While common, cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial infection of the skin. In severe cases or when left untreated, it can spread to the blood and lymph nodes, potentially elevating to a life-threatening condition.
The combination of reduced circulation and suppressed immune system performance places both type 1 and type 2 diabetics at higher risk of infection, including cellulitis. According to internal medicine specialist Nizar A. Tejani, MD, careful blood sugar control is your best defense against infection.
As an expert on diabetes, Dr. Tejani stays alert to signs of cellulitis in his patients since even minor injuries can quickly escalate into serious conditions that can threaten your limbs and your life. Here’s what you need to know about the connection between cellulitis and diabetes.
The short answer is yes. In general, people with diabetes have a greater risk of infection, meaning over 38 million Americans with diabetes could be vulnerable to cellulitis and other skin infections, as well as those in the respiratory system, urinary tract, and more.
The bacteria that cause cellulitis typically enter your body through skin injuries like burns, cuts, scrapes, or ulcers. Once inside the surface of your skin, these bacteria burrow into deeper skin layers and, in some cases, into the bloodstream and other body tissue.
Symptoms of cellulitis include:
If you have one or more of these symptoms, seek prompt medical attention, particularly if the size or nature of the rash is changing quickly.
As a diabetic, you likely know that the feet and legs are potential problem spots for complications of diabetes. Elevated blood sugar takes a toll on both blood vessels and nerve tissue, meaning that injuries to your lower limbs take longer to heal, and you may not have sensations coming from wounds.
Injuries can progress to ulcers, increasing the risk of bacteria invading the skin. If an injury is in a hard-to-see location, you may not be aware that an infection has started.
As well as these physical changes, your immune system has a greater risk of suppressed function, meaning that it’s easier for infections to take hold and overwhelm your body’s natural defences. Since blood flow to your lower limbs is already compromised, so is the supply of white blood cells, which is a key infection fighter in your body.
The best way to deal with all the health risks that diabetes brings is through careful control of your blood sugar levels, through medication, lifestyle changes, and, if necessary, supplemental insulin.
Consider adding Dr. Tejani to your diabetes support team for the best and most up-to-date information and treatment. Contact our office in Stockbridge, Georgia, by phone or online to book your appointment today.
