Scientists and medical experts believe that too much sugar can lead to number of health problems, such as diabetes and obesity. But, here an important question arises that whether sugar also affect the health of your skin?
Most acne sufferers are advised to avoid consuming certain foods under the belief that they are the cause of their pimples. This is not only the case with acne problems; it’s definitely true that the things that enters our stomach and eventually into our body have an effect on us.
One thing that our typical modern diet is composed of is sugar. Whether it’s ‘sweety’ sweets or peppery pasta, all of them are loaded with sugar. It’s difficult today to find products that aren’t full of the stuff. And, the excess of sugar causes diabetes due to the imbalance in the insulin level.
What Does Sugar Do To Your Skin?
Sugar is one of the biggest enemies of our skin. When people talk about the effects of sugar on the skin, often they mention about inflammation. It’s part of a ‘clever’ process of protection that our body uses. When our skin is exposed to possible harmful irritants, the body tries to get rid of it. Inflammation is a sign of the occurrence of this process. Unfortunately, inflammation can leave the skin looking dull, and sugar is an easy way to trigger it.
Here are a few skin ailments that are caused by diabetes or excessive sugar intake:
1. Bacterial Infections
Bacterial skin infections can disturb anybody, but diabetics are more disposed to them. Typical bacterial skin problems that tend to trouble diabetics include boils, nail infections, eyelid styes and carbuncles. The area around the infection turns red, painful, and swollen. To clear up these skin problems, treating with antibiotic creams or pills is beneficial.
2. Fungal Infections
Diabetes patients are susceptible to fungal contagions, especially one known as Candida albicans. This yeast-like fungus creates a red, itchy rash, often surrounded by small blisters, found in warm, moist areas like armpits or between the toes. Some other fungal infections common to diabetics include ringworm, athlete’s foot, and vaginal infections.
3. Itching
Itchy skin can be caused due to many reasons. In people with diabetes, yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation can be the prime cause. If the itchy skin is caused due to poor blood flow, the lower legs may be the itchiest part of the body. To stop this, consider bathing less often and use mild soap while bathing. Apply some lotion to moisturize dry skin, but don’t apply it between your toes.
4. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a skin ailment in which the skin cells that make melanin, commonly known as the brown pigmentation are destroyed, which leads to irregular, blotchy patches often occuring on the hands, face, or chest. Although the cause of vitiligo is unknown, experts believe it is an autoimmune condition like type 1 diabetes, and research has found a link between the two conditions. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for vitiligo, yet it can be treated with light therapy or topical steroids. For the patients of vitiligo, it’s important for them to wear a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, since the de-pigmented skin has no natural sun protection.
5. Diabetic Blisters
Although it’s rare, but sometimes people with diabetes explode in blisters. The blisters occur on the backs of fingers, hands, toes, feet, and sometimes on the legs or forearms. They look somewhat like burn blisters. Having diabetes puts the affectant at higher risk of developing these blisters. But, here’s the good news. Usually, they are painless and get healed up on their own in a few weeks. Keep your blood glucose under control to treat the skin condition as it is the only cure.
About one third of people with diabetes will develop skin problems at some point in life. In fact, some skin ailments can be threatening signs of diabetes. The good news is that if they’re caught early, most skin conditions can be treated easily. Keeping proper control of your blood glucose can prevent skin problems, and many other diabetes symptoms, from infecting in the first place.
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