Type 2 diabetes means a person’s pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Unchecked blood sugar levels can pose health risks such as heart disease and strokes. Type 2 diabetes may trigger a variety of symptoms including heart disease, kidney disease and nerve damage. Noticing an itching feeling in your armpits could mean you are at risk.
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People with pre diabetes have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels however GPs don’t consider a person to have diabetes yet.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with prediabetes often develop type 2 diabetes within five years if they don’t get treatment.
The onset of type 2 diabetes can be gradual and symptoms can be mild during the early stages.
As a result, many people may not realise that they have this condition.
Excess sugar in the blood and urine provides food for yeast which can lead to infection.
Yeast infections tend to occur on warm, moist areas of the skin, such as the armpits.
The affected area usually becomes extremely itchy and this can also occur on the mouth or genital areas.
The itchiness may also be accompanied by burning, redness and soreness.
Why does a person experience itching with type 2 diabetes?
There are several reasons why a person with diabetes might experience more frequent itching that others.
Sometimes, itching can result from damaged fibres in the outer layers of the skin.
Often, the cause of diabetes-related itching is diabetic polyneuropathy or peripheral neuropathy.
These are complications of diabetes that develop when high blood glucose levels cause damage to nerve fibres.
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People with type 2 diabetes can get certain skin conditions and infections more easily than people who don’t have diabetes.
Examples of these include a fungal infection, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum which is a rare skin condition typically found on the lower legs or an eruptive xanthomatosis which is more common in people with type 1 diabetes.
There are several steps one can take to help maintain healthy skin and find relief from the itching.
A person should avoid taking hot baths as the hot water can remove moisture from the skin.
It’s advised to apply skin lotion while the skin is still damp to help lock in moisture and one should avoid moisturisers that contain harsh perfumes or dyes.
If you experience itchiness in your armpits speak to your GP who will evaluate the area to determine if it is early diabetes or an underlying skin condition.
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