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What to do and how to get rid of itching in diabetes?
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

To get rid of itching, you need to cure diabetes. This is the main disease, and itching is one of its symptoms. Therefore, it is inappropriate to treat the itching itself. It would be more rational to eliminate the cause of the disease. The treatment method is chosen depending on the clinical form of the disease, the severity of diabetic angiopathies and concomitant pathology. Additionally, as symptomatic therapy, various ointments and sprays are used to reduce itching.
Medicines
Antidiabetic oral medications are widely used in the treatment of diabetes and the elimination of itching in diabetes. It is necessary to take precautions: follow the doctor's recommendations, stick to a diet. It is also necessary to take into account that the drugs may have side effects: they have a toxic effect on the liver. Therefore, they should be taken in combination with hepatoprotectors. After long-term use (2-3 months), these drugs should be replaced with analogues or insulin, since addiction develops. It is necessary to take into account that they act softly and smoothly, rarely causing hypoglycemic conditions.
Currently, two main groups of hypoglycemic drugs are used: sulfonamides and biguanides. Hypoglycemic sulfonamide drugs are more effective, but more toxic. They have a toxic effect on liver and bone marrow cells, suppress appetite, and can cause vomiting and loss of appetite.
A drug such as butamide has proven itself well (the daily dose is 2 grams). Bucarban is prescribed at 1.5 grams per day. For cyclamide, the daily dosage is 1 gram. Chlorpropamide is prescribed at 0.5 grams per day. All drugs have a single treatment regimen. In the first days of treatment, the maximum daily dose of the drug is prescribed, then it is reduced to the optimal maintenance dose. Ineffectiveness of sulfonamide therapy for 7 days indicates the need to prescribe insulin.
Ointments for itching in diabetes
Non-hormonal ointments have proven themselves to be a good means of symptomatic treatment against itching. They eliminate unpleasant symptoms quite quickly, act gently, without having a systemic effect on the body. Despite the fact that they do not contain hormones, they still cannot be called absolutely safe. They can have serious side effects, especially if taken uncontrollably, if the treatment regimen is violated. There are also many cases in which these ointments are contraindicated.
By using a non-hormonal ointment, you can eliminate the symptoms (reduce their manifestation), but not cure them completely. This is due to the fact that the cause of itching is a disease - diabetes. Therefore, the main therapy should be aimed at getting rid of the cause. Then the symptoms will go away on their own. The use can only restrain the manifestation of symptoms.
A big advantage is that they do not penetrate the skin barrier into the blood, and therefore do not have a systemic effect on the body.
The disadvantages include the fact that they contain a large number of various toxic substances. All of them are potent. Therefore, some people do not tolerate them well. If you use these products incorrectly, you can only increase the itching.
Ointments are applied externally, applying a thin layer to the skin surface, rubbing in with massaging movements. Salicylic and zinc ointments are used almost traditionally.
Anti-itch sprays for diabetes
Itching can be treated not only with creams, but also with sprays. They have a similar mechanism of action. The only difference is that they are in the form of an aerosol, in which the active substances are suspended in the form of a dispersed solution. They help eliminate itching and other symptoms of diabetes. The advantage is that when sprayed, the particles are evenly distributed over the entire affected area, contributing to a reliable film that has a long-term effect on the body.
Vitamins
In diabetes mellitus, increased intake of vitamins is recommended. Retinol acetate is prescribed one tablet (0.001 g) three times a day for a month. Also prescribed is 1 ml of 1% riboflavin solution. A course of 15 injections of pyridoxine hydrochloride is recommended - 1 ml of 5% solution. Cyanocobalamin is prescribed at 80 mg (10 injections). Ascorbic acid is administered intravenously at 5 ml of 5% solution, 15 injections. Nicotinic acid is administered at 0.05 grams three times a day for 2 months.
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapy is rarely used to eliminate itching. The main method is electrophoresis, which allows you to eliminate disturbing symptoms in a relatively short time. In this case, drugs penetrate directly into the inflammation site under the influence of microcurrent. This enhances their effect, reduces the need for dosage. Accordingly, the risk of side effects and overdose is reduced.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies have always been effective in treating any disease, including itching. Basically, various external remedies are used to eliminate itching - ointments, decoctions for lotions, compresses.
An ointment made from plant components is widely used. To prepare the ointment, take badger fat (50 grams will be enough), melt it over low heat. The product must be stirred constantly. Add 2 tablespoons of honey, continue stirring until a homogeneous mass is formed. Separately, grind about 2 tablespoons of coffee beans, slowly stirring, pour the ground coffee into the prepared mixture. Stir and remove from heat. Allow to harden. After that, cut into small pieces, use to lubricate damaged areas.
