"Medical" for the elderly | Scientific prevention and treatment of diabetic skin itching

Diabetic pruritus is one of the main skin complications in elderly diabetic patients. There are several main reasons why diabetes causes pruritus.

1. Dry skin The peripheral blood vessels of diabetic patients are damaged, resulting in poor blood flow to the local skin, which causes the skin barrier function to decline, and the diffusion of water from the deep epidermis to the stratum corneum increases. Therefore, the lower the environmental humidity, such as in autumn and winter, air-conditioned environment, etc., the more obvious the dry skin is. With age, the lipid content in the skin decreases and the skin barrier function decreases. The number of mast cells and histamine increases in dry skin, and histamine is one of the important neurotransmitters that cause skin itching.

2. Skin infection: Diabetic patients have impaired skin blood circulation and damaged skin protective barrier, making them prone to secondary skin infections such as bacterial, fungal and mold infections, causing skin itching.

3. Nerve damage Diabetic patients are usually accompanied by autonomic dysfunction. Sympathetic nerve damage causes decreased skin sweating function, reduced skin barrier function and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which damages sensory nerve fibers and causes abnormal discharges, leading to itching.

4. Kidney damage When diabetes is complicated by renal insufficiency, the kidney's ability to excrete urea is weakened, resulting in urea accumulation in the body. Excessive urea will be excreted from the sweat glands, irritating the skin and causing itching.

5. Drug allergy Oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin injections can cause drug allergies and lead to skin itching.

So, how to scientifically prevent and treat skin itching caused by diabetes?

1. Actively control blood sugar. High blood sugar is the basic cause of skin itching, so blood sugar must be controlled at the target level first. Regulate blood lipids and treat complications.

2. Monitor kidney function. Skin itching may be an early manifestation of diabetic nephropathy in some diabetic patients. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with diabetes and skin itching undergo routine urine routine examinations and kidney function tests to detect diabetic nephropathy early and avoid missed diagnosis or delayed diagnosis and treatment.

3. Strengthen skin management. Strengthening skin cleaning and increasing moisturizing care can help improve skin barrier function, reduce itching and reduce the degree of itching. Avoid scratching. You can use cold water compresses or gently pat the local area to help relieve itching. The frequency of bathing should be moderate, generally 1 to 3 times a week; the water temperature should be moderate, preferably controlled at 37 to 40 degrees Celsius; do not scrub the skin excessively; do not use soap or shower gel with high alkalinity, so as not to damage the sebaceous glands, and choose mild shower gel or neutral medicated soap. After showering, it is advisable to apply a neutral, mild and moisturizing moisturizer.

4. Adjust your diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods, quit smoking and drinking to help control blood sugar, and eat more foods rich in high protein and vitamins as well as fruits and vegetables.

5. Reduce skin irritation. Keep your skin dry and clean, change clothes frequently, and make sure your clothes are comfortable and breathable. Avoid contact with irritating fabrics such as chemical fibers and fur. Underwear should be made of soft cotton.

6. Drugs that improve diabetic nerve damage

Methylcobalamin, vitamin B1, etc. help improve nerve damage. Patients with itchy skin can use them as appropriate under the guidance of a doctor.

7. Actively treat secondary eczema. If secondary eczema occurs, it may manifest as papules, herpes, blisters on the skin surface, and may even have erosions, exudation, scratches, scabs and lichenification. Under the guidance of a doctor, topical glucocorticoids can be used to control the symptoms.

8. Actively treat secondary skin infections. When secondary bacterial, viral and fungal infections occur, take medication under the guidance of a doctor.