How diabetes affects the skin
Diabetes is about eating right, exercising, and following your doctor’s recommendations. Diabetes may affect many parts of the body including the skin. Many people with diabetes may have dry skin.
Skin care tips for people with diabetes that have dry skin
Keep skin clean & dry. Ensuring that skin is always clean and dry is important for those with diabetes.
Avoid very hot baths and showers. Hot water can remove natural oils leaving behind itchy, dry skin. Try showering or bathing with warm water and limit your time in the water to 10 minutes or less. If your skin is dry, don't use bubble baths. Moisturizing soaps may help.
Hydrate your skin. Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing to help trap moisture in the skin. Keeping skin hydrated with a moisturizing lotion helps relieve itchy, dry skin. Do not apply lotion on open wounds.
Drink lots of water. It’s wise to cut down on alcohol or caffeine, since these substances can dehydrate the body, robbing the skin of fluids.
Remember to wear a sunscreen. For sun protection choose a choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection (UVA and UVB) with an SPF of 30 or higher and water resistance (if you are going in the water).