Why do people with diabetes have black scarring?

Thongkon007

Thongkon007

Member
Why do people with diabetes have black scarring?

But I understand that. People with diabetes if the wound. Wounds are very difficult to heal.
 
Thongkon007 said:
Why do people with diabetes have black scarring?

But I understand that. People with diabetes if the wound. Wounds are very difficult to heal.
Click to expand...

Thongkon007 - Any new scar will usually look more red or darker than the rest of the person's skin, but exactly those colour tones will depend on their natural skin colouring and a bit of heritage/genetics thrown into the mix.

I am Caucasian, although I tan very well. When I scar when untanned, my scars are red/pink, but when deeply tanned are brown, to very dark, depending on the depth of my tan and when the scar happened; before or during my period in the sun. I can be away for several weeks or months at a time.

Personally again, I heal pretty quickly and don't notice any difference to the time before my diagnosis. The only time it took longer for something to heal was when I had a post-operative complication meaning the wound had to drain for several weeks. Neither the op nor the complication were diabetes related.

As usual with diabetes, we all tend to have different experiences.
 
I have mosquito bite scars. They don't fade. I am meaning to try bio-oil. Not sure if diabetic friendly thou.
Not a cheap solution, I understand either.
Mine aren't black but scaring on my pale white legs.
No time to sit in sun but liver performance can interfer with my skin pigment.
Ps. I watch a dr moseley episode where if you sit in sun with a fresh scar it can prevent that scar from fading. So advised not to expose fresh scars to sunlight.
 
There is a condition called Keloid scarring, where the scar grows thicker, harder and sometimes darker than normal scars.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/skin/Pages/Keloidscarring.aspx

Anyone can get them, not just diabetics, and I understand that they become more common the darker the skin.

There are also some skin conditions (which may appear dark) that occur in people who have diabetes, but these are specific skin conditions, not general scarring.

When in doubt, always best to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. :)
 
Thongkon007 said:
Why do people with diabetes have black scarring?
Click to expand...

Where did you get that idea from? Can't say I've noticed any black scarring before.

Thongkon007 said:
But I understand that. People with diabetes if the wound. Wounds are very difficult to heal.
Click to expand...

Wounds can be slower to heal, especially if the persons diabetes isn't well controlled.

But even non-diabetic people will heal at a different rate so don't just assume that any wounds you get will take a long-time to heal, I've had diabetes for 35 years and any wounds have had have always healed well and at a normal rate.
 
it is well known that type 2 diabetics very often suffer from skin-conditions as well... but as I have understood that it is a wide spread of many very different skin conditions...
I could guess that maybe ones cells in general doesn´t work the most efficient like very healthy non-diabetics cells does.. after all diabetes type 2 is a kind of mal-functioning cells desease.. where the cells at least in one way has shut it´s entrance from uptake of glucose... but could be there are more substances, vitamins and minerals that are not optimally uptaken by theese cells in our body being heavily insuline resistant.
 
Last edited:
Thongkon007 said:
Why do people with diabetes have black scarring?

But I understand that. People with diabetes if the wound. Wounds are very difficult to heal.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum @Thongkon007. Due to the excessive amount of glucose in the vascular system and the disruptive nature of diabetes, the healing processes can be hampered. This will vary from person to person based on the severity of the condition. Scarring is prevalent in diabetics, but good wound management and good control of bgl's will assist in rapid healing and less scarring. I had a melanoma removed from my big toe, involving the nail bed and top section. The wound healed well with little scarring and good tissue recovery. Yet previous wounds were slow to heal and very prone to infection. Any wound needs to be treated quickly to avoid infection. With efficient routine and well maintained glucose levels, these problems can be avoided.
67_image.jpg
 
Thongkon007 said:
Why do people with diabetes have black scarring?
Click to expand...

Not noticed personally and I've got 2 TKRs and a laparotomy scar to go by. The cellulitus caused by 2 leg infections caused by mosquito bites has meant that the shin below the knee is very dark and I've been told that it's because the little blood vessels below the skin which were straight and are now bunched up, causing a darker colour.
 
Thongkon007 said:
Why do people with diabetes have black scarring?

But I understand that. People with diabetes if the wound. Wounds are very difficult to heal.
Click to expand...
Not all of us @Thongkon007 I've been living with type 1 for 51 years and I have never got an infection from a wound or cut. Not once and I really don't do anything extra when treating a cut or wound. In fact as far as I know I don;t have any complications - hope it stays that way :)
Just lucky I guess ...
 
Thanks for all the comments.

I say that people with diabetes who have black scar color?
1. Because my mather has diabetes.
2. I noticed that my mother's. The wound healed and became black.

And I say that but I understand that. People with diabetes if has the wound. Wounds are very difficult to heal.
1. My mother has undergone surgery. After the diabetes. The treatment of wounds on the right hand takes a long time.
2. After the wound healed. The skin wound area becomes black.

Symptoms of diabetes vary. I understand.

I noticed from my mother.

It is a fact.

Thank you.
 
Thongkon007 said:
Thanks for all the comments.

I say that people with diabetes who have black scar color?
1. Because my mather has diabetes.
2. I noticed that my mother's. The wound healed and became black.

And I say that but I understand that. People with diabetes if has the wound. Wounds are very difficult to heal.
1. My mother has undergone surgery. After the diabetes. The treatment of wounds on the right hand takes a long time.
2. After the wound healed. The skin wound area becomes black.

Symptoms of diabetes vary. I understand.

I noticed from my mother.

It is a fact.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
I am not usually outspoken on this forum, but it may be a fact for your mum but it is most certainly not for ALL diabetics!!

I am sorry to hear that your mum is scarring in this way but and it may be worth investigating further but it is not the norm for all diabetics as I am sure you have guessed from the previous responses!

I have been type 1 for 37 years and have had several surgical procedures and many an accident in that time and have NEVER had black scarring!

I realise this is causing you some distress to see your mum like this otherwise you wouldn't be posting but I feel like others I need to put you straight, it is not a fact for all diabetics.

If you are struggling with symptoms that your mum is experiencing as a diabetic, (and you strike me as caring) then you can always ask for advice on here, you need not be alone and most people will give you an honest answer, even if it is not the one you were expecting!!:blackeye:
 
Back
Top