7 Tips for preventing diabetic dry skin

Diabetics suffer from dry skin as your body uses lots of water to make urine and remove excess glucose from the blood. Moreover, fluctuating blood glucose levels lead to skin changes. In addition to this, as a diabetic your diabetic condition constantly breaks down your skin defenses and leads to more skin problems.

This is why you need to take preventive measures to take care of your dry skin. As everyone’s skin is different, it’s left to you to try various treatments till you find the best treatment for your diabetic dry skin.

1. As persistent high blood sugar levels is associated with dry and itchy skin, skin infections, rashes and other skin problems, the best way to control all these problems is by maintaining a constant and good sugar level.

1. Though it may itch, do not scratch dry and itching areas. It only breaks the skin and makes the spot prone to infections. Regularly use an effective moisturizer to avoid these infections, and to minimize dryness and itching.

1. If you have any wounds, don’t use harsh antiseptics like alcohol, mercurochrome or iodine to clean the wounds. Instead, wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide and cover with a sterile gauze.

1. As your armpits, groin and the crease under your breasts can lead to breaking down of the skin and infections with continual chafing, always keep these areas clean and dry. If required, use talcum powder to keep the areas dry.

1. While it’s better to bathe less in the cold, dry months, it’s also better to avoid hot showers and baths. Also use moisturizing soaps like Dove for bathing and work at keeping your house more humid in the cold and dry months.

1. As your feet tend to sweat less than normal because of your diabetes and lead to dryness and cracking, use a skin softener cream regularly to prevent this. It also helps provide relief in the dryness and cracking which develops.

1. If you have diabetes, you have the potential of developing foot ulcers. Your risks are higher if you have neuropathy in your feet and can’t sense temperature changes, have fungal and nail infections, have dry and cracked feet and poorly trimmed nails. So keep checking your feet every day for signs of injury. Wear well-fitting shoes which are free of foreign objects before wearing them.

So if you are a diabetic, these 7 tips should help prevent your developing dry skin and its harmful consequences.