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Skin changes in diabetes mellitus: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Skin rashes may occur in both primary (insulin-dependent and insulin-independent diabetes) and secondary (damage to the pancreas due to intoxication, surgery, etc.) diabetes mellitus. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the most common are diabetic bladder, various bacterial (furuncle, carbuncle, erysipelas, etc.), fungal (candidiasis, paronychia, rubromycosis) and viral (shingles, etc.) infections. Diabetic macro- and microangiopathy are caused by damage to both large and small (arterioles, venules, capillaries) vessels. In this case, erythema of the extremities, outwardly resembling erysipelas, develops more often. Trophic ulcers and gangrene are formed, which are complicated by various infections.
Treatment. The main disease is treated by an endocrinologist. Treatment of the dermatological aspect is the same as for similar dermatoses.
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