Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
10:39
Laser Doppler: A Tool for Measuring Pancreatic Islet Microvascular Vasomotion In Vivo
Published on: March 8, 2018
Skin signs in diabetes mellitus.
B Behm1, S Schreml, M Landthaler
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
|February 22, 2012
Summary
Diabetes mellitus, a common endocrine disorder, frequently affects the skin, appearing as early diagnostic signs. Skin manifestations in diabetics can also indicate disease progression and treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent endocrine disorder with increasing incidence.
- Diabetes complications affect multiple organ systems, including blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and skin.
- Skin homeostasis impairment in long-standing diabetes leads to manifestations in over one-third of patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of skin manifestations in diabetes mellitus.
- To emphasize the role of dermatological signs in early diabetes diagnosis.
- To establish skin signs as potential indicators of disease course and therapeutic success.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on diabetes mellitus and its dermatological manifestations.
- Analysis of the diagnostic and prognostic value of skin signs in diabetic patients.
Main Results:
- Skin involvement is a common complication of diabetes, observed in at least one-third of patients.
- Dermatological signs can be the initial presentation of diabetes, prompting focused diagnostic workup.
- Skin manifestations serve as valuable markers for monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Dermatological manifestations are crucial in the comprehensive management of diabetes mellitus.
- Early recognition of skin signs facilitates timely diagnosis and intervention.
- Monitoring skin changes aids in assessing the effectiveness of diabetes management strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
01:19Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the kidneys...
01:22Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...
01:25Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...
01:31Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Definition A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic, non-healing wound that develops in individuals with diabetes. It typically occurs on pressure-bearing areas such as the heel, metatarsal heads, or hallux, and carries a high risk of infection and amputation.Pathophysiology • The development of DFUs can be explained by four interconnected mechanisms: neuropathy, ischemia, infection, and impaired wound healing. • Neuropathy is the most common factor. Sensory neuropathy reduces pain perception,...
01:15Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is based on...