Diabetes and Skin Problems: Why They Happen and What Helps
Living with type 2 diabetes can affect all areas of your body, including your skin. You may have noticed that you have more skin problems than you used to. Increased skin itchiness, odor and athlete’s foot are all more common in someone with type 2 diabetes. There are ways to address these symptoms so they do not have to interfere with your daily life.
This guide will help you understand why these skin problems happen and how a daily diabetic skin care routine may aid in healthier skin and help control odor-causing bacteria, yeast, and fungi from growing on your skin.
Why Diabetes Affects the Skin
Did you know that skin changes are one of the most common signs of high blood sugar and diabetes? High blood sugar can affect your skin because your skin is a large organ that is also made up of many nerves and blood vessels. Having elevated blood sugar over a long amount of time can affect and change your skin in several ways:
Reduced Circulation: Elevated blood sugar can cause damage to small blood vessels and nerves, which can reduce blood flow to your skin. Slower blood flow can make it harder for your skin to heal from minor problems which can lead to a higher risk of skin infections.
Dehydration and Dryness: When your blood sugar is elevated your body tries to get rid of the excess sugar through your urine by pulling water out of your body. This can cause your skin to lose moisture which leads to skin dryness and itching.
Microbial Buildup: When you have elevated blood sugar the extra sugar moves into your sweat and onto your skin. Bacteria and yeast are attracted to sugar which can lead to frequent bacterial and fungal infections.
Being well informed on the risks type 2 diabetes has on your body brings you one step closer to prevention and maintaining a healthy body. You can learn more about other complications of diabetes such as glaucoma by viewing our Marley Drug blogs.
Where Problems Show Up Most
Skin problems can appear anywhere, but most frequently occur in areas of high friction and moisture where heat and sweat build up, creating an environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive.
When conducting daily checks and creating your daily diabetic skin care routine, pay extra attention to these five key areas:
Feet and Toes: Poor blood flow and nerve damage in the feet can make them very sensitive to problems from shoe friction, sock moisture, foot cracking, blisters, foot ulcers and foot infections. To learn more about diabetic foot problems and daily care, read our blog here
Groin: High heat and moisture makes the groin a high-risk area for fungal growth.
Skin Folds: Any area where skin rubs together such as the stomach folds, elbows or inner thighs can cause friction and chafing and may also trap sweat or cause heat. To learn more about caring for skin folds, head to our page to read more here.
Under the Breasts: Sweat can gather quickly in the skin folds beneath the breasts which can lead to irritation, redness and yeast or bacterial infections.
Underarms: Moisture and sweat get trapped easily in the armpits making it a common site for body odor and skin problems.
For targeted hygiene in these friction and sweat-prone areas, a fast-drying spray like glucaBAN Skin Microbial Control offers a simple way to support your skin, reduce discomfort from sweat and control odor-causing microbes.
Why Do People with Diabetes Get More Fungal Infections?
Extra sugar found in the sweat and skin tissues acts as a food source for fungal organisms. These infections like being in warm areas and moist skin folds. When fungal overgrowth occurs in these spots it can lead to common fungal infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch or ringworm. You can help lower yeast growth by maintaining clean, dry skin.
Shop for products that may help to treat athlete’s foot, jock itch, or ringworm on our browse page.
Does High Blood Sugar Cause Body Odor?
Yes, high blood sugar can indirectly lead to body odor. Sweating is a normal bodily function which helps control your body’s temperature, hydrate the skin and balance the body’s fluids. Having diabetes and elevated blood sugar can however cause altered sweat patterns as a result of nerve damage. Nerve damage from high blood sugar can over-stimulate your sweat glands and make them more active which results in heavy sweating of the palms, feet, face and underarms. Excess sweat in combination with sugar provides fuel for the natural bacteria and yeast that live on the skin which can produce additional odors.
Why Are My Feet Itchy With Diabetes?
When your blood sugar is elevated the body tries to remove the excess sugar in several ways, including your urine. To do this the body pulls fluid from its cells which can make the skin dry and itchy. Dry skin is also a result of poor circulation, which is very common in the feet of people with type 2 diabetes.
Building a Daily Skin Routine That Actually Holds Up
Managing your skin when you have type 2 diabetes is important but doesn’t need to be complicated. Having a diabetic skin care routine is important to help protect your skin.
How Can I Prevent Skin Infections if I Have Diabetes?
Wash and Dry Thoroughly: It is important to wash and dry your skin thoroughly, making sure to clean high-moisture areas daily with warm water and a mild soap. After bathing it is recommended to gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel, making sure to completely dry skin folds and hidden areas such as between your toes and under your arms to help prevent moisture from getting trapped.
Choose Breathable Fabrics: Additionally, you can help your skin by choosing breathable fabrics and loose fitting clothing made from cotton and changing out of damp socks or sweaty gym clothes immediately.
Perform Daily Foot Checks: Your feet are especially vulnerable and it is important to perform daily foot checks to look for early signs of problems such as redness, blisters, peeling or dry cracks so you can address these problems early.
Rotate Your Footwear: Rotating footwear also gives your shoes time to air out from moisture and prevents microbes from building up inside your footwear.
Even if you do your best with washing and drying, sweat and surface microbes can form quickly in high friction and moisture areas like skin folds, underarms and feet. Incorporating a fast-drying spray like glucaBAN Skin Microbial Control can offer a quick and clean way to support your skin. GlucaBAN Skin Microbial Control dries fast without leaving a greasy or sticky residue which helps control odor-causing bacteria, yeast, and fungi on the skin and may help reduce odor and skin itchiness.
When to Stop Self-Managing and Call Your Provider
Daily washing and skin care helps keep your skin healthy and controls odor-causing bacteria, yeast, and fungi. However, daily care cannot replace medical treatment for active skin infections, open wounds or sores. You should stop self-managing and call your provider right away if you notice any red-flag signs of a skin infection or wound that is not healing.
Red Flags To Watch For:
A wound, sore or ulcer that is not healing or is getting worse
Skin redness that is spreading, warm to the touch, painful or swelling
Skin drainage, discharge or pus
Fever, chills or sudden flu-like symptoms
For Your Safety: See a healthcare provider if you have a wound that is not healing, has spreading redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, fever or any foot sore. GlucaBAN is designed to support daily hygiene and is not a treatment for skin wounds, ulcers or infections. This guide is for learning purposes only and does not replace advice from your healthcare provider. If you think you have a skin infection or wound that is not healing you should talk to your healthcare provider right away.
Questions? Talk to a Marley Drug Pharmacist
Worrying about skin care on top of your regular diabetes management can feel like a lot, but we are here to help if you have any questions or concerns about your daily skin hygiene, product recommendations for ongoing skin problems.
You can call Marley Drug today for a free consultation to speak directly with one of our pharmacists. Additionally, you may find it helpful to explore some of our other resources including our Diabetes Category and our article on Type 2 diabetes.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and your skin. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published May 15, 2024.
David P, Singh S, Ankar R. A comprehensive overview of skin complications in diabetes and their prevention. Cureus. 2023;15(5):e38961. doi:10.7759/cureus.38961
American Diabetes Association. Diabetes and skin complications. American Diabetes Association. Accessed August 20, 2026.
Diabetes Care Community. Sweats and diabetes. Diabetes Care Community. Published August 31, 2022.
