SUBSCRIBE

Does diabetes cause

itching?
Medically reviewed by Deborah
Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — By Rachel
Nall, MSN, CRNA on March 25, 2019

Causes of diabetic itching

Diabetic skin conditions Symptoms
Relief When to see a doctor

We include products we think are useful for our

readers. If you buy through links on this page,
we may earn a small commission Here’s our
process.

How we vet brands and products

People with diabetes may be more

prone to itchy skin than those
without. Possible causes include
neuropathy, which affects the
nerves. Diabetes can also increase
the risk of certain skin conditions
and infections.

Itching is often a symptom of diabetic

polyneuropathy, which is a condition that
develops when diabetes leads to nerve
damage. Certain skin conditions that
develop as a result of diabetes may also
cause itchy skin.

A person with diabetes should not ignore

itchy skin. Dry, irritated, or itchy skin is more
likely to become infected, and people with
diabetes may not be able to fight off
infections as successfully as those who do
not have the condition.

In this article, we look at the reasons a

person with diabetes might experience
itching and offer tips on providing relief.
ADVERTISEMENT

Causes of diabetic itching

Diabetes can lead to areas of itching.

Diabetes can cause areas of localized

itching.

There are several reasons why a person with

diabetes might experience more frequent
itching than others.

Sometimes, itching can result from damaged

nerve fibers in the outer layers of skin.

Often, the cause of diabetes-related itching

is diabetic polyneuropathy or peripheral
neuropathy. These are complications of
diabetes that develop when high blood
glucose levels cause damage to nerve
fibers, particularly those in the feet and
hands.

Before nerve damage starts to occur for

people with diabetes, high levels of
cytokines circulate the body. These are
inflammatory substances that can lead to
itching.

Recent research suggests that the increase

in cytokines might eventually have a
relationship ! with diabetic nerve damage.

Sometimes, persistent itchiness might

indicate that a person with diabetes is at risk
of nerve damage due to increase cytokine
levels. Many people also experience itching
as a symptom after neuropathy develops.

Seek medical attention if itching becomes

persistent.

People with diabetes can also experience

complications, including kidney or liver
failure, which may also cause itching.

Some people with diabetes may develop

itchy skin as an adverse side effect of a new
medication or have an allergic reaction to it.

However, a person should not stop taking

their medication until confirming with their
doctor that they have experienced an
allergic reaction. The doctor may need to
prescribe a replacement medication.

People can also experience itching as a

result of poor circulation. In these instances,
itching is more likely to occur lower down in
the legs.

Skin products that contain perfumes, dyes,

and strong soaps can dry out the skin,
leading to itchiness.

The skin can also dry or become sensitive in

the winter.

Click here to read more about diabetic

neuropathy.

Diabetic skin conditions

Sometimes an underlying skin condition can
cause itching. People with diabetes can get
certain skin conditions and infections more
easily than people who do not have
diabetes.

Examples of these include:

Fungal infection: Fungal infections,

such as athlete’s foot and jock itch, can
lead to itching. Skin can also be red,
hot, or swollen. Sometimes, small
blisters develop and produce a liquid
discharge. The yeast-like fungus
Candida albicans is often responsible
for these infections.

Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum

(NLD): This is a rare skin condition that
typically develops on the lower legs,
although it can also affect other parts of
the body. NLD starts as a dull, red spot
with a raised surface that develops into
a scar-like lesion with a dark border. It
can cause pain and itching.

Eruptive xanthomatosis: More

common in people with type 1 diabetes,
this condition forms yellow lesions on
the skin that are about the size of a
peanut. High cholesterol and fat levels
increase the risk of eruptive
xanthomatosis. The spots often occur
on the legs, feet, hands, arms, and
buttocks. Every bump will have a red
ring around it and might itch.
ADVERTISEMENT

Symptoms
The symptoms of itching vary and depend
on the cause.

For example, if a person has peripheral

neuropathy, they are more likely to
experience itching on the lower parts of the
legs.

They may also experience a loss of

sensation, usually in the feet or hands. A
tingling sensation might accompany these
symptoms.

People with specific skin conditions or

infections will itch at the site of the spot or
lesion.

Itching can make a person feel

uncomfortable in their clothes, wake them
up in the night, and make them feel as if they
always need to scratch.

Relief

Avoid taking baths that are too hot.

A person with diabetes can take several

steps to maintain healthy skin and find relief
from itching, including:

Managing diabetes carefully and

preventing blood sugar levels from
becoming too high.

Avoiding taking very hot baths. Hot

water can remove moisture from the
skin.

Applying skin lotion while the skin is

still damp after a bath or shower.
However, a person with diabetes
should not apply lotion between the
toes, as this can work with moisture to
attract harmful fungi.

Avoiding moisturizers that contain

harsh perfumes or dyes. Look for a
product whose label that states that the
lotion is “gentle” or “hypoallergenic.”
Some manufacturers create lotions
specifically for people with diabetes.

There is a range of diabetes-specific lotions

available for purchase online.

Making lifestyle changes may also help

reduce skin symptoms. These include eating
a healthful diet.

