Tips In Caring Diabetics Skin
By mdssite | November 9, 2009
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the American Diabetes Association, in the United States alone, over 21 million have been diagnosed with diabetes.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases fact sheet reveals that in Canada, more than 2.2 million people have diabetes. In a similar survey, the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study Group also reports that there are about 20.8 million children and adults in the UK with diabetes.
Although diabetes is a chronic condition and there is no known cure for this disease, it is not a hopeless situation. People living with diabetes, (particularly Type 2 Diabetes) can do a lot in preventing complications and keeping diabetes under control.
Diabetes and Skin Care
People with diabetes are more prone to infections and skin diseases so they should be more conscious of how they take care of their bodies. Consider the following diabetes skin care tips:
Monitor your blood sugar level regularly. Consistent and regular monitoring of your blood sugar level is a must to avoid complications. See to it that you have the supplies and equipment necessary in monitoring your blood sugar level.
Use skin care products that suit your skin type. It’s best way to avoid infections and skin irritations by knowing your skin type and using products that matches your skin. Consult a dermatologist and ask for recommendation on which products would work best for your skin.
For instance, if you have dry skin, a mild soap with moisturizer is best. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you may want to look for a mild soap that helps control oil and breakouts. Avoid using skin care products that uses harsh ingredients.
Eat healthy. A diabetic’s diet should always be balanced to make sure that the body gets all the vitamins and nutrients it needs. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your skin healthy and free from toxins. Stay away from foods that are high in salt, sodium, fat and sugar content as excessive intake of these are not only harmful to your skin but to your body as well.
Have a regular exercise. A sufficient amount of physical activity helps promote digestion, improves our blood circulation, and aids in burning or getting rid of those excess calories in our system. This way, calories in our body would be converted to energy instead of being stored as sugar in our bloodstreams.
Exercise also helps keep our skin healthy as we eliminate toxins from our body. Medical studies show that even a 30-minute walk each day can enhance the quality of a person’s life and overall well-being.
Practice cleanliness. Keeping your body clean as well as your surroundings is a must whether you have diabetes or not. However, a diabetic should pay closer attention to cleanliness as infections, skin sores and wounds can easily be acquired from dirty surroundings.
