Itching due to diabetes: what to know

People with diabetes may notice dry skin, reduced sweating in some areas, altered sensation, or slower recovery from small breaks in the skin. Itching can also be linked to eczema, contact irritation, fungal infection, scabies, or hives. Asteatotic Eczema, Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, Skin Yeast Infection, Lichen Planus, Psoriasis, Scabies, and Hives can present with itching; itching itself does not establish diabetes or explain its control.

Check itchy areas daily, especially the feet, between toes, and skin folds. Wash gently with lukewarm water, pat dry carefully, and moisturise dry skin while avoiding cream between the toes unless a clinician advises it. Keep nails short and cover small scratches with a clean dressing. Follow your diabetes care plan and do not change prescribed treatment based only on an itch. Ask for an examination if the skin is cracked, numb, discoloured, or repeatedly irritated.

Arrange prompt review for a wound that is red, warm, swollen, draining, painful, or slow to improve, or for new numbness or colour change. Seek urgent help for fever with a worsening skin infection, severe weakness, confusion, breathing difficulty, or swelling of the face or throat. A clinician may assess the skin, sensation, medicines, and diabetes management rather than assuming the itch has one cause.

Could dryness, nerve symptoms, infection, or a medicine explain this itch? Should my feet or skin folds be examined? Which moisturiser is suitable? What wound changes need same-day care?