pigmented purpuric rashes on lower extremities. - Diabetic Bullae
Sudden painless blisters appear on hands, feet, and limbs with tense walls and clear fluid content, associated with microangiopathy. Wound cleanliness must be maintained to prevent secondary infection.
Diabetic patients should inspect skin daily. Seek immediate medical attention for signs of infection such as skin breakage or suppuration.