How Diabetes Can Change Your Skin—and What You Can Do About It

How Diabetes Can Change Your Skin—and What You Can Do About It. Diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects multiple organs, and the skin is no exception. Diabetics are prone to having dry skin. While it's tough to nail down the reason for this, signs point to the elevated blood sugar levels. Diabetes can also lead to a breakdown of collagen and elastin, two proteins key for healthy-looking skin. Some people with diabetes develop keratosis pilaris which is caused by a build-up of dead skin cells and keratin. Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that includes the darkening of the skin in certain areas. It can occur in the back of the neck, armpits, groin, knees, elbows, and hands, and appears almost velvet-like in texture. Effectively manage your blood glucose levels. In turn, that can help with many of the skin complications that result from diabetes. It's also recommended to use gentle skin cleansers and non-irritating moisturizers every day to reduce skin dryness or itchiness