5. Skin infections
People who have diabetes tend to get skin infections. If you have a skin infection, you’ll notice one or more of the following:
- Hot, swollen skin that is painful
- Hot, swollen skin that is painful
An itchy rash and sometimes tiny blisters, dry scaly skin, or a white discharge that looks like cottage cheese
A skin infection can occur on any area of your body, including between your toes, around one or more of your nails, and on your scalp.
Skin infections
Has it been a year or longer since your last period, and do you get several yeast infections each year? It’s possible that you have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Take action
- Get immediate treatment for the infection.
- Tell your doctor if you have frequent skin infections. You could have undiagnosed diabetes.
- If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you may need better control of it.
6. Open sores and wounds
Having high blood sugar (glucose) for a long time can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage. You may have developed these if you’ve had uncontrolled (or poorly controlled) diabetes for a long time.
Poor circulation and nerve damage can make it hard for your body to heal wounds. This is especially true on the feet. These open wounds are called diabetic ulcers.
Diabetes and feet
If you have diabetes, you should check your feet every day for sores and open wounds.
Take action
- Get immediate medical care for an open sore or wound.
- Work with your doctor to better control your diabetes.