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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sticky Skin On Legs And Ankles When Having Diabetes?

My husband seems to have very sticky skin on his legs and ankles. It balls up like the skin is melting off. He was diagnosed with diabetes this year. We are wondering if that is the problem. We have used alcohol and washed the area and can not get the skin to feel clean.



Tue, 29 Apr 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi, thank you for posting.

This symptom that you refer is caused by diabetic arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis
is caused by high glucose level and dyslipidemia(high cholesterol level, high LDL level and low HDL level).
These changes of metabolism can cause blood vessel injury.
This injury blocks the blood vessels and and damages the skin.

Your husband should follow these advises:
1. Normalize glucose level in blood, by using antidiabetic medicines.
2. Eliminate carbohydrates (white bread, dessert and fastfood) from your diet.
3. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.
4. Normalize cholesterol level(if it is high), by eliminating egg yolk, butter and animal fat from your diet.
5. He should keep his feet and his shoes clean.

To get the right treatment he needs the following tests:
1. Doppler ultrasound.
2. Lipid test, to check the level of cholesterol, trygliceride high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein.
3. Complete blood count.
4. Urine test.
5. Skin culture.

He should consult his endocrinologist and his angiologist.

I hope this information is helpful.

All the best.
Dr. Behar.
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What Causes Sticky Skin On Legs And Ankles When Having Diabetes?

Hi, thank you for posting. This symptom that you refer is caused by diabetic arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is caused by high glucose level and dyslipidemia(high cholesterol level, high LDL level and low HDL level). These changes of metabolism can cause blood vessel injury. This injury blocks the blood vessels and and damages the skin. Your husband should follow these advises: 1. Normalize glucose level in blood, by using antidiabetic medicines. 2. Eliminate carbohydrates (white bread, dessert and fastfood) from your diet. 3. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. 4. Normalize cholesterol level(if it is high), by eliminating egg yolk, butter and animal fat from your diet. 5. He should keep his feet and his shoes clean. To get the right treatment he needs the following tests: 1. Doppler ultrasound. 2. Lipid test, to check the level of cholesterol, trygliceride high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein. 3. Complete blood count. 4. Urine test. 5. Skin culture. He should consult his endocrinologist and his angiologist. I hope this information is helpful. All the best. Dr. Behar.