One early symptom that some people notice before an official diagnose of diabetes is what is called by some a diabetic rash. Other people may notice a rash after they start taking insulin or medication, so let’s address these concerns. With kids noticing darkened skin on neck area can be a tip off about sugar metabolism and allow you to nip diabetes in the bud.

An astute pediatrician noticed darker skin in the neck area of a friend’s child and said this could be a pre-cursor to diabetes. Check your child’s neck area as well as arm pit area for darker colored skin. This may mean that the body is not able to use the insulin it produces. It’s also called acanthosis nigricans. It isn’t that there is dirt on the neck. Increasing exercise and watching diet can help with this and prevent diabetes. Improve the obesity issue if that is a problem. Fortunately, for kids they respond very well to exercise.

Another rash that can occur with diabetes is eczema. Don’t forget that assimilation of nutrients isn’t up to par if one is diabetic. It’s important to not ignore complications of diabetes whether it’s skin changes, swelling of feet or energy level fluctations. Fungal infections can also occur with diabetes. Write down if your skin is itchy, locations of rash areas etc to be able to identify this further.

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Diabetic Dermopathy

This is the most common skin change for diabetic patients and can be seen in over thirty percent of those with diabetes. These are depressed darkened spots and can be found on the leg areas and other parts of the body. This can mix with eczema patches (dermatitis). Steroid creams and moisturizers are important. If necessary, anti-histamines can be taken as well.

Reactions to Insulin or Medication

Certain brands of insulin may cause an allergy so have this checked out.
Your doctor will try another brand of insulin and if there are still reactions, you can get a skin test for an allergy to insulin. Insulin rashes some say can be helped by using shea butter cream.

Rashes to Be Alert To

With diabetes there is more vulnerability to skin yeast infections and bacterial infections such as cellulitis. Be aware that with less sensitivity often to the foot area due to lack of circulation, people don’t always examine the feet area to look for fungus (athelete’s foot), small cuts that may get infected and fungus that may be growing around the nails.
For itchy rashes around the ankles, some people have remarked on forums they’ve found relief through St. Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter lotions. If you have diabetes or know someone with it, a natural cure you can read about is here: Diabetes Symptoms Guide

Diabetes Symptoms Guide