Does Type 2 Diabetes Cause Itchy Skin? 

Itchy skin is a common issue associated with type 2 diabetes. One cause is neuropathy. Regulating blood sugar levels and using creams, cold compresses, and other remedies may offer relief.

Living with type 2 diabetes can cause some unexpected symptoms. One of them? Itchy skin.

Diabetes can cause changes to your skin that can cause itchiness directly. These changes can also increase your risk of developing skin conditions that cause itchy, irritated skin.

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What causes itchy skin?

Changes to your skin are one of the most common signs of diabetes.

Diabetes causes changes in blood sugar levels, like having too much sugar in the blood, which can lead to complications, including:

• Changes in circulation: High blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels, causing poor circulation. When your blood is not circulating as well, it can lead to tingling neuropathy and changes to your skin. This can lead to stiffened or brittle skin and make it difficult to heal quickly from wounds or ulcers.
• Chronic inflammation: High blood sugar levels can dull or overstimulate the immune response. If it overreacts, it can lead to more symptoms, like itchy skin.
• Dehydration: When blood sugar levels are elevated, you may find yourself urinating more frequently. This can lead to dehydration, which can cause dry, potentially itchy skin.

These changes can directly lead to itchiness from dryness, or make you more likely to develop skin conditions that can lead to itchiness.

What are diabetes-related skin conditions that cause itching?

Diabetes can make you more likely to develop common skin conditions that can affect anyone, as well as more diabetes-specific ones.

Conditions that diabetes can raise your risk for

Fungal infections

Fungal infections cause moist, red areas surrounded by tiny blisters and scales to appear on the skin. They often crop up in areas of skin around folds, such as near the genitals, under the breasts, or around the nails.

Some common examples include:

• jock itch
• ringworm
• athlete’s foot

Generalized itchiness

Several diabetes-related factors can cause general skin itchiness, including reduced circulation, dry skin, or yeast infections.

If the itchiness occurs due to reduced circulation, you may notice that the worst itch occurs in your lower extremities, where the blood has the farthest distance to travel.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections appear as bumps, boils, and styes. They often cause red, swollen, hot, and irritated areas on the skin. Antibiotics can help clear these infections and reduce how severe they are.

Diabetes-related skin conditions

Diabetes-related skin conditions can also cause itching. These include:

Necrobiosis lipoidica

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a condition that causes circular or oval, scaly, and light brown patches on the skin due to damage to small blood vessels. They may be painful or itchy.

Allergic reactions

If you develop itchy skin after an injection or from taking medication, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction.

Talk with a doctor about any itchy or irritated skin if you believe that medications, injections, or other diabetes care caused it. If you think it’s a severe allergic reaction, get immediate care.

Diabetes-related pruritus (itchiness)

Some evidence from a 2021 study suggests that you can help reduce your risk of itchy skin by managing diabetes. Researchers found that unmanaged blood sugar levels over several years can lead to dry skin and nerve damage, increasing the chances of itchy skin.

Eruptive xanthomatosis

Eruptive xanthomatosis is caused by excessively high triglyceride levels in the blood. It can lead to small, sometimes itchy, reddish-yellow, brown, or skin-colored bumps on the skin depending on your skin tone.

These bumps are often on the hands, feet, arms, legs, and buttocks.

Tips to prevent itchy skin

You can take several steps to help keep your skin clear and less itchy.

One of the first steps is to ensure you’re managing your diabetes. This looks different for different people, but it can include taking medications as needed, adjusting your diet and exercise routines, and regularly checking your blood sugar levels.

Other ways to prevent diabetes-related skin complications and itchy skin include:

• keep your skin clear and dry
• regularly moisturize your skin and prevent it from drying out
• avoid excessively hot showers or baths
• keep your home moist, particularly during dry months, like with a humidifier
• use mild shampoos and soaps
• treat cuts on the skin right away with first aid
• take good care of your feet
• see a dermatologist or other doctor if skin issues occur

How to relieve itchy skin

When you feel itchy and just want some relief, you can try these tips for soothing your skin:

• Apply a cold, wet compress or ice pack covered in a cloth or paper towel. Apply for 5 to 10 minutes or until you find some relief.
• Speak to your pharmacist or a doctor about topical anesthetics that contain the ingredient pramoxine.
• Find out if you can use products containing cooling ingredients, such as menthol or calamine.
• Consider taking an oatmeal bath.
• Look for a fragrance and dye-free moisturizer.

Takeaway

Diabetes can increase your risk of developing both common and less common skin conditions. Some of them may cause itchy rashes to appear on the skin.

Some conditions may go away on their own, but others may require over-the-counter or prescription treatments. If you’re unsure, you should talk with a doctor or dermatologist about your concerns and symptoms.

Managing your diabetes can help prevent skin issues. You can also take other steps, like treating cuts quickly and using gentle soaps and shampoos.