Skin Care Tips when your Diabetes: (Homemade
care)
Managing diabetes is about eating right, exercising, and
following your doctor’s recommendations. But there are other considerations.
For instance, many people with diabetes don’t realize the importance of skin
care. With that in mind, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Hydrate – keeping skin hydrated with a moisturizing body
lotion or cream helps relieve the itch associated with dry skin while
preventing irritation and cracking. Dry skin thoroughly and moisturize with
lotion or cream after a shower or bath. Make sure the lotion or cream is fully
absorbed before getting dressed.
#### Do not use creams or lotions on open wounds.
Clean & Dry – ensuring that skin is always clean and dry
helps prevent fungal growth and harmful bacteria from developing into
infections.
Check & Treat – checking skin daily for cracks, and
treating problems straight away helps prevent infections. The American Diabetes
Association recommends avoiding harsh antiseptics and talking to a doctor
before using an antibiotic cream or ointment.
Avoid very hot baths and showers. Hot water can remove
natural oils from skin making it dry and itchy. Try showering or bathing with
warm water and limit your time in the water to 10 minutes or less. If your skin
is dry, don't use bubble baths. Moisturizing soaps may help.
Always drink plenty of water. It’s wise to cut down on
alcohol or caffeine, since these substances can dehydrate the body, robbing the
skin of fluids.
Please, remember to wear sunscreen. Sun exposure can damage your
skin’s ability to protect itself, so choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an
SPF of 13 or higher. Also, apply a lip balm with an SPF of 13 to help moisturize
and prevent chapped lips.