Type 2 diabetes patients are more prone than the average population to develop skin infections. Skin manifestations of diabetes(type 2) can occur for a variety of different reasons, but whatever the source, good metabolic control can help to lessen or prevent them. In addition to this, any person with skin manifestations of diabetes type 2 should seek appropriate medical treatment from a dermatologist or diabetologist before the condition has a chance to worsen.

Almost all diabetics develop skin complications at one time or another. The long-term effects of the disease cause problems with microcirculationand wear on skin collagen as well. In fact, the most serious skin manifestations of diabetes develop in patients who have had diabetes for many years. Those who have only had diabetes for a short time are not immune to skin manifestations in diabetes, however. Problems often develop as a result of medications which also have dermal side effects. Whatever the case, diabetes skin manifestations could serve as a point of entry for secondary infections. Therefore, they should always be an important concern.

Some skin manifestations of diabetes type 2 are:

Yellow nails – Older type 2 diabetics tend to have yellow nails. It is thought to be caused by glycosylation and is similar to the yellow color normally found in diabetic skin.

Diabetic thick skin – One of the most common skin manifestations in type 2 diabetes is a thickening of the skin with the increase of age, which is very much unlike normal aging skin.

Skin tags – These are soft, small, pigmented lesions which usually form on the eyelids and neck. They may be a sign of insulin resistance or cardiovascular problems. In addition, they are easily removed and treatment is not necessary.

 

Skin Manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus

 

Type 2 diabetes is not the only type of diabetes that is troubled with skin problems. All skin manifestations of diabetes mellitus should be of concern. Patients with type 1 diabetes tend to have autoimmune related skin lesions, for example. According to CCJM.org, common skin manifestations of diabetes mellitus include:

Periungual telangiectasia – These skin lesions appear as red, dilated capillary veins which result from a loss of capillary loops and the dialation of the remaining capillaries.

Necrobiosislipoidica – This is a far less common cutaneous condition, but can be serious as 35% of these skin manifestations of diabetes mellitus end up forming ulcerations. It is described as nonscaling plaques with a yellow center and a border which may be raised. Both type1 and type 2 diabetics can be affected by this, but this condition forms much earlier in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Bullosisdiabeticorum – this is a skin condition that occurs most often in male type 1 patients or in patients that have had diabetes for a long time, coupled with peripheral neuropathy. The skin conditions usually forms spontaneously on the lower legs or feet, and sometimes on the hands and forearms. It is described by CCJM.org as having an asymptomatic bullae containing sterile fluid on a non-inflamed base.

Vitiligo – This condition occurs more often as one of the manifestations of diabetes type 1. Patients with vitiligo are advised to avoid sunlight and use a broad spectrum of sunscreens.