Understanding Diabetic Itching: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Jakarta: When we feel itchy, we generally scratch it as a natural reaction. Yes, itching is a common condition. These complaints often go away on their own, but sometimes they are severe enough to interfere with daily activities.

Itching is also influenced by many factors. For example, because of a skin disease, a scar that is about to dry, or it could be a sign that you are suffering from a certain disease.

In addition to the usual itching, itching can also be a symptom of diabetic polyneuropathy. This is a condition that develops when diabetes causes nerve damage. Certain skin conditions that develop as a result of diabetes can also cause itchy skin.

In other words, a person with diabetes shouldn’t ignore itchy skin. Dry, irritated, or itchy skin is more likely to become infected for people with diabetes than those who don’t have the condition. So, here are the differences between normal skin itching and itching due to diabetes that you should know.

The difference between normal itching and diabetic itching

As reported by the Medical News Today page, diabetes can cause local itchy areas. There are several reasons why people with diabetes may experience itching more often than others. Sometimes, itching can result from damage to the nerve fibers in the outer layer of the skin.

Often, the cause of diabetes-related itching is diabetic polyneuropathy or peripheral neuropathy. This is a diabetes complication that develops when high blood glucose levels cause damage to nerve fibers, especially in the feet and hands.

(Diabetic itching is more often accompanied by fungal or bacterial infections of the skin than when you experience ordinary itching. Photo: Illustration/Doc. Unsplash.com)

Meanwhile, quoting from Halodoc, the difference between regular itching and diabetes itself lies in the cause. Itching usually occurs due to a viral, fungal, or bacterial infection.

Meanwhile, itching due to diabetes originates from blood vessels, so that in many cases, itching in people with diabetes can cause sores. Unfortunately, these two conditions will be very difficult to distinguish by naked eye.

Recent research suggests that increased cytokines may ultimately have something to do with diabetic nerve damage.

Occasionally, persistent itching may indicate that a person with diabetes is at risk for nerve damage due to increased cytokine levels.

Some people with diabetes may experience itchy skin as a side effect of a new medication or have an allergic reaction to it.

Diabetic skin condition

Sometimes an underlying skin condition can cause itching. People with diabetes may be more susceptible to certain skin conditions and infections than people who don’t have diabetes. For example:

– Fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot and itching in the groin can cause itching. The skin may also become red, hot, or swollen. Sometimes, small blisters develop and ooze fluid. The yeast-like fungus Candida albicans is often responsible for this infection.

– Necrobiosis lipoidica diabetics (NLD), is a rare skin that usually develops on the lower legs. NLD starts as a dull red spot with a raised surface that develops into a scar-like lesion with dark borders. This can cause pain and itching.

– Eruptive xanthomatosis, more common in people with type 1 diabetes. This condition forms yellow, pea-sized lesions on the skin. These spots often occur on the legs, feet, hands, arms and buttocks. Each bump will have a red ring around it and may itch.

People can also experience hives as a result of poor circulation. In this case, itching is more likely on the bottom of the foot.

Skin products that contain strong fragrances, dyes, and soaps can dry out the skin, causing itching. The skin can also be dry or sensitive in winter.

(TIN)