You can also use an ointment of a different composition. To prepare it, grind oats (about 5-6 tablespoons) and coffee (2-3 tablespoons) separately. Heat about a glass of milk in a small bowl. Stirring gently, pour in the ground oats first, then the ground coffee beans. Stir until a homogeneous mass is formed. Remove from heat, allow the components to settle to the bottom. Then strain through cheesecloth. The decoction can be used for lotions on the affected area. Mix the resulting thick mass with a tablespoon of honey, stir until smooth. Allow to stand for 1-2 hours. Apply a thin layer to the affected area several times a day.
An ointment based on mustard powder has proven itself well. To prepare the ointment, you will need any cream base, but it is better to use regular baby cream. Squeeze the tube of cream into a convenient container. Add a teaspoon of mustard powder, then mix the product thoroughly and apply to the affected area.
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How to eliminate itchy skin in diabetes?
The condition can be alleviated in various ways. In addition to the usual drug therapy, which is traditionally prescribed in such cases and which must be strictly followed, some folk or homeopathic remedies can also be used.
Let's look at some recipes.
- Recipe No. 1.
An ointment made from dried raspberry leaves has proven itself well. To prepare it, take dried leaves, crush them in a mortar, if possible to a powder state. Then add one egg yolk to the resulting powder, mix thoroughly. Add a tablespoon of sesame flour. Mix everything thoroughly. Take the resulting mass and apply a thin layer to the affected area. Repeat this daily until the itching stops bothering you.
- Recipe No. 2.
An ointment made from tar and meadowsweet works well. To prepare the ointment, take about 50 grams of tar, melt it in a water bath, add 5-10 grams of meadowsweet, stir until a homogeneous mass is formed, and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Apply a thin layer to the area that is prone to itching. You can apply it up to three times a day. Duration of treatment is until the itching disappears completely.
- Recipe No. 3.
Bee venom with bone meal quickly eliminates itching of any etiology, including diabetes. Take about 50 grams of bee venom, melt it in a water bath, add a teaspoon of bone meal, mix thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is formed. The resulting ointment is applied to the skin 3-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.
Treatment of genital itching in diabetes
The cause is a violation of the microflora and local immunity. In order to get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon, you can use various medications and folk remedies. Lotions, compresses, douches are used. But the easiest way to get rid of itching is washing. There are many different recipes for washing. We will give the most effective (oils and decoctions that can be added directly to the water for washing).
- Recipe #1. Oil based on plant extracts
Stevia and nettle oil improves the immune system, normalizes mucous membranes, normalizes urogenital microflora, relieves itching and irritation. To prepare, take 2 tablespoons of the herb and pour two glasses of boiled hot sunflower or olive oil. Allow to brew under a tightly closed lid for 2-3 hours, after which you can use the oil for washing. It is recommended to add two tablespoons of oil to 5 liters of warm water used for washing. The water should be warm.
- Recipe #2. Butter and vegetable oil
Plantain, burdock and cherry leaves are used as a plant base. These substances have wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. The leaves are crushed. Separately, 100 grams of butter are melted (on low heat). After the butter has melted, the pre-crushed plant leaves are added to it. Continue stirring until a homogeneous mass is formed. Remove from heat and allow to harden. After this, the product is stored in the refrigerator. Add 1-2 teaspoons to a wash basin.
- Recipe #3. Mustard-oat oil
To prepare, take 200 ml of mustard oil and heat it over low heat until warm. Separately, grind the oats in a coffee grinder until they become powdery. Then add the resulting powder to the bowl with warmed mustard oil. About 30 grams of oat powder is used for 20 ml of mustard oil. Mix everything thoroughly and let it sit for 10-12 hours, after which you can use the oil for washing. It is recommended to add two tablespoons of oil to 4-5 liters of warm water used for washing. The water should be warm. You need to wash as itching appears, there are no restrictions on the amount of use.
If you want to quickly and effectively eliminate itching in diabetes, you need to remember that when using any means, it is important to adhere to the principle of regularity - use the means systematically during the entire course of treatment, and also finish the course of treatment even if the symptoms no longer cause discomfort.
Treatment of itchy scalp in diabetes
When itching of the head occurs, various medications are prescribed. First of all, it depends on the cause of the itching. So, if the cause is increased sensitization of the body, the development of an allergic reaction, excessive histamine in the blood, it is quite easy to solve the problem. In this case, antihistamines are prescribed. The simplest remedy is suprastin. This remedy has been known for more than 30 years, and still does not lose its effectiveness and relevance. The recommended dosage is 1 tablet 2-3 times a day. The frequency (number of doses per day) depends on the severity of the disease and the severity of symptoms. If the itching bothers a person greatly and becomes unbearable, one tablet is prescribed up to 3-4 times a day. With moderate itching, one tablet per day is enough. It is necessary to take into account that the drug can cause drowsiness and slow reaction. This should be taken into account by people whose work requires increased concentration. It is also necessary to be careful when driving a car.