MEDICAL NEWS TODAY NEWSLETTER

Sign up for a weekly diabetes

newsletter.
Get the latest diabetes updates in a weekly
newsletter. Whether it’s for you or a loved
one, we gather research on risk factors,
nutrition, treatment, and more.

Enter your email

SIGN UP

Your privacy is important to us

When to see a doctor

Anyone with diabetes who tries home
remedies to treat itchiness but sees no
improvement after about 2 weeks should
talk to their doctor about other options.

While everyone has itchy skin from time to

time, for people with diabetes, itchy skin can
signal poor diabetes control and potential
nerve damage.

A doctor can evaluate areas of dry or patchy

skin to determine if diabetes or an
underlying skin condition is the cause.

They may prescribe treatments or

recommend changes to a person’s diabetes
management routine.

Last medically reviewed on March 25, 2019

Dermatology Diabetes Type 1 Type 2

How we reviewed this article:

SOURCES

Share this article

" # $ %

What to know about

diabetic neuropathy
Medically reviewed by Maria Prelipcean,
M.D. — By Yvette Brazier on March 19,
2019

Types Symptoms Images Diagnosis

Treatment Complications Takeaway

We include products we think are useful for our

readers. If you buy through links on this page,
we may earn a small commission Here’s our
process.

How we vet brands and products

Diabetic neuropathy is a
complication of diabetes that
results in damage to the nervous
system. It is a progressive disease,
and symptoms get worse over
time.

Neuropathy happens when high levels of

fats or sugar in the blood damage the nerves
in the body. It can affect virtually any nerve in
the body, with a wide range of symptoms.

Nerves are essential to how the body works.

They enable people ! to move, send
messages about how things feel, and control
automatic functions, such as breathing.

There are several types. Some involve the

peripheral nerves, while others damage the
nerves that supply the internal organs, such
as the heart, the bladder, and the gut. In this
way, it can affect many body functions.

Between one-third and a half ! of people

with diabetes have neuropathy, according to
the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

In this article, we explore the different types,

effects, and risks of diabetic neuropathy.
ADVERTISEMENT

Design for your farm. Layer Chicken

Cage, Broiler Chicken Cage, Pullet
Chicken Cage.
Retech

Types

Peripheral neuropathy can lead to a loss of sensation

in the feet.

Four main types of neuropathy can impact

on the nervous system, including:

Peripheral symmetric neuropathy:

This affects the feet and hands. It is the
most common form of diabetic
neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy: This occurs in

the nerves that control involuntary
functions of the body, such as
digestion, urination, or heart rate.

Thoracic and lumbar root, or proximal,

neuropathy: This damages nerves
along a specific distribution in the
body, such as the chest wall or legs.

Mononeuropathies: These can affect

any individual nerve.

The symptoms of neuropathy depend on the

type and the nerves involved.

Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of diabetic
neuropathy usually take several years to
appear. Signs and symptoms will depend on
which type of neuropathy and nerves it
affects.

Peripheral neuropathy

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy

include:

numbness, pain, tingling, and burning

sensations starting in the toes and
fingers then continuing up the legs or
arms

loss of muscle tone in the hands and

feet

not being able to feel heat, cold, or

physical injury

loss of balance

Charcot’s joint, in which a joint breaks

down because of nerve issues, often in
the feet

Peripheral neuropathy that affects the feet

can make it difficult for a person to stand and
walk. It can increase the risk of falling.

When a person cannot feel heat, cold or

injury, this can lead to new problems.

For example, a blister on the foot can

become ulcerated because the person did
not feel pain in the early stages. As the
infection progresses, gangrene can develop.

Eventually, amputation may be necessary.

Click here to find out more about peripheral

neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy

The effects of autonomic neuropathy

include:

heartburn and bloating

nausea, constipation or diarrhea

hypoglycemic unawareness, in which a

person does not feel the effects of low
sugar levels

difficulties speaking or swallowing

feeling full after eating small amounts

of food

vomiting several hours after eating

orthostatic hypotension, or feeling light-

headed and dizzy when standing up

a faster heart rate than normal

excessive sweating, even in cool

temperatures or while at rest

bladder problems, for example,

difficulty emptying the bladder
completely when urinating, leading to
incontinence

sexual dysfunction in men and women

dysesthesia, or a distorted sense of

touch

significant drooping of the face and

eyelids

muscle contractions and weakness

Other types

There are many types of neuropathy.

Proximal neuropathy can lead to pain in the

lower body, often on one side, and
weakness in the legs.

Symptoms of focal neuropathy can vary

widely, depending on the nerve affected.
Focal neuropathy and cranial neuropathy
can both lead to visual disturbances, such as
double vision.

People with diabetic neuropathy often do

not realize they have it until the symptoms
are more advanced.
ADVERTISEMENT

Design for your farm. Layer Chicken

Cage, Broiler Chicken Cage, Pullet
Chicken Cage.
Retech

Images
Not all of the symptoms of peripheral
neuropathy are visible, but people should be
aware of any wounds on their feet.

VIEW GALLERY
& 4

Diagnosis

A physician will carry out a foot exam and may check

blood pressure.

'
A Aphysician will carry out a physical exam
DVERTISEMENT

and foot exam to check for: