Diabetic skin can look dry, itchy, and cracked, but also develops specific conditions like Diabetic Dermopathy (light brown, scaly spots on shins), Necrobiosis Lipoidica (shiny, yellow-red patches with visible blood vessels), Acanthosis Nigricans (dark, velvety patches in folds like neck/armpits), or Bullosis Diabeticorum (painless blisters). These changes often stem from poor circulation or nerve damage, requiring good blood sugar control and proper skin care.
When diabetes affects your skin, your blood sugar may have been too high over time.
Fungal infections: A yeast called Candida albicans causes most fungal infections in people with diabetes. You'll have moist areas of tiny red blisters or scales that itch. Skin fungus tends to affect skin folds, including under the breast, between fingers and toes, around nailbeds, and in the armpits and groin.
Hard, thickening skin
If you have diabetes, hard, thick, and swollen-looking skin can develop, even when diabetes is well controlled. The medical name for this condition is scleredema diabeticorum. Often developing on the upper back, the skin thickens and tightens slowly over months or years.
Yes, diabetes can cause easier bruising and slow-healing bruises due to high blood sugar damaging blood vessels, affecting skin elasticity (thinning it), and impacting nerve function, which reduces sensation to minor injuries. Poor circulation from diabetes also means bruises take longer to heal because less oxygen and fewer nutrients reach the skin, impairing repair. Bruising can also occur from needles used for glucose monitoring or insulin injections, which can be more noticeable in diabetics.
Diabetes-related dermopathy (often called “shin spots”) is a fairly common skin condition that affects people who are living with diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes-related dermopathy looks like small, round pink, reddish or brown patches on your skin.
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Five early signs of diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, fatigue, blurry vision, and slow-healing sores or frequent infections, stemming from high blood sugar levels that affect the body's ability to use glucose for energy, leading to these common symptoms.
Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs. You may be able to treat itching yourself.
Take care when cleaning your skin
Do not shower more than once a day, and for no longer than five minutes. Keep the water temperature below 37°C. If you bathe, use a moisturizing oil – try not to use bubble bath or bath salts.
Changes in blood sugar can cause rapid changes in mood and other mental symptoms such as fatigue, trouble thinking clearly, and anxiety. Having diabetes can cause a condition called diabetes distress which shares some traits of stress, depression and anxiety.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves of the arms, hands, legs and feet become damaged by diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to numbness, loss of sensation, and sometimes pain.
Yes, sugar can contribute to the development of acne and spots (5). Consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, which in turn cause a rise in insulin levels. Elevated insulin can increase oil production in the skin, leading to clogged pores, spots and acne.
One possible sign of prediabetes is darkened skin on certain parts of the body. Affected areas can include the neck, armpits and groin. Classic signs and symptoms that suggest you've moved from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes include: Increased thirst.
How To Manage Diabetes Skin Problems
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
Aim for at least eight cups of water per day and try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
Pruritus is one of the most common symptoms experienced by patients with cholestatic liver disease. Pruritus associated with cholestasis is characteristically localized to the palms and soles, although generalized itching can also occur.
Symptoms at night
If diabetic hypoglycemia happens when you're sleeping, symptoms that may disturb your sleep include: Damp sheets or nightclothes due to sweating. Nightmares. Tiredness, irritable mood or confusion when you wake up.
Red flag signs of diabetes symptoms
Urinating frequently. Feeling extremely hungry or thirsty. Feelings similar to drunkenness. Unusual behaviors, which may also indicate low blood sugar.
How do I check?
Avoid sugary drinks whenever possible because not only can they raise blood sugar levels, but they can also contribute many calories to the recommended daily calorie intake.
Drink more water
“Water helps your kidneys filter out excess sugar through urine,” says Khan. “So, the more hydrated you are, the more urine production you'll have, which flushes out sugar in the body.” Always opt for water instead of sugary drinks, like soda and juice.
Physical symptoms: reduced activity, low energy, tiredness, decreased physical endurance, increased effort to do physical tasks, general weakness, heaviness, slowness or sluggishness, nonrestorative sleep, and sleepiness.
Signs and symptoms of a diabetic emergency