Skin Infections

People with diabetes who are overweight or who have high blood sugars most of the time are more likely to develop skin infections than are thin people with normal blood sugars.

High blood sugars can interfere with your body's natural defense systems. Once they start, some of these infections can spread rapidly, causing fever, chills, and tiredness.

It is very important that you examine your skin each day and promptly take care of any ulcers, redness, or skin breakdowns. Yeast infections usually occur in warm, moist areas of the body, particularly in the genital region, under breasts, and between folds of skin.

Infections of the face, foot, and ear canal may be particularly serious and should be checked by your health-care team.

Many different types of treatments are available for these skin problems, and you should ask for advice before applying drugstore skin creams. Good skin care is essential for good health.

People with diabetes who are overweight or who have high blood sugars most of the time are more likely to develop skin infections than are thin people with normal blood sugars.