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A Guide To Skin Conditions of The Diabetic Foot - Podiatry Today
A Guide To Skin Conditions of The Diabetic Foot - Podiatry Today
A Guide To Skin Conditions of The Diabetic Foot - Podiatry Today
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http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/2960
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Issue Number: Volume 17 - Issue 9 - September 2004
Author(s): By Robert G. Smith, DPM, RPh, CPed
One-third of the 17 million patients with diabetes develop manifestations of the disease that affect their
skin.1,2 The cutaneous manifestations and signs of diabetes can heighten the suspicions of the practitioner
regarding the diagnosis of these skin conditions. Patients with diabetes who have peripheral sensory
neuropathy and impaired circulation are at an increased risk of developing complications from skin and
nail conditions like onychomycosis.3 These skin changes of the foot can lead to the formation of a diabetic
foot ulcer and potentially limb-threatening infections. There are four categories of skin manifestations in
diabetes: skin changes associated with diabetes, cutaneous manifestations of diabetes, cutaneous
infections and skin reactions to anti-diabetic treatments. In order to recognize these manifestations and
arrive at an appropriate treatment course, one must have a strong grasp of the various ways that diabetes
can affect the skin and the lower extremities (see Understanding How Diabetes Affects The Skin Of The
Foot below). Understanding How Diabetes Affects The Skin Of The Foot Diabetes affects the skin and
lower extremities in many ways. Glucose comprises between 35 to 65 percent of the blood in the human
epidermis. The transport of glucose into epidermal cells is not dependent on insulin but requires
hexokinase and glucose-C-phosphate. The resulting elevated ratio of glucose in the epidermis of diabetic
patients does not seem to have a pathological effect with the exception of potentating skin infections with
saprophytic organisms like Candida albicans.4 Poor blood glucose control increases the risk for skin and
foot manifestations and cutaneous complications with diabetes, and can compromise a patients vascular
system.5 Researchers have shown that peripheral vascular disease is associated with diabetes.6
Arteriosclerosis of the arteries of the legs results in generalized cutaneous skin changes that may include
a waxy appearance, atrophy, a loss of hair growth, skin temperature cooling at the distal digits, nail
dystrophy, pallor on elevation and mottling on dependence. 7 A reliable sign of large vessel disease is
dependent rubor with a delayed return of color greater or equal to 15 seconds after one has applied
pressure to the skin. 8 Almost all patients with diabetes have capillary basement membrane thickening.
However, this does not lead to occlusive microvascular lesions in and of itself. 9 Thickening of the vessel
walls with perivascular deposition of PAS-positive material and clumping of elastic fibers in the upper
dermis are the most prominent histopathologic markers in diabetic skin. 4 The signs of microangiopathy
may include cutaneous reactive hyperemia and reduced capillary flow. The nail changes associated with
microangiopathy include Beaus lines, pterygium, proximal fold capillary microscopic changes, splinter
hemorrhages and yellow nail discoloration.7,10 Pertinent Pointers On Treating Xerosis Generalized xerosis
or dry skin is one of the most common skin conditions one will see among patients who have type 2
diabetes. It is particularly prevalent among elderly patients. At times, the foot may become very dry,
leading to peeling and cracking. The problem arises with the nerves that control the oil and moisture in the
foot. Sebaceous and sweat glands maintain skin lubrication. The glands become atrophied in the presence
of autonomic neuropathy. Another reason for dryness is the redistribution of blood flow in the soles by
persistent and inappropriate dilatation of arteriovenous shunts. This activity diverts blood away from the
skin surface. When this occurs in combination with alterations in the elasticity of the skin (due to
non-enzymatic glycosylation of structural proteins and glycoproteins), the skin splits and portals for
bacteria are created. Both pruritis and a sensation of burning usually accompany xerosis as principal
symptoms. Structural changes occur among the aligned parallel corneocytes in normal skin as a result of
xerosis. 11 A roughened epidermal surface results from the disruption of these cells. The progression of
xerosis follows a defined pattern. Initially, the skin becomes dry and rough with pronounced skin lines. As
the condition progresses, superficial scaling with fissuring and erythema develops. As a result of xerosis,
the skin loses its flexibility. Therefore, it is less elastic and loses its ability to withstand trauma, which may
result in skin breakdown, leading to a variety of infections. Practitioners can assist these patients by
choosing an agent to maintain skin moisture. One should avoid recommending products that contain
alcohol because they evaporate and their drying action compounds the original problem. Petroleum based
products seal the skin surface and prevent what little lubrication is made from evaporating, but they do not
penetrate the surface of the skin and do not replace skin moisture. Alpha hydroxy acids are frequently
used to treat xerosis. Alpha hydroxy acids include glycolic, citric, lactic, mandelic and tartaric acid.
