Does diabetes cause dry skin?

Yes, high sugar drains moisture from the body. I barely have time for long routines, so I keep a big tub of Cetaphil at my desk. Apply it twice a day and monitor your sugar levels regularly, otherwise no cream will work.

Honestly, my uncle has diabetes and his skin looks so dry and flaky during winters. He says his doc told him that poor circulation and fluid loss due to high glucose causes this. He literally bathes in coconut oil now, lol.

Dryness is very common because of high sugar levels. Try applying fresh aloe vera gel or pure mustard oil on your damp skin after washing. It deeply hydrates. But along with these remedies, do keep an eye on your daily diet to manage the root cause.

My hands have been peeling and staying very dry lately, and my mother suggested I check my blood sugar. Is dry skin really one of the first signs? If anyone has faced this, please tell me how you got tested.

Absolutely, it causes extreme dryness because the body tries to flush out excess sugar through urine, dehydrating your skin. Avoid very hot water baths as they strip away natural oils. Use a urea-based cream on your feet and keep your sugar in check.

I can only speak from my own journey with diabetes. I noticed severe dry skin around my ankles and elbows when my levels were peaking. I started drinking lots of water and switched to very mild soaps, which helped ease the irritation.