Prickly Skin

We cannot diagnose but we might be able to help you better if we know a little more about you. Do you know what your Bg levels are throughout the day and in particular when you feel this way ? There are many things it might be and not all are Diabetes related.

There are many side effects of drugs which can also be responsible for various things. Have you discussed this fully with your GP as it is not strictly true to say you won't be bothered by any side effects. Everybody is different and drugs can react differently in each individual. ?

Ken

It is possible that the 'prickly skin' effect could be down to really high Bg levels. I know from my own experience a while back when I was getting really high Bg levels my skin was what I would describe as 'tingly.' Possibly the same sort of feeling. However as I said there are many other causes, maybe skin complaints so it really needs to be discussed which you are obviously going to do.

Let us know how you get on.

Ken

Is this a problem you've had since starting on Gliclazide? If so, it could be to do with low BG since it is happening when you are hungry or have missed a meal, because Gliclazide can cause hypos, though your symptoms aren't typical of these. When I'm hypo I don't feel prickly, but I do get shaky and also have an indescribable "crawly" sensation in my arms and upper body, so there is some similarity. I can only suggest you test your BG when you feel like this, then you'll know one way or the other. If it is due to hypo its probably easily dealt with by taking dextrotabs. Better still, try to avoid long periods without food, and don't miss meals!

Has the prickly-ness only started since the begining of warmer weather? (I hesitate to call it summer!) I have had this for years, my GP said it's prickly heat, linked to hay fever, so she prescribed Clarityn which does lessen the urge to scratch. Never linked it to the Diabetes before, but will keep an eye on it, thanks for the posting.

Yes. I had the 'prickly heat' as it was called up until I was about 17 yrs old, used to get it every time I went out in the sun, up my arms and it did itch like blazes ! I cured it myself by just going cold or should I say 'hot Turkey'. I went outside on one of the hottest days of the summer and stuck it out till I couldn't take any more. From that day to this.....not a single instance of it at all. Non medical just a thing my old Granny told me to do. It worked .......

Ken

Hi,
As a type 1 I use insulin . If I have low blood sugars I sometimes become supersensitve with tingling in my limbs and digits.My blood glucose drops very quickly in hot weather.
In the past I also suffered from prickly heat (not now as I live in a hotter clime and am better acclimatised) this was, for me, associated with flushed extremities and a tiny rash.
With multiple possibilites, the best thing is to do a glucose test when you feel like this This will help you to work out if the symptoms are related to glucose levels,

Hi Tig2k, I found that I started having prickly skin when I was put on statins. As soon as I came off them it subsided almost immediately.
There has been a great deal of discussion about statins on this forum site, perhaps you would find it informative to hunt this out.

Hi
I was diagnosed T2 in Jan 2010 hab1c 12.1. I was put on metformin which did nothing bt make me feel really ill, at times it was an effort to make a cup of tea. At the same time as starting the medication I started getting a sore sensation best compared to sunburn along with sharp stabbing pains over my stomach area. I also lost a stone in the first month (I wasn't overweight anyway).
Eventually I stopped talking Metformin as after stopping for a week I felt better even though nurse said up the dose. No body seemed interested in the burning sensation. Dr then prescribed 80mg Gliclazide end of April. Hab1c a week ago was 7.7 nurse said up the dose to 80mg twice a day (she still hadn't come across the burning sensation) within 24 hours the sunburn sensation had spread to my back and increase in intensity on my stomach. I have also started to get aches & pain in my joints along with random sharp stabbing pains. I have reduced my Gliclazide back to once a day but damage has been done. I,m trying to get to see my doctor asap.
Good news was the nurse said I could have test strips on prescription (3 tests a week)

hi
please can you help me i was diagnosed about 6 months ago with T2 with hab1c 12.6 was put on metformin 500mg x2 twice a day three months later my habc1 was 8.6 and was put on an injection pen 20mcg of lyxurmia in the morning. i have started getting a very itchy rash at my legs and feet my habc1 was 5.6 two weeks ago is this due to my medication. at first i though is was just a heat rash i had them as a child. when i next saw my diabetic nurse she just gave me cream that very heavy to rub in and i had trouble getting it out of the container can anyone recommend some cream to stop this itching.