Through a chemical process, these acids accelerate the softening of the skin, dissolving or peeling the
outer layer of the skin to help maintain the skins capability to hold moisture. Lactic acid in concentrations
of 2.5 percent to 12 percent is the most common alpha hydroxy acid used for moderate to severe xerosis.
When treating patients who have neuropathic disease, one should exercise caution with creams that
contain high concentrations of either urea or acetylsalicylic acid, given the corrosive nature of these
creams. While application of topical emollient creams may not prevent the skins deterioration, the
application process does facilitate regular inspection of the feet among patients with diabetes. A Helpful
Primer On Diabetic Thick Skin, Yellow Skin, Diabetic Dermopathy And Diabetic Anhidrosis The prevalence
of cutaneous disorders does not seem to differ between type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. However,
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macerated and have scaling borders and at times may be vesicular. Trichophyton rubrum produces scaling
and thickening of the soles, often extending just beyond the plantar surface in a moccasin distribution.
Tinea pedis may be complicated by secondary bacterial infection, cellulitis or lymphangitis. If chronic tinea
pedis infections go untreated, they can spread to the toenails and destroy the nail plates. The treatment of
interdigital tinea pedis depends on the severity of the disease. Whether one uses a cream or a gel,
antifungal topical products can help dry interdigital maceration. Researchers have discussed topical
products, classifications and the effectiveness of these agents in both tertiary and primary literature
sources. 26-30Candida infections commonly develop in older patients with diabetes mellitus and may be an
early indicator of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. Candida paronychia commonly involves the nail fold. Its
symptoms include erythema, swelling, pain and loss of the cuticle. Extensive erythrasma occurs in obese
patients with diabetes and is caused by the infectious agent Corynebacterium minutissimum. Common
bacterial infections of the diabetic skin are caused by Staphylococcus aureus and B-hemolytic
streptococci. The conditions these organisms cause include impetigo, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles,
ecthymata, cellulitis and erysipelas.4,7 Lower extremity erysipelas infections are often complicated by
bullous lesions, leading to diabetic gangrene. 4,7,12 Understanding The Possible Consequences Of
Untreated Onychomycosis In Patients With Diabetes Researchers have reported the prevalence of
onychomycosis among diabetic patients to be as high as 35 percent.3,31-33 One commonly sees
onychomychosis in association with tinea pedis. It has an 80 percent prevalence rate among the elderly
because of its strong age dependency. If onychomychosis is neglected in the patient with diabetes, it can
contribute to severe consequences in the diabetic foot. Patients with diabetes who suffer from peripheral
sensory neuropathy and impaired circulation are at a higher risk of developing complications from
onychomycotic nails. 3 Treatment options for onychomycosis are similar for patients with diabetes and
those without the disease. There is a variety of treatment options available to treat onychomycosis. They
include mechanical debridement, topical antifungal medications, oral antifungal agents and surgical
intervention. One should exercise caution when considering surgical intervention in these patients due to
the possible risk of secondary infections. 3 How To Recognize Common Cutaneous Reactions To Diabetes
Medications The incidence of allergic reactions to insulin varies from 5 to 10 percent. 4,7 Both local and
systemic allergic reactions occur within the first month of therapy.12 Historically, allergic reactions have
been attributed to impurities found in both the beef and pork insulin preparations, the insulin molecule, and
preservatives and additives like zinc.12 The highly purified or recombinant insulin have reduced allergy
prevalence to between 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent.12,13 Cutaneous allergic reactions take the form of
