Suffering from Diabetic Skin Issues? Think Zinc!

If you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop a range of skin problems. Dry skin is common. High blood glucose levels cause the body to pull fluid from its cells so that it can produce enough urine to remove excess sugar from the body.[1] This leads to dry skin on the legs, elbows, feet, and other areas. In fact, dry skin may be the first sign you have diabetes. If the dry skin becomes cracked, germs can get into these areas and cause infection, which can become a significant problem.

As part of your diabetic skin care regimen, think Zinc!  It’s an important trace mineral found in skin that helps protect your body’s cells from free radicals, which are harmful to your skin and surrounding tissues.[2] Zinc helps repair damaged tissues and heal wounds. 

Zinc helps to control inflammation. It is involved in controlling oxidative stress and regulating inflammatory cytokines (signaling proteins) in a variety of cell types. A zinc deficiency elevates inflammatory response as well as damage to host tissue.[3]

Eat a zinc-rich diet to aid your skin

Since your body does not store a huge amount of zinc, it needs to be consumed through diet. According to the U.S. Department of Dietary Supplements, the recommended dietary allowance of Zinc is 9 mg/day of zinc for women and 14 mg/day for men. [4]  Among foods rich in zinc are: [5]

• Red meats
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Some seafoods, including oysters
• Nuts, including peanuts and peanut butter
• Legumes or beans
• Whole grains
• Oatmeal and other fortified breakfast cereals

Apply zinc topically

Topical zinc preparations, such as zinc oxide, have been used as photo-protecting, soothing agents or as an ingredient in antidandruff shampoos. [6]  Zinc also is important is protecting the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. That’s why many sunscreens that provide broad spectrum UV protection contain zinc oxide.[7]

Topical diabetic skin therapies such as Ease-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Lotion and Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream are over-the-counter offerings that uniquely feature active Zinc Acetate to relieve and protect dry, cracked skin associated with diabetes.

The products cover the skin with a thick protective layer that penetrates to provide real, long lasting-relief.  They are formulated with Shea Butter and Lecithin to target dryness and give extended hydration. Ease-Z products also absorb quickly to help restore moisture, giving visibly healthier-looking skin.  

Follow a daily skin care regimen

To counteract dry skin, in addition to using zinc-rich skin care products, follow these guidelines:

1. Keep skin clean and dry.
2. Take short lukewarm baths or showers (Hot water can strip skin of moisture.) and try not to scrub too hard. Use gentle cleansers and shampoos. Scented products may be harsh if you have sensitive skin.
3. Make sure to dry your skin everywhere after washing. Dry well patting gently.
4. Check places where water can collect, like under the arms, under the breasts, between the legs, and between the toes, since the extra moisture can cause a fungus to grow.
5. Treat dry, cracked heels to prevent infection and non-healing sores.
6. Check your body after you wash for any dry, red, or sore spots that would become infected.
7. Moisturize every day. By keeping your skin moisturized, you keep it more flexible and less prone to cracks that can lead to infections.

Since having diabetes puts you at a higher risk for developing skin conditions, make good skin care a priority.

[1] “Diabetes and Your Skin,” CDC, Accessed June 2, 2024, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-your-skin.html

[2] Steelhard, “What Does Zinc Do for Skin,” The Fitness Manual, May 25, 2021. https://thefitnessmanual.com/vitamins/what-does-zinc-do-for-skin/

[3] Gammoh NZ, Rink L. Zinc in Infection and Inflammation. Nutrients. 2017;9(6):624. Published 2017 Jun 17. doi:10.3390/nu9060624https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5490603/

[4] “Zinc,” National Academies.org, Dietary Reference Intakes, Page 442, Accessed June 2, 2024. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/10026/chapter/14

[5]Cade, Matteson, “How does zinc benefit skin,” How stuff works,” Accessed June 2, 2024. https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/nutrition/zinc-benefit-skin.htm

[6] Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review. Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi:10.1155/2014/709152.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120804/

[7]  Cade, Matteson, “How does zinc benefit skin”