THE SKIN &
BLOOD FLOW WITH DIABETES
Our
skin provides many vital functions, among them protection from infection,
warnings via sensation and temperature regulation. Blood flow provides the skin with nutrients
and oxygen. A disease like diabetes that
affects blood flow will cause 1/3 of diabetics to develop skin problems over
their lifetime if blood sugar is not under control and preventive care is not
taken.
Blood
flow is affected on several levels; the vessels and the blood itself. Elevated blood sugar levels cause narrowing
of all sized vessels by buildups of sugar based complexes within the walls of
the vessels, thus causing narrowing.
Furthermore, there is inflammation within the blood vessels and actual
changes within the structure of red blood cells themselves. The result is a reduced supply of blood to
all structures within the skin.
Controlled blood sugar levels reduce the damages and also keep the
moisture content of the skin normal.
It
is vital to maintain and protect the skin from developing problems because
diabetics are also more susceptible than the unaffected population to problems
should they develop. The skin becomes
thin, dry, heals slower, looses its protective barrier from bacteria and in the
feet may loose its protective sensation.
These problems may progress to bacterial and fungal infections,
inability to feel blisters or ulcers and serious loss of toes, the feet and even
lower legs. Infections alter blood sugar levels, thus setting up a vicious
cycle. The skin should be checked
frequently, moisturized, cleansed, protected, and feet properly dried. Preventive care is key so avoid adhesive
tapes (see Tapeless
and Diabetes), abrasives, poorly fitted shoes, tight apparel and a maintain the
proper diet.
