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Medical Video: Foot problems common among diabetics
If you have diabetes and experience abrasions that suddenly appear on your skin, this might be diabetes blisters, also called bullosis diabeticorum or diabetes bulls. Even though blisters may be worrying when you first see them, they don't hurt and usually heal on their own without leaving a scar.
How do I find out if I have diabetes blisters?
Diabetes blisters most often appear on your feet and toes. The blisters rarely appear on the hands, fingers and arms.
Diabetes blisters can be up to 10 cm even though they are usually smaller. They often look like blisters that occur when you experience burns or blisters, but without pain. Diabetes blisters rarely appear as single lesions. Instead, they appear in groups. The skin around the blisters is usually not red or swollen. If you experience it, contact your doctor immediately. Diabetic blisters are usually clear and sterile fluid-filled bubbles, and can cause itching.
People with type 1 diabetes usually have this complication. However, diabetic blisters can also occur in type 2 diabetes patients.
Blisters of diabetes are rare. Diabetes blisters are twice as likely to be found in men than women.
When to contact a doctor?
Contact your doctor if you experience blisters. Most blisters will heal on their own, but there is a risk of secondary infection. The following symptoms require that you immediately contact a doctor:
- Redness around the scratches
- Swelling
- Warmth radiates from infected skin
- Pain
- The fever that accompanies the symptoms above
Why can I get diabetes blisters?
The cause of diabetes blisters is unknown. Many blisters that appear unscathed are known. Wearing shoes that are not suitable can cause blisters. Fungal infections candida albicans is another common cause of blisters in people who have diabetes.
You are more likely to get diabetes blisters if your blood sugar levels are not well controlled. People who have diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage that reduces sensitivity to pain, are more prone to diabetic blisters. Peripheral arterial disease is also thought to play a role in causing diabetes blisters.
How do you treat diabetes blisters?
Given the risk of infection and ulceration when you have diabetes, you may need to contact a dermatologist to prevent more serious skin conditions. Blisters of diabetes usually heal within 2-5 weeks without intervention.
The liquid inside the blister is sterile. To prevent infection, do not blister yourself, even if the blisters are large. Your doctor may want to drain the liquid. This will keep the skin intact as a wound cover, which rarely occurs when the blisters accidentally break.
Blisters can be treated with antibiotic creams or ointments and bandaged to protect them from further injury. Your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream if you feel severe itching.
In the end, keeping your blood sugar levels under control is the most important step you can take to prevent diabetes blisters or to speed up their healing, if you have experienced it,
How to prevent diabetes blisters?
It is important to be aware of the condition of your skin if you have diabetes. Blisters and lesions may not be known if you have neuropathy. There are several steps you can take to prevent blisters and to prevent secondary infections when you have lesions:
- Check your feet thoroughly every day.
- Protect your feet from injury by always wearing shoes and socks.
- Use shoes that are not too tight.
- Use new shoes slowly.
- Wear gloves when using scissors, hand tools, and gardening tools that can cause blisters.
- Ultraviolet light causes abrasions in some people. Apply sunscreen and limit sun exposure.
