Skin Care for People with Diabetes
MANAGING YOUR SKIN AS INTELLIGENTLY AS YOU MANAGE YOUR DIABETES.
Keep skin clean. Wash with mild soap or a gentle cleanser. Bathe in lukewarm water, avoiding very hot baths and showers and dry the skin by stripping away your natural oils. During bathing, check your skin for red, dry, or sore spots that might be an early indicator of a future problem. Gently pat your skin with a soft towel to dry. Pay close attention to drying between your toes. After bathing, help prevent dry skin by applying Cabot P.O.L. Cream. Pay attention to potential problem areas like the hands, knuckles, elbows, and feet.

The rich Pure Omental Lipid formula Moisturizes and protects working synergistically with vitamins A, E, Allantoin, Dimethicone and Hylauronic Acid. These ingredients have been demonstrated to be beneficial to help strengthen your skin's protective function. Drinking ample amounts of water helps to keep your body and thereby skin, hydrated. During winter months, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. A good sunscreen helps further protect at risk skin by preventing sunburn. Treat all cuts, scrapes, and skin cracks immediately to help prevent more serious problems from developing. Be sure to see your doctor for major cuts, burns, infections, or skin problems you are unable to treat yourself.

As many as one-third of people with diabetes will have a skin disorder caused or affected by diabetes at some time in their lives. In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early. Diabetes can affect every part of the body, including the skin. As many as one third of people with diabetes will have a skin disorder caused or affected by diabetes at some time in their lives. In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.

Good Skin Care Practices

• Keep your diabetes well managed. People with high glucose levels tend to have dry skin and less ability to fend off harmful bacteria. Both conditions increase the risk of infection.
• Keep skin clean and dry. Use talcum powder in areas where skin touches skin, such as armpits and groin.
• Avoid very hot baths and showers. If your skin is dry, don't use bubble baths. Moisturizing soaps may help. Afterward, use a high quality skin cream, but don't put cream between toes because the extra moisture can encourage fungus .
• Prevent dry skin. Scratching dry or itchy skin can open it up and allow infection to set in. Moisturize your skin often to prevent chapping, especially in cold or windy weather.
• Treat cuts right away. Wash minor cuts with soap and water. Do not use Mercurochrome antiseptic, alcohol, or iodine to clean skin because they are too harsh. Only use an antibiotic cream or ointment if your doctor says it's okay. Cover minor cuts with sterile gauze. See a doctor right away if you get a major cut, burn, or infection.
• During cold, dry months, keep your home more humid. Bathe less during this weather, if possible.
• Use mild shampoos. Do not use feminine hygiene sprays.
• See a dermatologist (skin doctor) about skin problems if you are not able to solve them yourself.
• Take good care of your feet. Check them every day for sores and cuts. Wear broad, flat shoes that fit well. Check your shoes for foreign objects before putting them on. Cooperlabs is not engaged in rendering medical advice or recommendation. You should not rely on any information to replace consultations with qualified health care professionals to meet your individual medical needs. See HEALTHY FOOT CARE TIPS

Eczema

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is usually associated with dry skin. Itching, inflammation and rashes are all associated with this chronic skin disorder. The skin becomes irritated by allergens, overdrying, or environmental changes. A doctor should always diagnose eczema. Once it is diagnosed you can treat most flare-ups at home. Oat protein is especially soothing to irritated upset skin and Avalon products with liquid oat protein are good to keep on hand as part of your eczema management program. Dermatologist recommended, oil-free and fragrance-free Avalon is safe for children, adults and the elderly.

• Limit bathing. Daily bathing isn't necessary. Spongebathe the areas of the body that need it most.
• When you do bathe in the tub make it quick. Adding Avalon Bath Soak to the bath water will help soothe skin and relieve itching.
• For those who prefer to shower use Avalon soap-free Sensitive Skin Body Wash, also helps reduce irritation and razor burn use when you shave.
• Use a soap substitute. Avalon Sensitive Skin Body Wash and Avalon Clear Oatmeal Glycerin Bar are both soap-free. The oat protein they contain is a skin soothing plus.
• Bathe or shower in warm water. Hot water can over dry the skin.
• Choose products that are fragrance-free. Fragrances can trigger eczema flare-ups.
• To help skin hold moisture, apply Avalon Hand & Body Cream right after bathing while skin is still damp.
• Get in the habit of moisturizing the entire body and not just the parts of the body that are affected with eczema.
• Cool compresses can soothe itchy areas. Add Avalon Bath Soak to a cool damp cloth and gently apply to affected areas.
• Avalon Body Spray will soothe itchy areas in between baths and is great for areas that are too sensitive to touch.

