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Good skin
care habits are important. When you have
diabetes, you want to look good and stay
healthy.
Here are a
few tips for skin care.
- Use a
mild soap with warm or lukewarm water on a daily
basis.
- Dry
yourself very well with a soft
towel.
- Use a
skin softener, lotion, or cream on dry
skin.
- Use a
mild powder such as baby powder after
bathing.
- Use a
sunscreen to avoid sunburn. SPF 10-15 is
best.
- Avoid
scratches, punctures, and other injuries to your
skin.
- If you do
have an injury, take care of it as soon as
possible. (See tips below
for how to take care of an injury.)
Our skin is
protection for our bodies.
A lifetime of
healthy skin is very important, so please
avoid these things on your skin:
- Do not
use strong or heavily perfumed
soaps.
- Do not
let your skin become too dry. Dry skin cracks,
making it easier for infection to
start.
- Do not
use harsh lotions, or medicated or perfumed
powder.
- Do not
stay in the hot sun too long.
- Do not
walk on hot sand or pavement without
shoes.
- Do not
use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or very hot
water.
- Do not
use iodine, boric acid, alcohol, or antiseptic
lotions on a wound.
Sometimes
we do get injured. Here are some tips to treat your
wounds:
- Take care
of cuts or wounds as soon as
possible.
- Wash the
area well with water.
- Cover the
wound with a dry, sterile pad or
bandage.
- Go to the
clinic if cuts or bruises do not heal within 2
or 3 days.
- Go to the
clinic if you see any signs of
infection.
Here are
signs of infection:
- redness
- swelling
- warmth
- rash
- pain
- drainage
From the Alaska Area Diabetes Program
Alaska Native Medical Center
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
http://www.alaska.net/~akdm/Clinical/patient_ed/SkinCare_pat_ed.htm
8/31/03
Reproduced with permission.
Also see:
keep your feet and skin healthy
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