Diabetes

[mmike6163]

my father in law has diabetes and extreme itching. He scrathes until he bleeds.  Do you know of any over the counter cream that may help the itch?

[mixawy]

There are three major types of diabetes:

    Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. Many patients are diagnosed when they are older than age 20. In this disease, the body makes little or no insulin. Daily injections of insulin are needed. The exact cause is unknown. Genetics, viruses, and autoimmune problems may play a role.
    Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. It makes up most of diabetes cases. It usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. The pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure to exercise.
    Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes. Women who have gestational diabetes are at high risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.

[WaveRider]

For t2 diabetics, the best remedy to severe skin itch is to properly control and manage their glucose levels. Is the itching throughout the day or during sleep? If during sleep hours, he needs to check his glucose levels before bedtime and adjust his insulin – if he is on insulin – accordingly. If he is not on insulin, a visit to his doctor is in order.

With medications and lotions, there are no solutions or cures, only temporary relief. Deep skin moisturizers such as CeraVe and Cetaphil help, but again, these only provide temporary relief. Oral antihistamines help to alleviate intense skin itch. Major drawback to antihistamines is drowsiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, and irritability to name a few.

Also, if not done so already, switch to a non-perfumed bath soap and non-perfumed laundry detergent. Take 400 mg of vitamin E daily helps the skin from the inside.

Bottom line, your father in-law needs to see his doctor to get his diabetes reevaluated. Good luck

[diabetes86]

cortisol, maybe.