Beware of these 4 warning signs of diabetes that show up on your skin

The incidence of diabetes has increased in the last few years, and that’s not a good sign. We could blame it on our poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. For most of us, a typical day includes demolishing sweet and savoury processed foods and colas, with a side of Netflix. And although it sounds like fun, your body is crying for help!

Diabetes could sneakily make its way into your body, and you might still ignore the signs. Yes ladies, this illness affects several parts of your body, including your skin. And when your skin is affected, it means your blood sugar levels are too high. In many cases, this could also mean you have undiagnosed diabetes, or pre-diabetes, or your treatment for diabetes needs to be modified.

So if you notice any of these signs on your skin, it’s important to get immediate medical attention:

1. Hard, thickening skin

If you notice thickened skin on your fingers or toes, or both, that means your diabetes has not been taken care of. This condition has a medical name called digital sclerosis that is characterised by tight, waxy skin on the backs of your hands.

Besides, this thick and swollen-looking skin can spread and appear on your forearms and upper arms. In extreme cases, it can also be visible on your upper back, shoulders and neck, and restrict movement. The skin resembles the texture of an orange peel.

2. Blisters

This is another skin symptom that you must not ignore! Although blisters can appear on anyone’s skin, if you spot them every now and then, and all of a sudden, then it is a cause for concern. Blisters in diabetics generally appear on the hands, feet, legs, or forearms, and look more like burn marks. The only difference is these blisters are not painful.

3. Skin infections

Those who are diabetics are at a higher risk of suffering from skin infections, and if you find yourself getting frequent problems, that means there’s a big issue. You could have hot, swollen skin that is painful, an itchy rash or a group of blisters, dry scaly skin, or white discharge that resembles cottage cheese. Make sure not to ignore these symptoms at all!

In some cases, skin infections can also happen between your toes, around one or more of your nails, and your scalp.

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4. Open sores and wounds

If your diabetes is uncontrolled, it can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage. And eventually, it will be difficult for your body to heal wounds, especially on your feet. These open sores and wounds are known as diabetic ulcers. It’s important to look at your feet every day to notice any visible changes!

Don’t ignore any of the signs. After all, a stitch in time saves nine!