Diabetes and Dry Skin
A third of people with diabetes will suffer from a skin disorder caused or affected by diabetes at some point in their lives.
Skin issues are also regularly seen as one of the first warning signs of having diabetes. Here at Merino, we have been working closely with Diabetes associations for many years regarding the skin problems that affect people with diabetes. Within this Blog, we hope to educate people around diabetes and dry skin and show how Merino has helped many living with diabetes globally.
Diabetes in New Zealand has reached epidemic proportions. The latest figures from the Ministry of Health indicate nearly 250,000 people have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in New Zealand. 36% more people are expected to have this disease in the next 20 years — a staggering and unfortunate prediction. The growth is comparable with international trends, and in the USA, Diabetes is the fastest growing disease.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
A healthy pancreas releases insulin to help your body store and use sugar from the food you eat. Diabetes happens when one or more of the following occurs:
- Your pancreas doesn’t make any insulin
- Your pancreas makes very little insulin.
- Your body doesn’t respond the way it should to insulin
When there isn’t enough insulin or the insulin isn’t used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can’t get into your cells. It builds up in your bloodstream instead; this can damage many areas of the body. Also, since cells aren’t getting the glucose they need, they don’t work the way they should.
How does diabetes affect your skin?
Ultimately high blood sugar levels can affect your skin in many ways. When your body has been exposed to high blood sugar levels, even for a short period, your body can, on occasion, lose fluids. This loss of fluids can make your skin very dry. In addition to this, long-term exposure to high blood sugar levels can damage nerves. This can result in your body sweating less, particularly in the legs and feet (Anhidrosis). Since the skin relies on sweat to help keep it moist, this loss can make it very dry. This dry skin is more prone to having skin issues, including bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching.
Merino Lanolin Skin Cream
Developed in New Zealand by a Pharmacist, Merino Lanolin Skin Cream is formulated from a Lanolin base. Lanolin softens the skin and creates an effective barrier to maintain skin moisture. Lanolin fractions work together with oils and waxes to penetrate the driest skins. Pharmacists, Podiatrists and Diabetes Educators from around New Zealand, Scandinavia, and the USA, have been recommending Merino Lanolin Skin Crème to their patients for years. Merino Lanolin Skin Cream has been used on acute dry skin, cracked heels, scar tissue, psoriasis and eczema. Countless testimonials exist stating a significant improvement in severe skin problems after just a few applications.
“Merino Lanolin Skin Crème really does work. It’s a well-priced, NZ made product, and I always recommend it.”
Charlotte Russell, BSc (Hons), DipPod (NZ), Charlotte Russell Podiatry, Christchurch
“… I recommend Merino Lanolin Skin Crème to patients in my Diabetes class for regular foot & general skincare.”
Sunnie Bell – RN, CDE National Diabetes Educator of the Year. Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Here at Merino, we have been working closely with Diabetes associations for many years regarding the skin problems that affect people with diabetes. Our emollient cream has been formulated to help with dry skin caused by diabetes specifically. Below we have included a step-by-step guide to ensuring moisturised feet and helping minimise skin issues, including bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Give it a try, and we promise you won’t regret it, especially from a New Zealand Owned and operated company.
Your step-by-step guide to caring for your skin and your feet
- Wash your feet with warm (not hot) water and soap – don’t soak them. Dry carefully, especially between your toes.
- Use a pumice stone to remove hard skin. Moisturise every day (not between your toes). Try an emollient cream such as Merino Lanolin Skin Cream, a rich, non-greasy treatment for dry and cracked skin, formulated from lanolin extracts in New Zealand to soften the skin naturally.
- Every 6-8 weeks, cut your nails to the shape of your toes. Please don’t cut down the sides of the nails or try and clean them using sharp items.
- Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, calluses, or thick skin, or any red, swollen, or painful areas. Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet.
- Moisturise the rest of your body every day, using an emollient such as Merino Lanolin Skin Cream.
See a doctor right away if you get a significant cut, burn, or infection. If you have nerve damage or poor circulation in your feet, you should immediately see a doctor if you get any cuts on your feet.
