Diabetes often creates dry skin that itches, cracks and opens the door to serious infections for older adults in senior living in New Berlin, WI. When blood sugar levels damage the nerves that control your skin, you may sweat less, leaving skin dry and cracked—making infections more likely. Good care of your skin, however, can treat and prevent these changes while supporting your overall health.
Diabetic seniors face unique skin challenges that require specialized care to prevent serious infections and complications. Here are the essential insights for maintaining healthy skin while managing diabetes in senior living:
For residents in assisted living communities, proper skin care goes beyond comfort—it’s essential for health management, especially for diabetics. Deep cracks can develop in your skin, worsen over time and bleed, raising your risk for serious infections. Effective diabetic skin care means understanding the unique challenges diabetes brings and building consistent habits that work.
Why Are Seniors With Diabetes At A Higher Risk For Skin Infections?
Between thirty and seventy percent of diabetics will experience a skin complication during their lifetime (Edwards E, Yosipovitch G. [Updated 2025 Mar 21]). For older adults with diabetes, skin care represents far more than comfort—it’s essential health protection that prevents serious complications.
How diabetes changes your skin
Diabetes affects your skin in specific ways that create ongoing challenges. High blood sugar levels damage collagen fibers, causing skin to age faster and become more fragile. Your skin’s natural barrier weakens, making it harder to hold moisture and easier for irritants to cause problems.
You might notice diabetic dermopathy—light brown or reddish patches that appear on your shins. These spots aren’t just cosmetic changes. They signal that your skin needs extra attention and care.
Infection risks run higher with diabetes
Diabetes creates conditions where infections develop more easily. High blood sugar usually weakens your immune system and slows your body’s ability to fight off bacteria and fungi. Adults with type 2 diabetes who have HbA1c levels between 8% and 9% face a higher risk of hospitalization for skin, soft tissue and bone infections.
Common infections include:
- Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, causing everything from styes to serious boils
- Candida albicans fungus, particularly in areas where skin folds trap moisture
- Other bacterial infections that thrive when excess glucose is present
Signs of infection to watch for
- Skin that looks swollen, red and discolored
- Areas that feel tender, painful or hot to touch
- Wounds with pus or other fluid
- Honey-colored crusts forming on the skin
- Unusual odor from a wound
- Thickening or discoloration under fingernails or toenails
What Are The Eight Best Skin Care Tips For Older Adults With Diabetes?
Good skin care becomes a key part of diabetes management for older adults. Building consistent habits with the right products prevents complications and supports your quality of life. Here are eight practical skin care steps every diabetic resident should know:
1. Moisturize daily with fragrance-free creams
Managing dryness before it leads to cracks and infection remains your first priority. Apply moisturizer after bathing while your skin still feels damp—this seals in moisture effectively. Choose creams or ointments over lotions since they provide better moisture retention. Products containing ceramides work well because they help restore your skin’s natural protective barrier.
2. Use warm water for bathing
Hot water strips away your skin’s natural oils and worsens dryness. Keep showers and baths lukewarm, limiting bathing time to about five minutes. Pat your skin dry gently rather than rubbing—this prevents irritation on already sensitive skin.
3. Choose gentle, fragrance-free cleansers
Harsh soaps remove natural oils and make dry skin worse. Select mild cleansers designed for sensitive skin, particularly those containing glycerin or other hydrating ingredients. These cleansers clean effectively without stripping away the moisture your skin needs.
4. Keep skin folds completely dry
After bathing, thoroughly dry areas where skin touches skin—under arms, beneath breasts, the groin area and between toes. Moisture trapped in these spots creates perfect conditions for bacterial and fungal infections, which can quickly become serious for people with diabetes.
5. Inspect your feet every day
Diabetes can damage nerves and cause numbness in your feet, so you might not feel injuries when they happen. Look at your feet daily for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or any changes. Use a mirror to check all areas or ask a care team member for assistance.
Daily foot inspection checklist:
- Check for cuts, blisters or redness
- Look for swelling or color changes
- Use a mirror to see all areas
- Ask for help if you need it
6. Treat cracked heels with urea-based products
Cracked heels commonly affect people with diabetes and can lead to serious complications. Apply dermatologically proven creams to soften and smooth dry skin. Urea draws moisture from the air into your skin. Just remember to avoid applying these products between your toes.
7. Protection from the sun and dry conditions
Diabetes increases your sensitivity to sun damage and raises your skin cancer risk. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, wear protective clothing and stay in shade during peak sun hours. During dry weather, use a humidifier indoors to help maintain skin hydration.
8. Wear protective gloves during household tasks
Protect your hands while doing household chores and gardening by wearing appropriate gloves. This prevents cuts, burns and exposure to chemicals that could damage your skin. Since diabetic skin heals more slowly, prevention becomes especially important for avoiding complications.
Protecting Health and Independence
Good skin care matters deeply for older adults managing diabetes—it’s health management, not just comfort. Diabetes changes how your skin functions, making it more prone to dryness and infection, while aging adds another layer of vulnerability. Together, these create real challenges that require attention.
Regular visits with specialists add another layer of protection. Podiatrists and dermatologists know how to spot problems before they become serious complications. Professionals can understand the unique needs of people managing diabetes.
Your skin does important work—it protects you from infection and reflects your overall health. Taking care of it helps you maintain independence and feel better in your daily life. Call Heritage at Deer Creek at (262) 789-6600 to learn more about their diabetic care support and how they help residents maintain healthy, comfortable skin.
FAQs
Q1. Can diabetics use regular moisturizers?
Regular lotions won’t provide the moisture retention you need. Choose creams or ointments instead—they work better for diabetic skin. Look for fragrance-free options with ceramides to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier. Products made specifically for diabetic skin often include urea, which helps with very dry skin while building barrier strength.
Q2. How often should the feet of diabetics be checked?
Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness or other changes. Professional foot exams should happen at least once a year, though people with higher risk may need checkups every 3-6 months or more often.
Q3. How can I prevent skin damage from insulin pumps?
Protect your skin from pump adhesives by:
- Starting with clean, dry skin before application
- Using a skin barrier product first
- Rotating sites regularly—wait at least 10 days before reusing a spot
- Removing adhesives carefully with medical adhesive removers
