Diabetic Dermopathy: Symptoms and Treatment

What is Diabetic Dermopathy

All skin pathologies differ into two major groups.

• Skin lesions are caused by complications of diabetes mellitus, especially neuro- and angiopathy, as well as metabolic disorders.
• Diabetic xanthomatosis,
• Diabetic dermatopathy,
• Diabetic blisters.

Secondary pathologies are called skin diseases, the causes of which are fungal and bacterial infections. This includes dermatosis caused by anti-diabetes, for example:

1. Reaction drug,
2. Urticaria,
3. Eczematous reactions.

Diabetic skin lesions usually last a long time and are characterized by frequent exacerbations. Treatment and diagnosis of dermatosis is the work of dermatologists and endocrinologists.

Diabetes-type dermopathy

Diabetic dermopathy is a change in the structure of small blood vessels, which can be expressed first as papules, then as hyperpigmentary scars.

A violation occurs in the presence of diabetes. Initially, red spots or papules appear on human skin, with a diameter of 5 to 10 mm. The violations are clearly visible in the photo.

Skin lesions usually appear on both extremities, but it is not uncommon for spots to form on other parts of the body. Places on the feet of diabetes do not require special treatment.

These are scaly formations of the light brown color of the round shape. Initially, many people take them for age points that form with age spots.

After a while, the spots merge with each other and become oval, and the skin in these areas becomes thinner.

The origin of dermopathy is still unclear to modern medicine. What exactly caused the skin deformities is not known, and dermopathy remains a mystery.

Usually, such skin disorders occur in men with a long history of diabetes. Symptomatology, most often, is not present. However, the affected areas may have:

There is currently no medical treatment for dermopathy. The state passes within a year - two years.

Diabetic dermopathy usually occurs with various complications of diabetes, most commonly with:

2 years after the appearance of the first places, all symptoms disappear. Instead of spots, pigmented skin appears, with varying intensity of color.

Diabetic dermopathy and microangiopathy are determined based on a biopsy of the affected skin. Many doctors believe the spots appear due to injuries, as in the photo. But when you hit a diabetic’s foot with a hammer, spots in this spot don’t appear.

Treatment by traditional methods

Currently, official medicine does not have an effective treatment for diabetic dermopathy. Doctors have come to the conclusion that violations occur in the unstable course of diabetes.

In order to reduce the occurrence of dermopathy, it is important to constantly monitor sugar levels, measurements before and after meals. In addition, it is necessary to control:

• Metabolic rate,
• Glycated hemoglobin concentration.

After making this diagnosis, doctors prescribe:

1. High doses of vascular preparations (even at normal sugar levels),
2. Lipoic acid
3. Vitamin B.

Traditional medicine

The use of folk remedies is allowed, it facilitates the well-being of the sick person. Thanks to popular recipes, the risk of developing dermopathy in diabetics are reduced.

Below are the most effective folk recipes: You need to take 100 g of celery root and 1 lemon. All the bones are removed from the lemon and the skin and pulp are mixed in a blender. Celery is also ground and mixed with lemon.

The resulting mixture should be placed for 1 hour in a water bath. The tool is taken in 1 teaspoon in the morning before meals. The course of treatment lasts at least two years. The mixture requires refrigerated storage.

Means of hyper circulation, oak bark, and mint leaves. All ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and filled with three glasses of water. The mass should be placed on medium heat and boiled, then cooled and strained. Moisten the broth with napkins and apply to the affected areas of the skin. This folk remedy relieves itching.

Aloe pulp. The plant is peeled and applied to inflamed areas of the skin.

Decoction of birch buds. The drug is needed to relieve itching and irritation. Moisten napkins in the soup and apply to the affected areas.

Trays of oak bark and succession. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions.

Preventive measures

In order to successfully prevent dermatosis, it is important to monitor your skin as follows:

• Use gentle household chemicals
• Apply moisturizer,
• Wear clothes made of natural fabrics, change them regularly,
• Remove the blisters and remove the cornified skin with a fin.

If a skin rash or sores appear, an urgent visit to a dermatologist is required.

The prognosis of the doctor directly depends on how effective the correction of metabolism and the general condition of patients with diabetes is.

What is diabetic dermopathy and how to avoid it?

