Topic: Diabetes mellitus
Question: Enumerate various skin complications of diabetes?
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Diabetes can lead to various skin complications due to high blood sugar levels damaging blood vessels and nerves. Some common skin complications of diabetes include:
1. Diabetic dermopathy: Brown or pink scaly patches on the skin caused by changes in small blood vessels. Usually on the shins. Harmless but may be cosmetically unsatisfactory.
2. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum: Raised plaques with a violet border and dimpled center, usually on the legs. The plaques tend to enlarges and ulcerate. Can be difficult to treat.
3. Eruptive xanthomatosis: Yellowish bumps on the skin due to fatty deposits under the skin. May appear suddenly on upper body, arms and thighs. Usually indicates poorly controlled diabetes with high triglyceride levels. Treating the underlying diabetes and triglycerides can help resolve the bumps.
4. Digital sclerosis: Thickening and tightness of the skin over the knuckles and small joints of the hands. May impair finger mobility and dexterity if severe. Improved blood sugar control may help prevent progression.
5. Diabetic blisters (Bullosis diabeticorum): Spontaneous blisters on the hands and feet lasting for days or weeks. Usually painless and clear but may get infected if burst. The cause is unknown but may be related to diabetic neuropathy. Often difficult to treat.
6. Skin infections: Diabetics are prone to bacterial infections like styes, boils, folliculitis, carbuncles and infected injuries due their high sugar levels and impaired immunity. Timely medical treatment and diabetes management is needed.
7. Diabetic dermangiopathy: Caused by changes in small blood vessels reducing circulation. Leads to thin skin, impaired healing of cuts and scratches, shiny skin and brown patches (diabetic dermopathy).
8. Diabetic neuropathy: Damage to nerves can cause sensation changes like numbness or pain in the extremities as well as impaired wound healing. Care must be taken to avoid injuries and properly care for wounds.
9. Dry skin: High sugar levels cause loss of moisture and natural oils in the skin. Frequent use of moisturizers and skin hydration is needed.
So in summary, diabetes is associated with a variety of skin complications like rashes, infections, sores and circulatory problems due to high blood sugar levels damaging blood vessels and nerves in the skin. Good diabetes control and skin care can help prevent and manage many of these problems.
