Diabetics are often the victim of a horrible itchy sensation. This is a common side effect of high blood sugar levels, one of the defining factors of diabetes. If you suffer from unbearable itching, scroll down to step 1 to learn how to relieve it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Stop the Itchiness with Changes to Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Prevent your skin from becoming too dry
You can keep your skin hydrated with moisturizers and creams that keep it healthy. Avoid using scented creams and lotions, which can cause a reaction and make the itchiness worse. Hydrate yourself twice a day. Whenever you shower, use moisturizer all over your body or the areas that itch the most.
You should also avoid scented soaps, because the chemicals they contain can cause your skin to dry out too much or cause it to become irritated. Prefer mild, fragrance-free soaps
Step 2. Change the way you bathe
Frequent baths can make itching worse. Limit baths to once every two to three days. The frequency of bathing can vary according to the climate and your activity status. But once every two days should be enough. Avoid using water that is too hot, as it has a tendency to irritate the skin. Use water at room temperature or below. Hot water dilates blood vessels, allowing for faster metabolism of insulin, which can lead to hypoglycemia.
Another reason diabetics shouldn't use hot water is that nerve damage sufferers can lose sensitivity to pain and temperature and may inadvertently burn themselves with hot water
Step 3. Take care of your skin in the summer
Even if summer is the time to sunbathe and have fun, it can also be the worst time for skin irritations. To relieve itching in the summer, wear clothing made from lightweight materials such as cotton. Some fabrics such as wool and silk can cause irritation and itching. You should also:
- Make sure you keep your skin dry and not sweaty, as moisture can make it itchy.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. However, if you do strenuous activities or live in a humid climate, you may need to drink more water.
Step 4. Take care of your skin in the winter
Your skin can easily get too dry during the winter, and it's especially important for diabetics to keep their skin moisturized. Again, moisturize your skin twice a day with fragrance-free lotions. It can also be helpful to turn on a humidifier when the radiators are hot to relieve itching.
Step 5. Reduce your stress levels
Itching can be made worse by stress. This means that when you find yourself in particularly stressful situations, you can find that the itching gets worse. To combat stress, try relaxation techniques. These include:
- Try meditation. Meditating means clearing your mind and releasing the stress you feel within yourself. Meditate for a few minutes each morning to stay relaxed throughout the day.
- Use the trigger word method. Choose a phrase that calms you down, such as "It's going to be okay" or "it's all right". When you start feeling stress, take deep breaths and repeat the sentence until you are calm.
Method 2 of 3: Stop Itching with Home Methods
Step 1. Use a cold compress to relieve itching
When trying to control itching, ice packs are very helpful. Sensations of temperature travel along the same paths as those of itching. Keep the cold compress on the affected area until you feel relief.
You can also take cold showers to relieve itching. However, remember that too frequent showers are not recommended for diabetics, especially if you don't have good control over your blood sugar. Therefore, it is generally best to limit yourself to the use of cold compresses
Step 2. Try oatmeal for relief
Add one cup of colloidal oatmeal to 75ml water and mix until a thick paste is formed. Use your hands to apply this solution to the affected area. Keep the paste on the itchy area for 15 minutes. The oatmeal will soothe the itchiness and give you temporary relief.
Step 3. Use a baking soda solution to soothe the itch
You can try making a paste with half a cup of water and a cup of baking soda. Stir with a spoon to make the dough velvety and well blended. Apply the solution to the affected area and leave it for 15 minutes, you can wash it off.
Method 3 of 3: Stop the Itchiness with Medication
Step 1. Use an over-the-counter cream
Creams and ointments can relieve the itchy sensation you experience. Remember that a coin-sized walnut is enough to cover an area twice the size of your palm. When looking for an over-the-counter medication that can treat itching, look for one that contains one of the following ingredients:
Camphor, menthol, phenol, diphenhydramine and benzocaine
Step 2. Apply steroid ointment to the affected area
You can find itch creams that contain steroids in drugstores. Hydrocortisone creams are generally the best choice and are available at most drugstores, and do not require a prescription. You can also use creams with beclomethasone, which works in the same way as hydrocortisone.
Remember that you shouldn't use a steroid cream or ointment for a long time without consulting your doctor
Step 3. Use antifungal creams to prevent infections
If you are diabetic, you know that your immune system is compromised, which means that you are more prone to infections. For example, you may have fungal infections that grow on the skin and cause itching. Look for antifungal creams that contain:
Miconazole, ketoconazole or benzoic acid
Step 4. Take an antihistamine
Histamine is the hormone that causes the itchy sensation you feel. When you take an antihistamine this hormone is suppressed, and your skin gets relief from it. The most common antihistamines include:
Chlorphreniramine, diphenhydramine. Remember that these drugs can make you sleepy
Step 5. Talk to your doctor about other options
If the medications described above have not given you relief or if you suspect a serious etiology for your itch, you should contact your doctor. He will be able to do further tests to identify the reason for your itching.
