You At Your Best

special to You at Your best Skin problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Some are cause for concern, while others may simply be a cosmetic issue. Regardless, you should keep an eye out for changes in your skin and talk to your doctor about any concerns you have—it's better to be safe than sorry. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early. Some of these problems are skin conditions anyone can have, but people with diabetes get more easily. These include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems happen mostly, or only, to people with diabetes. These include diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic blisters, and eruptive xanthomatosis. There are several things you can do to prevent skin problems: • Keep your diabetes well managed. People with high glucose levels tend to have dry skin and less ability to fend off harmful bacteria. Both conditions increase the risk of infection. • Keep skin clean and dry. • Avoid very hot baths and showers. If your skin is dry, don't use bubble baths. Moisturizing soaps may help. Afterward, use a standard skin lotion, but don't put lotions between toes. The extra moisture there can encourage fungus to grow. • Prevent dry skin. Scratching dry or itchy skin can open it up and allow infection to set in. Moisturize your skin to prevent chapping, especially in cold or windy weather. • Treat cuts right away. Wash minor cuts with soap and water. Only use an antibiotic cream or ointment if your doctor says it's okay. Cover minor cuts with sterile gauze. See a doctor right away if you get a major cut, burn, or infection. • During cold, dry months, keep your home more humid. Bathe less during this weather, if possible. • Use mild shampoos. • Do not use feminine hygiene sprays. • See a dermatologist (skin doctor) about skin problems if you are not able to solve them yourself. • Take good care of your feet. Check them every day for sores and cuts. Wear broad, flat shoes that fit well. Check your shoes for foreign objects before putting them on. • Talk to your doctor or dermatologist if you are not able to solve a skin problem yourself. DIAbetes & your skin special to You at Your best Life with diabetes can be challenging, especially when the disease leads to additional complications like vision problems. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that diabetes affects the eyes when blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. The damage to the eyes caused by diabetes occurs over time and can contribute to poor vision and, in certain instances, blindness. As their vision worsens, people with diabetes may be diagnosed with diabetic eye disease, which is an umbrella term used to describe a handful of conditions. These are some of the conditions included under the umbrella of diabetic eye disease: Diabetic retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, which is the inner lining at the back of each eye. The retina senses light and turns it into signals that the brain then decodes. When a person has diabetic retinopathy, damaged blood vessels affect the retina. These blood vessels may weaken, bulge or leak into the retina during early stages of the disease. If the disease worsens, some blood vessels may close off and cause new blood vessels to grow on the surface of the retina. Serious vision problems can develop when this occurs. Diabetic macular edema The Mayo Clinic reports that diabetic macular edema occurs when tiny bulges protrude from the vessel walls and leak or ooze fluid and blood into the retina. This leakage causes swelling in the macula, which is the central part of the retina. This is a serious issue, as the NIDDK notes that the macula is necessary for reading, driving and seeing faces. Swelling in the macula can eventually contribute to partial vision loss or blindness. Cataracts Cataracts is not exclusive to people with diabetes. However, the NIDDK reports that the risk for cataracts is greater for people with diabetes than it is for people who are not diabetic. Cataracts are a condition marked by a clouding of the lens of the eye. When a cataract clouds over the lens of the eye, the eye cannot focus light in the way it needs to. That can lead to blurry vision or vision loss. Cataracts can occur naturally as a person ages, but cataracts can form more quickly in people with diabetes. Glaucoma Glaucoma also is an umbrella term that refers to various conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a bundle of nerves that connects the eye to the brain. The NIDDK notes that diabetes doubles a person's chances of having glaucoma. Glaucoma is often marked by gradual vision loss, and as glaucoma worsens, individuals may begin to notice they can no longer see things off to the side. Early treatment of glaucoma can prevent further damage, though there's no cure. If glaucoma is not treated early, it can lead to vision loss and blindness. Diabetic eye disease can have serious consequences. Individuals with diabetes must be vigilant and address any issues with their vision immediately. DIAbetes & your eyes 8 | You at Your best | YouatYourbest.NwaoNliNe.com November - beatiNg the betes | suNDaY, october 30, 2022

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