The insidiousness of diabetes is manifested in the fact that in its flourishing development it destroys most vital organs, blocking the work of almost all metabolic processes: proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats, water, and salt.

The skin is so tender and sensitive that it simply cannot resist such a ruthless barbarian. Diabetic dermopathy is her amazing answer.

What do you need to know about it?

Diabetes-type dermopathy

Spotted lower leg (see picture), neurodermatitis is synonymous with one disease. Dermopathy, which is caused by diabetes, occurs due to painful changes in the structure of the small subcutaneous blood flow.

Blisters, papules that develop into hyperpigmented scars on the body, peeling, itching, thickening of the nails, accompanied by deformities - all these are symptoms of diabetic dermopathy.

The preferred site of the disease is the lower limbs - the area of ​​the lower leg. Although there are documented cases of damage to other parts of the body.

For unknown reasons, 80% of the risk group are men over forty - experienced diabetics.

It is extremely important to diagnose the disease early. Fungi and bacteria easily overlap with advanced disease, when a significant portion of the skin is damaged. All this, together with a weakened immune system, leads to multi-vector complications, the simplest of which is the structural evolution of sweat and sebaceous glands and hair follicles.

Diabetes is an "infection" that can cause dermopathy for any reason. When using the word “contagion,” don’t confuse emotions with truly contagious diseases, in which diabetes is not in the least related.

Speaking of causal factors, it is necessary to note the main:

• Running because of diabetes.
• Violation of metabolic processes.
• Diabetic angiopathy, lower extremity neuropathy. These diseases occur with generalized lesions of large and small blood channels.
• Complications of bacterial, fungal infection.
• Saturating the body with medications for diabetics.
• Decreased immunity resistance.
• The unsatisfactory skincare, violation of hygiene rules.
• Tight, uncomfortable shoes, clothes, and poor quality of the materials from which they are made (leather upholstery, various synthetics, polymers).

Both the causes and types of skin manifestations in diabetes can be different.

• Common diseases of diabetes:
• Loss of skin density
• A sharp difference between inflamed and healthy skin
• Thinning, loss of skin elasticity
• Plaque belt with crimson halo
• Nipple-like formation of warts
• Picture of possible manifestations on the skin in diabetes:

Traditional and folk treatment

Relieving diabetic dermopathy is a long-term process, because it is not an independent disease, but is considered a derivative of "offspring" of diabetes.

Therefore, in addition to measures to combat diabetes, complex treatment is applied. This is associated with minimizing aggravating diseases, one of which is dermopathy.

By beginning the restoration process and choosing medical tactics, the physician will first and foremost encourage the patient to strictly adhere to a diet for diabetics.

There is no point in convincing that without fulfilling this condition, all other measures will become a waste of time.

The following should be completely excluded from the diet of a patient suffering from dermopathy:

1. Spicy, salty dish.
2. Fatty, fried, dried, smoked, and meat products, as well as their derivatives: sausages, pastries, bacon, Balik, shin.
3. Marinated, canned products.
4. Alcoholic beverages of any form, including non-alcoholic beer.

We will not reveal the secret of the big one if we emphasize that it is necessary to eat in 5-6 receptions, with minimal portions, preferably at one time.

As far as drug therapy is concerned, there is certainly a positive development that allows us to talk about positive therapeutic and restorative dynamics.

That includes:

1. Dosage forms for treatment, recovery of blood vessels: Cavinton, Vinpocetine, Bravinton.
2. Metabolic drugs that improve metabolic processes: lipoic acid.
3. Vitamins: Vitamin B.

Of course, the people's councils, whose relevance and effectiveness have been tested for centuries, should not be rejected.

The most useful recommendations:

1. Chamomile infusion. Take a glass of boiling water, fill them with one large pinch of dry chamomile. Wait a couple of hours. Strain the liquid, add 1 teaspoon of honey. Moisten a towel and apply it to the affected area. It removes pain, itching and irritation very quickly.
2. Medicinal natural essence. Combine equal parts of oak bark, St. John's wort, mint leaves. Put on the fire 600 ml of water, add two tablespoons of the mixture. Heat, reduce heat, “cook” for another 30 minutes. After cooling, strain. Moisten a cloth dampened in broth. An amazing relieving result comes right away.
3. Lemon and celery. Take 100 g of celery, one lemon, from which the bones are removed. The lemon is ground with a mixer and the root is rubbed on the grater. Mix all the ingredients, sauté in a water bath for one hour. Chill, taken in the morning on an empty stomach, one tablespoon. The treatment is long-lasting (up to 24 months), but it pays off.
4. Relieves the suffering of aloe leaf pulp attached to wounds.
5. Relieve pain and itching baths from the series, oak bark.
6. Compressions of lush broth relieve pain symptoms, heal the skin.

