Does Diabetes Make People Itch?

Higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, like those often found in diabetics, promote skin infections. One out of three people with diabetes will have some sort of skin condition, and the disease increases skin dryness and damages circulation. High glucose levels may particularly affect the genitals as deposited glucose is left behind leading to yeast infections. 11.3% of diabetics may feel skin itching, compared to 2.9% of people without diabetes. The cause may be neuropathy, or nerve damage. Reducing one’s blood sugar levels will probably reduce diabetes related itchiness. However, see a doctor if the itchiness doesn’t go down in a week, or if one is having trouble breathing.