Itchy Spots

[tinyroman]

Ive had type 1 diabetes since 1981 and am now almost 60.
Before getting it, I can distinctly remember wearing low-backed dresses and other risqué (well, for the 60s/70s!) outfits, but for many years now I've had the most horrible acne-like spots on my back. They itch all the time and drive me crazy. For some reason these spots are nowhere else and even though I don't wish to wear backless stuff now, I'd like to get rid of them.
Does anyone know what they are? why I've got them? Are they something to do with the diabetes? Over the years I've had antibiotics, creams, dietary advice, and even a biopsy to see if they were caused by little creatures under the skin. All without result, so any information anyone can give me would be really welcome.
Thanks, all!

 

[MCMLXXIII]

I'm type 2 and was getting really itchy legs.
I now take flaxseed in both milled and oil form and it seems to have sorted me out.

Sent from my KFTT using DCUK Forum mobile app

 

[tinyroman]

The skin on my back doesn't seem to be dry, just spotty! But my legs are very dry too, with raised patches of skin and little rashes, so I'll try the flaxseed and see if it improves the condition. Thanks for that!

 

[marie.T1]

hi iam type 1 i have also been suffering with itchy skin ( driving me mad) i mentioned it to my dr and prescribed AVEENO for me i got it on monday i have used it twice already my skin is loads better .

 

[tinyroman]

Never heard of Aveeno, but it sounds good. I've sent for some flaxseed oil and will try that and also will ask dr for Aveen - attack on two fronts. There's no-one to rub it on, so will look for a back scrubber with something on the end to apply it!
Thanks, Marie

 

[Hobs]

Never heard of Aveeno, but it sounds good. I've sent for some flaxseed oil and will try that and also will ask dr for Aveen - attack on two fronts. There's no-one to rub it on, so will look for a back scrubber with something on the end to apply it!
Thanks, Marie

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, Maximum Strength formulation is a steriod and if used sparingly should help with many spotty itchy areas. As for applying it, do you have a good friend that will oblige?

 

[MCMLXXIII]

Use a hydrcortisone cream sparingly though as they do provide relief but thin the skin.

Sent from my KFTT using DCUK Forum mobile app

 

[ewelina]

I have itchy skin as well. Its awful I stopped using any kind of soaps or shower gels and use E45 products only. It helps a lot but it hasn't cured me completely. Need to try aveeno and see how it works. It seems to be my first diabetes complication

 

[tinyroman]

Don't know I'd risk any friendships by asking them to touch my back, Hobbs! I'd rather keep it to myself. I've never thought of itchy skin as a diabetic complication, but suppose just because it's nothing major, like kidney failure or heart disease, doesn't mean it's not one, does it? There must be loads of diabetics with niggly things that mess up comfort every day, that we wouldn't have if we didn't have diabetes.

 

[Hobs]

Don't know I'd risk any friendships by asking them to touch my back, Hobbs! I'd rather keep it to myself. I've never thought of itchy skin as a diabetic complication, but suppose just because it's nothing major, like kidney failure or heart disease, doesn't mean it's not one, does it? There must be loads of diabetics with niggly things that mess up comfort every day, that we wouldn't have if we didn't have diabetes.

Skin problems associated with diabetes are not contagious and I'm of the opinion that a good friend would would not shy away form helping another friend in need.
It may not seem to be anything major right now, but take a tip from me and if you neglect to treat a diabetes related problem as soon as its noticed, it will only get worse and take longer to put right when it is tackled.
I get skin problems in the form of pityriasis rosea that never bothered me once before well into being a T2. My doc allows me to keep a tube of Dermovate cream at home and I self treat at the first sign of it coming back. I get it checked during my usual reviews and he is always pleased with everything when I present myself.. :thumbup:

 

[tinyroman]

The flaxseed oil came yesterday and I stirred it into my breakfast porridge. Very nice! I look forward to seeing if my skin improves, as well as, perhaps, all the other benefits. I'll keep you posted, and thank you all for the advice- I really appreciate it!

 

[Riri]

I have the same spots all over my back. Long term Antibiotics worked but played havoc with stomach and then my blood sugars. Doc says its diabetes related and thought it may some bacteria. She did a swab of one of the spots but it came back clear. As they are still wit me and getting worse my diabetes consultant has written to her to say I shoud be referred to a skin specialist. As you say, they look very unsightly and are quite painful and itchy. I'll keep you posted tinyroman if they get to the bottom of it. I think myself that I any have some kind of allergy?

 

[tinyroman]

Thank you, Riri, I'd really appreciate that. Good luck!

 

[tinyroman]

I'd wondered about allergies, but changing soap powders made no difference, and also these spots are only on my back, and I think an allergy would show in other places too. Do you have them only on yr back, Riri?

 

[MCMLXXIII]

The flaxseed oil came yesterday and I stirred it into my breakfast porridge. Very nice! I look forward to seeing if my skin improves, as well as, perhaps, all the other benefits. I'll keep you posted, and thank you all for the advice- I really appreciate it!

Give it a month. Twice a day if you can. Good luck, i hope it helps.

Sent from my KFTT using DCUK Forum mobile app

 

[Riri]

On my back mostly but when it's bad like now it does creep on to my chest and around the hairline of my neck and face. I have noticed that the sun makes them worse?!. They are so odd as they sometimes clear up of their own accord. Having said that they have been quite bad now since last June apart from the 2 months when on antibiotics - which I guess rules out an allergy. Even when they do clear up though you can still see tiny red bumps under the skin which means that the little blighters are still there!

 

[tinyroman]

I know, Riri, it's horrible! I went on an insulin pump yesterday, and will wait til that's settled, then go see the doc again. What I'd really like is a great big bottle of local anaesthetic to pour over my back!

 

[anne1938]

Someone was talking about mixing linseed with porridge.
I buy linseed loose. I grind it to a fine powder. You can actually buy it in the Health Shop already ground. It is not expensive.
You can also buy LSA which stands for Linseed, Sunflower and Almonds. and use this. I buy linseed and grind it because it is a bit cheaper.
I use this as a cereal and treat it the same way with milk and a bit of low cal sugar.
It has a nutty taste and is the best natural laxative in the world.
Forget your porridges, and your high card weetbix. I use about 2 or so heaped tablespoons. I follow it with a good protein packed breakfast ( two boiled eggs, omelet or such, with a salad Anne

 

[carol39]

I get itchy skin is it because of the diabetic l be diabetic for 28 years but my skin itchy a lot in the night


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[tinyroman]

It was linseed oil mixed with porridge that's good for the skin it seems. I've been doing it for a couple weeks now, and am noticing a gradual change, as I'm not as itchy as before. Hooray! My leg skin is still pretty dry, so I'll keep at it. The ground linseed sounds interesting, so I'll have a go at that. Thanks Anne. I read somewhere that the itchiness is due to having the dry skin that comes with diabetes sometimes, so that may be the problem, Carol. I'm sure lots of others here could confirm or deny that. Maybe you could try the linseed oil too? I'm finding it a real help. Mags