Disseminated Granuloma In Diabetics: Treatment Options

• Granuloma is a skin problem closely associated with diabetes in people under the age of 30.
• Disseminated granuloma is characterized by well-defined ring or arc shaped areas of raised skin.
• The affected areas may be reddish or brownish, but often there is no color change.
• Usually, disseminated granuloma appears on the fingers, ears, arms, or legs, although rarely it appears on the trunk.

People with diabetes are more likely to develop disseminated granuloma because diabetes can damage the blood vessels and nerves.

Treatment of disseminated granuloma

• Fumaric Acid Esters, administered in pill form, have been shown to alleviate disseminated granuloma in some studies.
• Topical hydrocortisone cream may help reduce symptoms.
• Corticosteroids, ultraviolet radiation, and psoralen have also been used to treat disseminated granuloma.
• Natural treatments are also available. The use of vitamin E has been shown to clear up stubborn cases of disseminated granuloma.
• Usually disseminated granuloma will go away on its own. You should make sure to keep your immune system healthy in order to accelerate the healing process.

If you have diabetes

If you are a diabetic, you should carefully monitor and regulate your blood sugar. Usually this can be accomplished with diet, but insulin or oral medication is sometimes required. Diamaxol is an all natural herbal supplement that may help you regulate your blood sugar.

Other skin problems

There are other skin problems associated with diabetes that are very common.

• Bacterial and fungal infection: Bacteria and fungus feed on sugars, so high blood sugar can encourage growth of fungus or bacteria.
• Diabetic Dermopathy: This condition results in round patches of skin that are slightly discolored, usually brownish or purplish. They usually appear on the shins of people who have been diabetic for years. This condition can usually be cleared up with blood sugar control and zinc supplementation.
• Necrobiosis Lipoidica: The skin becomes thin and transparent, so the veins and subcutaneous flesh can be seen. This usually appears on the legs and is three times more likely to occur in women than men. This condition is very difficult to treat. The best prevention is good blood sugar control.
• Scleroderma diabeticorum: With this skin condition, skin on the back and the neck becomes hard and thick. Controlling blood sugar and moisturizing may help.
• Vitiligo: This condition, where the skin cells that produce pigment die, results in discolored skin patches. Treatment includes topical steroid creams or tattooing.
• Acanthosis nigricans: This skin condition causes the skin to become darker and thicker. This usually precedes full blown diabetes. It usually affects severely overweight people.
• Digital sclerosis: This skin condition causes the skin on the hands, fingers, and toes to become tight and seem waxy. Sometimes the joints may seem stiff.

Most of these skin conditions can be prevented by good blood sugar control. Be sure to check your blood sugar regularly and stick to the diet and treatment plan set out by your health practitioner. Sources http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_complications/diabetes_skin_changes.php http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/skin-problems?page=3 http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=13653990 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-5945/2/5 http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Doi=83514 http://www.diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids/what-is-diabetes/skin-complications.jsp