Diabetes and your Skin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

Diabetes

can affect every part of your body, including your skin. Diabetes that is not well controlled can damage blood vessels and nerves. Damage to blood vessels can make it hard for blood to flow to tissues and organs. A lack of blood flow to your skin can cause sores that are hard to heal. People with diabetes also have a higher risk for bacterial skin infections. Skin sores and infections can be hard to heal, or become life- or limb-threatening, if not treated early.

Call your doctor or care team provider if:

• You get a severe burn or cut.
• You have a sore that is painful, warm to the touch, or has redness around it.
• Your sore does not get better or seems to get worse.
• You have a fever.
• Your blood sugar levels continue to be higher than they should be.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Humalog
• Lantus
• Novolog
• metformin
• Ozempic

Common skin changes:

• Dry, flaky skin
• Skin tags on your eyelids, neck, or underarms
• Yellow color of your palms, soles of your feet, and nails
• Dark patches on your shins
• A constant redness of your face and neck
• Thick skin on the back of your hands and the top of your feet
• A smooth, dark thickness in the skin on your neck, groin, face, and underarms

Prevent skin sores:

• Keep your blood sugar within the target range. Your diabetes care team provider will tell you what your blood sugar levels should be. High blood sugar levels increase your risk for skin infections and poor wound healing.
• Keep your skin from getting too dry. Do not take hot baths or showers. Use moisturizing soap. Apply moisturizing lotion after baths or showers, especially in cold, dry weather. When you scratch dry, itchy skin, you can cause your skin to be open to infection. Use a humidifier to keep air in your home from being dry.
• Apply lotion or a moisturizer on your dry feet. Ask your care team provider what lotions are best to use. Do not put lotion or moisturizer between your toes. Moisture between your toes could lead to skin breakdown.
• Keep areas where skin touches skin dry. Use talcum powder in areas such as armpits, groin, or under your breasts. Moisture in these areas can cause a fungal infection.
• Treat cuts immediately. Clean minor cuts with soap and water. Cover them with sterile gauze.

Follow up with your doctor or care team providers as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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