A number of skin conditions can affect people with diabetes. Nerve and small blood vessel damage can make dry skin worse in people with diabetes. Keeping the skin well hydrated is important because any cracks or fissures could easily become infected. In addition to being uncomfortable, the itchiness of dry skin may cause a scratch or abrasion that also poses an infection risk.

Use a humidifier in the home and office, and avoid exposure to harsh detergents and household cleaners that are notorious for drying out skin. If you keep a bottle of hand lotion next to the soap at the kitchen and bathroom sinks, you'll be more likely to remember to use it after each hand washing. Make sure the soap you use for washing is mild.

“Tougher” areas of the skin, such as the soles of the feet, may benefit from a moisturizing lotion containing urea (for moisture) and alpha-hydroxy, or AHA (for sloughing off dead skin). It's a good idea to run any new products past your doctor or CDE (certified diabetes educator) first. Certain areas of your body should be kept dry. Using baby powder in the armpits, between the toes, and other moisture-prone skin-fold areas can help to prevent fungal infections.

People with diabetes frequently develop thickened, shiny areas of skin caused by changes to the collagen fibers. A tendency toward yellow-tinted skin and nails, too, may be triggered by collagen changes (although the cause of this phenomenon isn't completely understood).

Other skin conditions that are common in people with diabetes include the following:

• Acanthosis nigricans: Dark, thickened brown patches in the folds of the skin that are common in overweight people with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

• Bacterial infections: Staph or strep infections in the skin that may appear as styes, boils, or cellulitis.

• Fungal infections: Usually occur in warm, moist areas such as skin folds. Candidiasis (yeast infection), tinea pedis (athlete's foot or ringworm), and tinea cruris (jock itch or ringworm) are all common fungal infections.

• Diabetic dermopathy: Brown, scaly rounded patches on the skin that frequently appear on the shins and usually heal on their own.

• Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum: Changes in the collagen of the skin that cause large, raised, red, shiny, and sometimes itchy spots. If the spots rupture, they will require proper wound care.

Several other, less common conditions that may occur in the presence of uncontrolled high blood sugars include bullosis diabeticorum (diabetic blisters) and eruptive xanthomatosis (small, yellow, red-ringed bumps). Both of these conditions usually resolve themselves once blood glucose levels are brought back under control.

Remember, bacterial and fungal infections of the skin require immediate attention and prescription medication to resolve. A dermatologist can diagnosis and properly treat any skin conditions you develop, and is yet another essential member of your diabetes care team.