High glycemia values for a long time, that is, when diabetes is not properly controlled, causes alterations and damage to many organs of the body.The skin does not escape this, and reflects in various ways this important metabolic alteration.
For example, many long -lasting diabetic people have thicker skin, which can be seen above all in the neck and shoulders.The coloration is usually yellowish, something that is also observed at the nail level.In the hands, the increase in the skin thickness can even lead to limit the movement at the fingertips of the fingers, causing a notorious rigidity.
The so -called acanthosis nigricans is characterized by thickening and darkening of the skin at the neck level and the posterior sector of the neck, armpits, English, knuckles and can also be seen under the breasts.It can be considered as a marker of insulin resistance, being very common in obese people.
The redness at the level of the face is correlated directly with high values glycemia, of many times alerting both the doctor and the patient of a possible lack of control.
But, above all, diabetes is a factor that favors infections produced by opportunistic germs that enter through wounds, sometimes so small that they can go unnoticed.These can be caused both by bacteria, which lead to the development of cellulite or eryspelas, as well as fungi such as candida or dermatophytes.
The alteration of the blood vessels that occur in diabetes is manifested at the level of the lower limbs such as skin atrophy, hair loss, coldness and nail dystrophy.The affectation of the nervous system, both at the motor and sensitive level, causes a sensation of tingling in the feet, which is sometimes experienced as "walking between cotton", and different degrees of loss of sensitivity and anesthesia.To all this is added a bad support and together with the repeated trauma in the area, they lead to the development of ulcer lesions known as "diabetic foot."
That is why care measures should be extreme in these patients, taking into account from the use of adequate footwear to proper podiatric and dermatological control.
It is important to underline that many of these alterations can be prevented and even reverse if glycemia figures are controlled, for which it is essential to attend medical consultation periodically, as well as correctly comply with the indications.