Parkland Health & Hospital System Dallas County : Winter diabetes skin care

Posted: 1/2/2018

When you have diabetes, it's important to take care of your skin, especially in the winter when the cold and wind can make your skin extra dry and itchy.

There are some things you can do to keep your skin healthy in the winter.

• Keep managing your diabetes. High blood sugar levels can cause dry skin and increase your chance of infections.
• Make sure your skin is clean and dry. Pat your skin dry, don't rub.
• Use lotion or body cream to prevent your skin from drying and cracking. Don't put lotion between your toes.
• Don't take hot baths and showers.
• Keep your home more humid. Getting a humidifier can help.
• Choose mild cleaners and soaps for cleaning the house or washing dishes.
• Stay warm with gloves, diabetic socks and layers to keep the blood moving in your body.

Diabetes makes it easier for you to get serious skin infections. Talk to your doctor if you can't fix a skin problem yourself. For more information about diabetes, go to www.ParklandDiabetes.com

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