When using any medications, you must be careful and consult a doctor before taking any, even the most harmless, remedy. It is also important to take any medications, including antiallergic ones, only after the exact cause of the pathology has been determined. This is due to the fact that in most cases, the treatment of itching is etiological, that is, aimed at eliminating the cause of the pathology.
It is important to consult a doctor, since improper use of medications can lead to a number of complications and pathologies, in particular, itching can spread to other parts of the body and intensify if the drug is selected incorrectly, concomitant diseases and exacerbations of chronic pathologies can occur if the treatment regimen is not followed.
Treatment for itchy ears in diabetes
Diabetes is accompanied by itching of various localizations, including in the ear area. In order to get rid of itching in the ears, you need to see a doctor (otolaryngologist), who will carefully examine the ear and prescribe the necessary treatment. You should not take any action on your own, since you can only worsen the condition.
You can take an antiallergic drug on your own if the itching is very severe and the person has a tendency to allergic reactions. Thus, the No. 1 drug for treating allergies is suprastin. It should be taken once, which will relieve the itching. In order to eliminate the pathology completely and prevent relapses, it is worth taking the full course of treatment: one tablet 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 5-7 days. If suprastin does not have an effect and the itching is not eliminated, it is recommended to take loratadine. It is taken 1 tablet per day, since this is a prolonged-action drug. It acts within 24 hours. It is not recommended to exceed the dosage, since severe intoxication, drowsiness may develop, and the symptoms may only intensify.
It is not recommended to use local medications and ointments, as there is a risk of damaging the eardrum, which can lead to severe pain and hearing loss.
Herbal treatment
Various plants are used to treat itching. Orchis maculata is used in the form of mucus. It can be used internally and externally, applied to the affected area.
It is quite easy to prepare mucus. It is contained in root crops in fairly large quantities (up to 50%). Mucus is useful for the digestive tract, it coats the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. The tubers are rich in nutrients, which can also be added to soup, drinks. Some even make dough from this plant. It is better to prepare fresh products each time.
Ephedra is also used for itching. Green branches of the plant, collected in August, are used. It is mainly used in the form of decoctions and infusions. It has a softening effect on the body, eliminates irritation, itching, and other unpleasant sensations, including itching. The infusion is used mainly externally. It is applied to the affected areas about three times a day. You can also drink the decoction, a tablespoon several times a day. This will speed up the healing process.
Horse sorrel is used in the form of roots and leaves. The leaves contain oxalic acids, vitamins, the roots contain tannins. The leaves, due to their composition, provide restoration of the body, normalize metabolic processes, including carbohydrate. The roots eliminate various pathological phenomena and unpleasant symptoms from the skin, digestive tract. It is also used for liver diseases. It is mainly used in the form of a decoction.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies have found wide application in eliminating various skin diseases, including itching of various origins. It is necessary to use remedies with caution: they can have side effects. If used incorrectly, it is possible not only not to eliminate itching, but also to intensify it. Therefore, it is important to take precautions: consult a doctor before starting treatment.
It is also important to perform a test when using external agents: do not apply to a large area of skin at once. First, test on a limited area of skin. It is better to do this on the inside of the palm. If no redness or pain occurs within 10-15 minutes, you can apply the ointment to the entire affected area.
You can use a celandine ointment. To prepare it, you will need baby cream or any other cream. Squeeze it into a bowl that is convenient for mixing. Then add 2-3 tablespoons of dry celandine leaves, crushed in a mortar until fine. Mix thoroughly until smooth, after which you can apply this ointment to the areas where you feel itching.
For general strengthening of the body, use fortified syrup. To prepare the syrup, you need about a glass of rosehip syrup, hawthorn syrup, 2 glasses of pomegranate. Mix all this together, add 2-3 tablespoons of honey. Stir until smooth. Take a third of a glass for about 28 days.
You can strengthen your body with a strengthening mixture: rowan, sea buckthorn and viburnum are taken in equal parts and put through a meat grinder. After that, everything is thoroughly mixed, a teaspoon of ground ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg is added.
You can use another infusion. It will help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, normalize metabolic processes, and eliminate skin pathologies. To prepare the infusion, you will need about 50 grams of walnut partitions, 2-4 tablespoons of stevia, 1 tablespoon of dry nettle leaves, and 100 grams of any berries or fruits to add flavor and aroma, and pour in vodka or alcohol. Infuse in a dark place for 2-3 days, you need to drink this remedy a third of a glass daily for a month. This will not only eliminate itching, but also restore metabolism.
Surgical treatment
Surgical methods are not used to treat itching. Surgical methods are also rarely used in diabetes. They can only be used if complications arise that require immediate surgical intervention. Operations can be urgent and planned. Urgent ones are performed according to emergency indications, while planned ones require careful preparation in advance.