Preventive measures

Preventive or preventive measures are important for every possible disease, and especially for diabetes and its derivative - diabetic dermopathy.

We have already talked about nutrition as a basic component.

Other proactive measures include the following:

• Take care of personal hygiene. Not every soap, even a very expensive shampoo, will approach sore skin. Pay attention to the indicated pH level. It is the one that causes allergic worsening, worsens the disease, dries the skin.
• Treat the process of cleansing tight skin extremely carefully. Use for this special tool, tools. Consult a dermatologist in advance, not when your uncontrolled “omniscience” will cause trouble.
• Examine hidden areas regularly, especially between the toes and toes. Prevent drying, cracking of the skin - this is an open portal for the penetration of bacteria and fungi.
• Try to wear a fabric that is used only from natural materials. Adjust the size carefully, as the adhesion will cause friction, irritation, and then inflammation.
• Carefully treat the affected skin. When using medications, be sure to listen to your doctor’s opinion. Do not tape the wounds.
• With active inflammation, do not wear thick shoes, which only worsens the clinical picture.

The recovery period lasts a long time, sometimes up to two years. This requires patient patience, strict adherence to developed medical tactics. In addition, the medical prognosis for recovery depends on the correction of metabolic processes and the general condition of diabetics. In the fight against this disease, you need to be an ally of the doctor.

Diabetic dermopathy - how to recognize and treat

Well-visible skin lesions develop in 50% of diabetics, erased changes and signs can be detected in almost all patients. Diabetic dermopathy is called the primary skin lesion that causes diabetes. The reason for these disorders is the same as for other complications - excess blood glucose and accumulation of products of pathological metabolism in tissues. As a consequence of the negative impact on the dermis, epidermis, follicles and glands, their structure and color change. Skin diseases in diabetes are usually not dangerous if they are not complicated by a bacterial or fungal infection.

It is important to know! A novelty recommended by endocrinologists for permanent monitoring of diabetes! It is only needed every day. Read more >>

What is dermopathy

Diabetic dermopathy looks like areas of atrophied rough dark brown skin. This disease is considered to be the most common cutaneous manifestation of diabetes. The most common spots appear symmetrically on the front surface of the lower leg and the outside of the foot, but other parts of the body can also be affected.

When the spots appear small, about 1 cm, round or oval, reddish or light brown. The relief and density of the skin often do not change, but there may be nodules that protrude slightly above the surface. Often, diabetic dermopathy in the early stages is taken as sunburn or age pigmentation. Gradually the number of places increases, they can connect and cover the whole leg. The skin on large areas thins and dries, it may itch or itch. In most cases, dermopathy is asymptomatic.

Features of the disease:

1. It appears only in diabetes, so dermopathy is a sure sign of high sugar.
2. This is more commonly seen in men with long-standing diabetes.
3. With concomitant polyneuropathy, pain or burns may be felt in the affected areas.
4. The spots themselves disappear after 2 years, and the appearance of new ones is not excluded.

To confirm the diagnosis of dermopathy, a medical examination and data on the patient's blood glucose are sufficient. For a differential diagnosis in suspicious cases, do a skin scraping with further research, examination with a Wood lamp.

Causes of diabetic problem

Histological and microscopic examinations of the skin have shown that diabetes mellitus significantly changes the structure of the skin, "age". It reduces the number of elastin fibers, connective tissue grows, reduces the synthesis of elastin, changes the composition of collagen. According to the structure, the skin of a 40-year-old patient with diabetes is close to the condition of the skin of a 60-year-old without problems with metabolism and hormones. The better the diabetes is under control, the worse the skin looks.

The main problems are peeling, dryness, a feeling of tightness, itching and hair loss. They are all the result of poor skin nutrition due to microangiopathy. It has been found that in areas with diabetic dermopathy all signs of angiopathy are noticed: capillaries are destroyed, arteriole walls and venules thicken.

