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Among the various body organs that can be affected by diabetes, skin is one of the prominent ones. In some cases, symptoms start appearing on the skin in the pre-diabetic stage. Diabetic people are prone to a wide range of skin problems. Some common ones are explained here. The first among these is dry skin. The second complaint can be itchy skin resulting from dryness of the skin and poor blood circulation. Though dry and itchy skin is not a specific condition occurring in diabetes and can occur in non-diabetics too if one has diabetes, he/she is more prone to suffer from skin problems. The third condition is acanthosis nigricans in which there is darkening and thickening of the skin in the skin folds. It happens from insulin resistance and tends to affect the armpits, neck fold and groin area. Another skin condition in diabetics may be foot ulcers which refer to an open sore on the foot that is usually painless. It begins with a small wound. Due to nerve damage and poor blood circulation, wound healing becomes difficult. Another condition is diabetic dermopathy, also known as shin spots, which refers to brown or red round spots on the skin. These form on the front side of the legs (shins). Another skin condition due to diabetes is diabetic blisters, also known as diabetic bullae, that 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 have a clear fluid. They usually occur in clusters and can be itchy. One more skin condition is digital sclerosis. In this condition, there is thickening of the skin on the back of hands, fingers or toes. Thickening may also occur on the shoulders, arms and upper back. Besides the above, some skin conditions can occur in any person (whether diabetic or non–diabetic) but diabetic people are more prone to these conditions. Such conditions include fungal infections like oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections, athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock’s itch and fungal infection with candida albicans. Oral thrush refers to fungal infection in the mouth. Vaginal yeast infections refer to fungal infection in the vagina resulting in vaginal discharge, irritation or itching in the vagina. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the feet which usually begins in the area between the toes. Ringworm is a fungal infection causing ring-shaped lesions on the skin. Jock’s itch is a fungal infection in the groin area i.e. crease where the lower abdomen and thighs join. Other skin conditions may include bacterial infections like boils and abscesses which are lumps containing pus. Cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection involving deep layers of the skin.
Homeopathic Management
Homeopathic mode of treatment can help in the supportive management of some skin conditions in diabetes like dryness, itching, skin pigmentation, brown spots on the skin, abscess, boils, fungal infections, blisters, etc. One can opt for homeopathic medicines for safe, natural healing of skin issues along with conventional treatment. Diabetes needs to be properly managed to control blood sugar levels with proper medicines, diet, and lifestyle changes. Along with proper management of blood sugar levels, homeopathic medicines can be used side by side for managing skin problems. The homeopathic medicines are selected as per the individual’s signs and symptoms in every case after detailed case evaluation. Homeopathic medicines are recommended only for mild to moderate cases. In severe cases, help from conventional mode of treatment should be taken.
Homeopathic Medicines For Skin Problems In Diabetes
1. Graphites
This medicine proves very effective in managing cases of rough and dry skin. There may be itching in different skin areas. The itching is severe, it gets worse at night. On scratching, eruptions may form on the skin. In cases needing it, the tendency to skin ulcers can also be present.
2. Petroleum
This medicine helps manage dryness of the skin attended with cracks. Cracks may occur in the skin folds. Blood may ooze from the cracks. It gets worse in winter. Petroleum is also helpful in cases of hardening and thickening of the skin. Apart from these, this medicine is also indicated for brown spots on the skin. Petroleum is also a helpful medicine to manage fungal infections on feet between the toes.
3. Sulphur
Sulphur is a highly-recommended medicine to manage itching on the skin. In cases requiring this medicine, itching can occur all over the body. It affects one skin area and after sometime appears in another skin area. The itching gets worse mostly at night. Burning sensation is also felt on the skin. On scratching, there may be bleeding from the affected skin area. Pain may be felt on the skin after itching. There is marked burning sensation on the hands and feet, along with the above-mentioned concerns in most cases that need this medicine.
4. Thuja
Thuja is a well-indicated medicine to manage the cases of darkening of skin. This medicine is also helpful in cases of brownish spots on the skin. The skin is dry and looks dirty. Further, this medicine is important to manage itching on the skin which feels like pricking needles. Itching may be felt on the back, arms, legs and abdomen. There is relief in itching by scratching. However, burning remains even after itching is relieved. Thuja is also a prominent medicine to manage fungal infections on the skin.
5. Arsenic Album
This medicine is highly suitable for managing skin ulcers on the foot. In cases requiring it, the ulcers have elevated edges. Fetid-smelling discharge oozes out from the ulcers. Thin blood-stained pus can appear in some cases. The ulcers are flat with redness on the margins. At times, burning sensation may be felt in the ulcers. Itching gets worse at night and also in cold air. Other than the above, this medicine can be used for managing dry and scaly/flaky skin.
6. Sepia
This medicine is a helpful medicine for managing pigmentation on skin and brownish spots on the skin. This medicine is also the best choice to manage cases of ringworm, which is a type of fungal infection characterised by ring–shaped rash with itching. It is indicated when ringworm lesions appear in isolated (single) spots and not multiple rings joined together. Sepia can also be used in cases of skin itching. It does not get better by scratching.
7. Hepar Sulph
This is a very important medicine to manage cases of boils and abscess on the skin. In cases needing this medicine, pus oozes out from the boils or abscess. The pus is scanty and can be blood-stained too. Throbbing pain can be felt in the lumps. The pain usually worsens at night. Cold exposure also worsens the pain. This medicine helps to speed up pus discharge and aids healing of boils/abscesses.
8. Natrum Mur
This medicine is well-indicated to manage blisters (fluid-filled lumps) on the skin. Initially, there is a burning sensation on the skin in some spots. This is followed by blister formation that contains clear watery fluid. The blisters burst followed by the formation of flakes on those spots.
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