Of the various body organs that can be affected by diabetes, the skin is one of the most important. In some cases, symptoms appear on the skin as early as the pre-diabetic stage. People with diabetes are prone to a wide range of skin problems. Some common ones are explained here. The first of these is dry skin. The second complaint can be itchy skin due to dry skin and poor blood circulation. Although dry and itchy skin is not a specific condition that occurs in diabetes and can also occur in non-diabetics if a person has diabetes, he/she is more prone to skin problems. The third condition is acanthosis nigricans, which involves darkening and thickening of the skin in the skin folds. It occurs due to insulin resistance and tends to affect the armpits, nuchal translucency and groin area. Another skin condition in diabetics can be foot ulcers, which refers to an open sore on the foot that is usually painless. It starts with a small wound. Nerve damage and poor blood circulation make wound healing difficult. Another condition is diabetic dermopathy, also called shin spots, which refers to brown or red circular spots on the skin. These form at the front of the legs (shin bones). Another skin condition due to diabetes is diabetic blisters, also known as diabetic bullae, which form on the lower legs and feet and can also develop on the toes, hands, fingers and arms. These look white and are painless. The blisters that form are irregular in shape and contain clear fluid. They usually occur in clusters and can be itchy. Another skin condition is digital sclerosis. This condition involves thickening of the skin on the backs of the hands, fingers or toes. Thickening can also occur on the shoulders, arms and upper back. In addition to the above, some skin conditions can affect anyone (both diabetics and non-diabetics), but people with diabetes are more susceptible to these conditions. Such conditions include yeast infections such as thrush, vaginal yeast infections, athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock’s itch, and candida albicans yeast infection. Oral thrush refers to a fungal infection in the mouth. Vaginal yeast infections refer to a fungal infection in the vagina that results in vaginal discharge, irritation, or itching in the vagina. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the feet that usually starts in the area between the toes. Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes ring-shaped lesions on the skin. Jock’s itch is a fungal infection in the groin area, that is, the fold where the lower abdomen and thighs meet. Other skin conditions can include bacterial infections, such as boils and abscesses, which are lumps that contain pus. Cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection that involves deep layers of the skin.
Homeopathic treatment
The homeopathic method of treatment can help in the supportive treatment of some skin conditions in diabetes such as dryness, itching, skin pigmentation, brown spots on the skin, abscesses, boils, fungal infections, blisters, etc. One can opt for homeopathic medicines for safe, natural healing of skin problems together with conventional treatment. Diabetes must be properly managed to keep blood sugar levels under control with proper medications, diet and lifestyle changes. In addition to proper blood sugar management, homeopathic medicines can be used side by side for managing skin problems. In each case, the homeopathic medicines are selected based on the signs and symptoms of the individual, after a detailed case evaluation. Homeopathic medicines are recommended only for mild to moderate cases. In severe cases, help from a conventional method of treatment should be taken.
Homeopathic medicines for skin problems in diabetes
1. Graphites
This medicine proves to be very effective in treating cases of rough and dry skin. Itching may occur in various skin areas. The itching is severe and gets worse at night. Scratching can cause eruptions on the skin. In cases where this is necessary, a tendency to skin ulcers may also be present.
2. Petroleum
This medicine helps control the dryness of the skin associated with cracking. Cracks can develop in the skin folds. Blood may seep from the cracks. In winter it gets worse. Petroleum is also useful in hardening and thickening of the skin. In addition, this medicine is also indicated for brown spots on the skin. Petroleum is also a useful medicine to treat fungal infections on the feet between the toes.
3. Sulfur
Sulfur is a highly recommended medicine to treat itching on the skin. In cases where this medicine is required, itching may occur all over the body. It affects one skin area and appears in another skin area after some time. The itching gets worse especially at night. A burning sensation is also felt on the skin. When scratching, bleeding may occur from the affected skin area. After itching, pain can be felt on the skin. In most cases where this medicine is required, there is a noticeable burning sensation on the hands and feet along with the problems mentioned above.
4. Thuja
Thuja is a well indicated medicine to treat cases of skin darkening. This medicine is also useful for brownish spots on the skin. The skin is dry and looks dirty. Furthermore, this medicine is important to control itching on the skin that feels like prickly needles. Itching can be felt on the back, arms, legs and abdomen. There is relief from the itching by scratching. However, the burning sensation persists even after the itching has disappeared. Thuja is also a leading medicine to treat fungal infections on the skin.
5. Arsenic album
This medicine is very suitable for the treatment of skin ulcers on the foot. In cases where this is necessary, the ulcers have raised edges. Foul-smelling discharge oozes from the sores. In some cases, thin, blood-stained pus may appear. The ulcers are flat with redness at the edges. Sometimes a burning sensation can be felt in the ulcers. The itching gets worse at night and also in cold air. Other than the above, this medicine can be used to treat dry and flaky/flaky skin.
6. Sepia
This medicine is a useful medicine for controlling pigment spots on the skin and brownish spots on the skin. This medicine is also the best choice for treating cases of ringworm, a type of fungal infection characterized by an itchy ring-shaped rash. It is indicated when ringworm lesions appear on isolated (single) sites and not on multiple contiguous rings. Sepia can also be used for itching of the skin. Scratching doesn’t make it better.
7. Hepar sulf
This is a very important medicine to treat cases of boils and abscesses on the skin. In cases where this medicine is required, pus oozes from the boil or abscess. The pus is sparse and may also be blood-stained. Throbbing pain can be felt in the lumps. The pain usually worsens at night. Exposure to cold also worsens the pain. This medicine helps to accelerate pus secretion and promotes the healing of boils/abscesses.
8. Natrum Mur
This medicine is well indicated for the treatment of blisters (fluid-filled lumps) on the skin. Initially there is a burning sensation on the skin in some places. This is followed by blistering containing clear watery fluid. The blisters burst, followed by the formation of flakes in those areas.