The reasons for such changes are elevated sugar levels. He leads:

• Weakening of the walls of blood vessels due to the glycation of proteins in them;
• On the accumulation in the tissues of products of distorted metabolism - sorbitol and glycosaminoglycans. They exacerbate the defeat of blood vessels, negatively affecting nerve endings;
• On endothelial growth, the penetration of dead cells into the lumen of blood vessels.

Thus, the cause of pigment spots is a complete cessation of blood flow to the skin area. They are believed to cause the destruction of blood vessels by minor superficial injuries and scratching.

Dermopathy is a bright marker that indicates problems with blood vessels. The appearance of the site requires an unplanned diagnosis of other complications of diabetes. Simultaneously with dermopathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, arthropathy, and neuropathy develop.

What types of dermopathy exist

The most common skin diseases in diabetes are dermopathy in the legs, facial skin rubella, accordions, and hemorrhagic vasculitis. Less common are lipoid necrobiosis, pemphigus, xanthomatosis.

How is diabetic dermopathy treated?

There are no specific methods that can completely cure dermopathy. Therefore, physician efforts are focused on achieving normal glycemia, treating angiopathy, and neuropathy. It has been found that with the improvement of the condition of blood vessels, the manifestations of dermopathy decrease, new spots stop appearing, and older ones stop faster. If you perform the treatment in the early stages, you can achieve the opposite development of dermopathy within 2-3 months.

Drugs to normalize metabolism:

Do they suffer from high blood pressure? Did you know that hypertension causes heart attack and stroke? Normalize the pressure. 

• B vitamins, especially B3 - nicotinic acid. Intramuscular injections or tablets (Neuromultivitis, Milgamma Compositum, Angiovit, Mega B Complex) are prescribed;
• Thioctic (lipoic) acid, intravenous administration or drug in tablet form;
• Statins, mainly rosuvastatin.

Traditional methods of treatment

Plants with a high concentration of tannins are often used to treat wounds: oak and willow bark ornaments, St. John's wort. Ivana, strong tea. In diabetic dermopathy, these products can worsen the condition of the skin due to excessive drying. For the same reason, alcoholic liqueurs are also banned. The best way to accelerate tissue regeneration and the growth of new capillaries is aloe, a unique biogenic stimulator.

How to treat dermopathy with aloe:

1. Choose a healthy plant, a better aloe tree, in its absence - aloe vera, leave it without water for a week.
2. Cut off the bottom leaves, wrap them in paper and leave them in the fridge for 12 days.
3. Wash 1 sheet, sand it in porridge, put a bandage or cloth napkin, and apply dermopathy on the skin area for 20 minutes.

The first month of compression works every day. With the onset of improvement, go for 2 packs a week.

prevention

To avoid dermopathy, the patient should be constantly checked for diabetes mellitus: find a competent doctor and follow all his recommendations, play sports and pass medical examinations in a timely manner. Treatment for angiopathy and neuropathy should begin as soon as the first hardware abnormalities are detected.

Skincare is equally important. Use only pH-neutral shower gels for cleansing - skincare rules for diabetics. At the first signs of dryness and peeling, apply moisturizers with urea, better for patients with diabetes. Clothes must be as natural as possible, shoes must be comfortable and soft inside.

Contact your doctor immediately after the discovery of diabetic dermopathy. The sooner he starts treatment, the better his prognosis.

Be sure to learn! Do you think pills and insulin are the only way to keep your sugar under control? It's not true 

What is diabetic dermopathy?

Diabetes is a disease that manifests itself in the background of a violation of the natural process of insulin production. In the background of pathology, failures of carbohydrate, fluid, fat, and protein metabolism occur.

In diabetes, an increased concentration of glucose in the biological fluids of the human body is manifested. It is important to note that diabetes mellitus with proper control of its course is not dangerous. Possible complications are often due to poor quality or incomplete control during the illness.

Very often, diabetics face all types of skin lesions, in such cases, a diagnosis of dermopathy is made. Characteristic signs, which emphasize the fact that it is a violation, are dryness and itching of the skin.

Causes of diabetic dermopathy.

Causes of development

Against the background of an increase in blood glucose, a metabolic disorder is manifested in the skin, which activates the inflammatory process in the human body.