Aging Skin

Because aging interferes with your skins ability to hold moisture, moisturizing your skin becomes increasingly important as you grow older. Hormone therapy and various medications can have the side effect of drying out the skin and leaving it sensitive and itchy.

Studies provide strong evidence that certain vitamins can protect the body cells and tissues form damage caused by natural body processes such as aging and environmental stresses like harsh weather, sun damage and pollution.

In turn, other vitamins can provide the proper environment for the correction of such damage. Of particular interest are Vitamins A, C & E. These vitamins are called anti-oxidants and the protection they provide is a plus for aging skin.

CABOT and Spa Magistrali can help you pamper and care for your aging skin with gentle cleansers, anti-oxidant protection and a variety of moisturizers and atreatment products designed to help repair and restore. If your skin is sensitive and itchy, Avalon products with oat protein are a good choice.

• Use gentle cleansers on your face and body.
• Moisturize daily with products containing anti-oxidants to help repair damaged skin and reduce the visible signs of aging.
• Look for products with hyaluronic acid which restores elasticity and attracts moisture to the skin giving it a more youthful appearance.
• Avalon Clear Oatmeal enriched products provide the best relief for itchy or irritated skin.

Chicken Pox

To ease itching:

• Avalon Body Spray can be used in between baths to relieve itching, as many times a day as necessary.
• Make a soothing compress by putting Avalon Bath Soak on a cool damp cloth and applying to lesions.
• When the doctor says it is OK to bathe add Avalon Bath Soak to the bath water.
• Avalon Sensitive Skin Body Wash and Avalon Clear Oatmeal Glycerin Bar are gentle cleansers that also help relieve itching in the shower or bath.
• Avalon Hand & Body Cream soothes and calms itchy skin after and between baths

Oily Skin

Oily and acne prone skin is often sensitive and needs to be treated with care. Too much alcohol, dyes, fragrances and oil can be a real problem for sensitive acne prone skin. Read labels. Look for products that are oil-free, Non-Comedogenic, hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free.

Don't over wash your face with harsh cleansers and soaps. This may aggravate your skin causing it to produce more oil. Oily and combination skin needs moisture but choose water based, oil free moisturizers. Fluids and gels are better than rich creams for oily skin. Look for products that control oil and shine without overdrying the skin.

Weekly purifying masks can help keep skin clear. Products with glycolic acid may help reduce blemishes by increasing exfoliation with a gentle peeling action.

• Cleansers should be water based and oil-free, try Magistrali Rose Gel.
• Protect your skin with an oil-free moisturizer.
• Use SEBAN daily to control oil and shine.

When you breakout

• Keep skin clean but don't over wash.
• Apply Seban Spot Treatment to trouble spots.
• To help keep skin clear use Cabot's Anti-Stress Face Pacs or Purifying Peel-Off Mask once or twice a week.
• Use an oil-free medicated cover-up that covers as it heals the breakout.
• Glycalic Acid may reduce blemishes by increasing exfoliation.

Dry Skin

Skin types of all kinds can suffer from dryness at certain times of the year. Dry, scaly, flaking skin occurs when the natural moisture evaporates or is otherwise removed from the top layer of skin. Because aging interferes with your skins ability to hold moisture, moisturizing your skin becomes increasingly important, as you grow older. Skin also relies of moisture in the air to remain hydrated. Low temperatures and low humidity strip the skin of moisture, causing dry or mature skin to suffer the most. Forced air heat and frequent bathing, especially in hot water, further dehydrate your skin. Hormone therapy and certain medications can have the side effect of drying out skin, leaving it sensitive and itchy. Cooperlabs formulates the World's Smartest Moisturizers:

Vitamin E Anti-Oxidant Plus Super Moisturizers.

Cabot P.O.L. Cream to hydrate and rejuvenate even the most vulnerable skin.

Magistrali anti-aging formulas for sensitive skin.

Avalon Clear Oatmeal - Natural Oat Protein Anti-Itch formulations.

• Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
• If you are exposed to harsh outdoor conditions or the drying effects of central heating you need to may need to reapply moisturizers throughout the day.
• Whether choosing a moisturizer for face or body remember that creams are more hydrating than lotions.
• Use gentle moisturizing cleansers on your face and body.
• Moisturize daily with products containing anti-oxidants to help repair damaged skin and reduce the visible signs of aging.
• Look for products with hyaluronic acid which restores elasticity and attracts moisture to the skin.
• Oat products provide the best relief for itchy or irritated skin.
• Skin needs to be hydrated from the inside as well as from the outside. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Sun Damage

• Dermatologists say that sun protection is the most important thing you can do for your skin.
• Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher for all parts of your body if you are going to be in the sun for any length of time. Wear a hat and protective clothing.
• If you do get a sunburn soak in a cool oatmeal bath with Avalon Bath Soak.
• You can also cool the burn with Avalon Body Spray, especially soothing for areas that are too sensitive to touch.
• Anti-oxidant moisturizers help repair sun damaged skin and protect against future damage.

Dull Skin

• Skin dulling impurities can rob your skin of its clear healthy looking glow. Use a purifying mask once or twice a week.
• Cabot Moisturizing Cucumber Peel-Off Mask deep cleans as it replenishes lost moisture leaving skin soft and bright.
• Cabot Purifying Peel-Off Mask deep cleans, tightens and refines pores. A real pick-me-up for dull skin.
• Magistrali Kamilla Tonic refreshes sensitive skin with a soothing astringent action.
• A good diet, plenty of water, a good night's sleep and moderate exercise can do wonders to perk up a dull complexion.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin reacts easily to both external and internal factors including sun, wind, cold, chemicals, medications and stress. Before you purchase a skincare product, read the label. Look for words like "mild", "gentle", "for sensitive skin" and "hypo-allergenic". Products that are fragrance-free and soap-free are a good choice.

Certain medications can make your skin more susceptible to sensitivities; such as Retin A, Accutane, some antibiotics, sulfur drugs, diuretics and anti-depressants. Many of these medications will make your skin supersensitive to the sun. When that's the case, your pharmacist will apply warning labels advising you to avoid sun exposure.

You may find it helpful to pre-moisten skin with plenty of water before cleansing. The water will dilute the product, which will make it milder for your delicate skin. Apply moisturizer to pre-moistened skin for the same reason. You may use a smooth sponge or soft washcloth but avoid any rough cleansing tool that might cause you irritation.

Magistrali was developed by a woman dermatologist in Italy and has gentle cleansers and moisturizers for even the most sensitive skin. Avalon is a great choice for people with skin sensitivities including more serious skin conditions. moisturizers are one of our best sellers and recommended by dermatologists.

Poison Oak

Poison oak and Poison Ivy are botanically and chemically related. A person sensitive to poison ivy will also react to poison oak. Poison ivy tends to grow east of the Rockies and poison oak tends to grow in the western states as well as western Canada and Mexico.

The poisonous oil that irritates the skin is called urushiol. This almost colorless laquer like resin is found in all parts of the plant - roots, stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. It is present even when the plant is dormant and looks dead. Urushiol does not dissolve in water, is difficult to wash off and its toxic properties last a long time. It settles onto skin and quickly penetrates. Pets are another source of contamination because the oil attaches to their fur and is then transferred to their owners. Unwashed contaminated clothing retains toxicity for a long time.

Prevention

• Learn to recognize Poison Oak and teach children to recognize it as well.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Change clothing and wash as soon as possible after you have been in areas where poison oak grows.
• Do not let pets run in poison oak areas.
• Ask your pharmacist about barrier products to use before you go hiking or camping.

Treatment

Anyone with a severe eruption should see their Doctor or Dermatologist at once. The sooner treatment starts the more effective it will be.

For moderate to mild reactions treatment mainly consists of relieving the itching and preventing infection.* Avalon Bath Soak applied directly to a cool damp cloth makes a very soothing compress and can be applied as often as needed to reduce itching and decrease heat from inflamed areas.

• Take cool soaks in a tub containing Avalon Bath Soak.
• Avalon Sensitive Skin Body Wash helps relieve itch in the shower or bath.
• In between baths use Avalon Body Spray to relieve itching on irritated skin that is weepy, hard to reach or too sensitive to touch. The cool mist helps decrease heat from inflamed areas and oat protein relieves itching. Use as often as needed.!