erythematous or uticarial pruritic nodules at the injection site. They may appear immediately, within 15
minutes to two hours, or be delayed with an onset of four hours or more after injection. 12 These reactions
spontaneously resolve so treatment may be unnecessary. Podiatrists may be able to intervene at two
points. First, they may observe the patients injection technique to ensure the injection itself is not
intradermal in nature. Also, they may act as patient advocates and suggest to the prescribing physician the
substitution of a more purified insulin as the treatment of choice. Mostly, children and obese women
experience insulin-induced lipatropy or loss of fat at the site of injection. These atrophic plaques appear six
to 24 months after starting injections. Both lipolytic components of insulin preparations or an immune
complex mediated inflammatory process that causes the release of lysosomal enzymes have been
implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin induced lipatrophy.4,7,12 First generation sulfonylureas, such as
chlorpropamide, are agents that have reportedly generated the majority of cutaneous reactions among
patients with diabetes.6,9,14 Of the patients who take a sulfonylurea, 1 to 5 percent develop a self-limiting
maculopapular eruption type of cutaneous reaction with two months of starting therapy. One may also see
morbilliform eruptions, generalized erythema or urticarial lesions.4,7,12,34 Litts Drug Eruption Reference
manual notes that using sulfonylureas can cause other reported cutaneous reactions including generalized
erythema, urticaria, photosensitivity, lichenoid eruptions, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis and
erythema nodosum.34 The photosensitive reactions caused by sulfonylureas may be either photoallergic or
phototoxic but photopatch tests are often negative.34 The most frequently reported cutaneous reactions
reported by Litts Drug Eruption Reference manual for glyburide included erythema, exanthems,
photosensivity, pruritus and urticaria. The manufacturer states the incidence of rash or dermatitis in
patients receiving metformin alone is similar to that with placebo, while the incidence of dermatological
side effects in patients receiving both metformin and sulfonylurea antidiabetic agents is similar to the
incidence of receiving an oral antidiabetic sulfonylurea alone.34 Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been
reported to occur in less than 1 percent of patients receiving repaglinide. 35 Final Words Early detection of
skin manifestations of diabetes can help prevent potentially devastating complications. Educational
intervention is critical. One should remind patients that bacterial and fungal infections of the skin are often
associated with diabetes. Preventing these infections requires meticulous care of the patients lower
extremities. Dr. Smith has a private practice in Ormond Beach, Fla.
References:
References 1. National Diabetes Fact Sheet: National estimates on diabetes. Available at:
www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/estimates.htm Accessed March 19,2003. 2. Chakrabarty A, Norman RA, and
Phillips TJ. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes. Wounds 2002; 14(8): 267-274. 3. Pollak RA. How to
treat onychomycosis in diabetic patients. Podiatry Today 2003; 16(3):40-50. 4. Meurer M and Szeimies R.
Diabetes mellitus and skin disease. Curr Probl Dermatol 1991; 20: 11-23. 5. Vowden P. Peripheral arterial
disease. 1: Functional investigations. J Wound Care 1997; 6 (2): 77-78. 6. Vowden KR and Vowden P.
Peripheral arterial disease. An update on epidemiology, pathology and aetilogy of vascular disease. J
Wound Care 1996 5(1): 23-26. 7. Perez MI and Kohn SR. Cutaneous manifestation of diabetes mellitus. J
Am Acad Dermatol 1994;30(4): 519-531. 8. Huntley AC. Cutaneous manifestation of diabetes mellitus.
Dermatol Clin 1989; 7 (3):531-546, 9. LoGerfo FW, Coffman JD. Vascular and microvascular disease of
the foot in diabetes: implications for foot care. N Engl J Med 1984;311 (25):1615-1619. 10. Greene RA,
Scher RK. Nails changes associated with diabetes mellitus. J Am Acad Dermatol 1987; 16(5 pt 1):
1015-1020. 11. Kempers S, Katz HH, Wildnauer R, et al. An evaluation of the effect of an alpha hydroxy
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