Multiple skin symptoms and signs in a type 2 diabetes patient

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous signs of diabetes occur frequently but are rarely acknowledged, and may be easily misdiagnosed as signs of a purely dermatological disease. The role of nurses in recognising skin changes in diabetes cannot be underestimated.

Aim: This paper presents a case of multiple skin manifestations of diabetes in a male with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These skin changes persisted without change over time, despite an improvement in metabolic control of diabetes.

Conclusions: Skin lesion development may be a late complication of diabetes. Due to the potential risks with which such lesions are associated (e.g. the development of diabetic foot lesions), cutaneous skin lesions should be carefully monitored, preferably with the help of qualified nursing staff.

Keywords:

• Type 2 diabetes
• skin symptoms
• diabetic foot syndrome