Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes cause the level of sugar – or glucose – in your blood to become too high. For type 1 patients this happens when your body cannot produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose. Whereas type 2 diabetes is much more common and the raised blood sugar levels are usually caused by being overweight or not exercising enough.
“In some cases, itchy skin may be caused by complications of diabetes such as nerve damage or kidney disease.
“Itching of the feet, legs or ankles is a common complaint in people with diabetes that may occur as a result of a period of too high sugar levels.”
It says the levels of itchiness can range from “annoying to severe”.
The itching can be treated – and potentially “eliminated” if the cause itself is tackled.
DON’T MISS
For people with diabetes, blood sugar level targets are four to seven mmol/L before eating.
And they should be under nine mmol/L for people with type 1 diabetes, and under 8.5 mmol/L for people with type 2 diabetes after eating.
There are a variety of factors that can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including if you:
- Are over 40 (or 25 for south Asian people)
- Have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)
- Are overweight or obese
- Are of Asian, African-Caribbean or black African origin.