It is important too! Diabetes mellitus is often the cause of the development of dermopathy. Its occurrence often occurs after diagnosis, however, such changes can often confirm the fact of disease development.

Diabetic dermopathy develops in the layers of the skin on the background of disturbed blood circulation in the blood vessels and capillaries.

The following signs may indicate the development of pathology:

• Itchy skin;
• Peeling;
• Excessive dry skin;
• Burning sensation;
• Rash and redness.
• Add up;
• Inflammation of hair follicles;
• Purulent inflammation of the sebaceous glands;
• Fungal skin and nails;
• Erosive sites;
• Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the genitals in women;
• Foreskin inflammation in men.
• Cholesterol deposition in the form of focal accumulations;
• Skin discoloration to yellow;
• Connective tissue damage.
• Skin redness;
• Manifestation of age spots;
• Atrophy of the subcutaneous layers at the site of insulin injection;
• Skin lesions, which manifest against the background of circulatory disorders.

It should be borne in mind that lesions in diabetics are extremely severe and difficult to treat. Periods of remission are often replaced by exacerbations. The process of therapeutic treatment should be supervised by two specialists: a dermatologist and an endocrinologist.

Treatment

The main problem in treating dermopathy is that there are no therapies that would lead to positive results. Guidelines to ensure fast results should be developed individually.

Warning! There are certain techniques that reduce the recovery period and reduce the intensity of the symptoms of disturbing symptoms.

The scheme of therapy often involves the use of means presented in the arsenal of traditional and traditional medicine.

Medicines

There is currently no method of treating diabetic dermopathy, which gives a 100% result. Therapeutic effects are selected individually after a complete examination, including laboratory tests.

In some cases, in order to clarify in more detail the mechanisms of manifestation and features of pathological progress, a small piece of tissue is collected for microbiological examination.

The drug therapy scheme includes the use of the following tools:

Drugs that restore blood supply processes - Radomin, Curantil;

• B vitamins;
• Lipoic acid.
• Home gymnastics.

Treatment also involves continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels.

The exercise will benefit the patient:

• Swimming pool;
• Jogging;
• Outdoor sports that do not require special physical effort;
• Nordic walking

These methods of physical activity will significantly speed up the recovery process.

Methods of physiotherapy, whose action is aimed at ensuring the process of blood supply, are determined individually. Antifungal and antibacterial agents are often used to treat infectious dermatoses.

The patient must follow all the rules of hygiene.

Patients should remember to delay a visit to a specialist with the appearance of signs of dermatosis. The cost of delay is extremely high, dermopathy has signs of progress.

Traditional methods of treatment

How to treat diabetes dermopathy prompted by traditional medicine.

The list of popular products whose effectiveness has been tested is as follows:

• To improve the condition of the skin should take 2-3 times a week a warm bath with a decoction of herbs with antiseptic properties: oak bark, calendula, or wire (pictured). You must have an allergy test before using herbs.
• The broth, prepared on the basis of birch buds, will also help relieve itching and peeling. To prepare the composition, 50 grams of raw materials and 500 ml of boiling water are needed.
• Aloe is often used to treat dermopathy. You need to use a leaf of mature plants, which must first be placed in the refrigerator to increase its medicinal properties. You need to remove the thorns from the leaves and cut them together. Sap the plants to lubricate the affected areas.
• Bee products can also be used to treat dermopathy. Damaged areas should be lubricated with liquid, natural honey. The application is incubated for 2 hours, then washed with warm water. For convenience, the affected areas after application can be wrapped in a natural cloth, the bandage can be used for fixing. The instructions for use of the method also warn the patient of the risk of developing allergies. The method is prohibited for use in the presence of allergies.

Despite their effectiveness and safety, folk therapy methods should not be used as the primary means of therapy. The treatment plan should be determined by a dermatologist.

prevention

The occurrence of skin lesions is directly related to the general condition of the individual patient and the characteristics of diabetes.

In everyday life a diabetic should follow these rules:

• Personal Hygiene;
• Careful nail care;
• Use of natural care products;
• limiting contact with household chemicals;
• Use of natural fabric products, which wear natural underwear;
• Use of high-quality soothing creams and lotions.

There are currently no unambiguous prescriptions that ensure quality treatment and achieving sustainable results. This is due to the fact that the mechanism of development of diabetic dermopathy is currently not fully understood.