If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your skin healthy, moisturized, and clean to avoid infections. Winter can pose some additional challenges to your efforts, however, due to the effects of cold air. In cold weather, it’s common to have itchy, dry skin, which can lead to cracks and cuts. If left untreated, these can cause bacterial and fungal infections. Here are 9 ways to keep your skin healthy during winter.
Keep your skin moisturized
Use cream, lotion, or ointment on your hands, face, and body often, especially when you feel itchy. Pay close attention to your hands, since frequent washing and use of hand sanitizer can dry them out. It can help to carry hand moisturizer and lip balm with you whenever you leave home.
Use gentle skin and haircare products
Lotions, soaps, and shampoos made with fragrance or dyes may irritate your skin. To avoid this, look for products labeled as fragrance-free or for use on sensitive skin. If you are unsure of what to use, ask your healthcare provider (HCP).
Limit very hot showers
Very hot or very long showers can dry out your skin. To prevent this, stick to showers that are warm rather than hot, avoid staying in them too long, and limit yourself to one per day. It may also help to use moisturizing soaps and apply cream or ointment when finished.
Cover your skin
Hats, gloves, scarves, and coats are essential to keeping your skin protected during cold temperatures. Gloves are especially important, as hands are often the first places to be affected by dry skin. Gloves can also protect your hands from drying out during exposure to water (such as while doing the dishes) and cleaning chemicals.
Wear well-fitting shoes and socks
Heavy winter boots and shoes that don't fit can lead to blisters on your feet. Make sure your shoes are comfortable before wearing them for an extended time. Check your feet for cuts, sores, and blisters every day, and treat any blisters you do get right away so that they don’t get infected. Always keep your socks clean and dry. If you have questions about what types of shoes to wear and if your insurance covers diabetic footwear, ask your healthcare provider.
Try a humidifier
Humidifiers can keep moisture in the air, preventing your skin from drying out. If you have access to one, it can help keep the air in your home at a comfortable level of humidity.
Stay hydrated
Being dehydrated can cause range of health problems, including making it harder for your skin to hold on to its natural moisture. Staying hydrated can help your skin stay moisturized.
Take care of any skin issues
If you do develop any blisters, rashes, or itchy skin, treat them right away. Wash small wounds with soap and water and cover them with sterile gauze until they heal. Contact your HCP or a dermatologist if you have more severe skin issues, like eczema (skin rash caused by inflammation) or psoriasis (which causes scaly, inflamed patches on the skin), or if wounds are slow to heal.
Control your blood sugar levels
One of the best ways to prevent dry skin and support your overall health is to manage your diabetes as best you can. If you have questions about how to manage your diabetes better, treatment options available to you, and whether your insurance covers, ask your healthcare provider.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology Associat... + 5
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Dermatologist’s Top Tips for Relieving Dry Skin. Page last reviewed 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and Your Skin. Page last reviewed June 14, 2022.
- American Diabetes Association. Diabetes and Skin Complications. Page last reviewed 2023.
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Dry Skin Relief from COVID-19 Handwashing. Page last reviewed 2023.
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. 10 Reasons Your Scalp Itches and How to Get Relief. Page last reviewed 2023.
- MedlinePlus. Dehydration. Page last reviewed May 29, 2019.
