Skin Barrier Changes in T1DM and T2DM

Abstract

Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus (DM) are a group of skin disorders that characteristically arise from prolonged chronic hyperglycemia and impaired insulin signaling or insulin resistance. There are several skin diabetic pathologies associated with the two main types of diabetes-type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), which tend to negatively impact the patients quality of life. The literature reveals variations in the skin barrier changes between the two DM types, and this may probably be a crucial factor for certain skin manifestations to be more common in one DM type over the other. However, despite this, the underlying pathophysiology affecting the skin in DM and the associated skin barrier changes between the two DM types is less understood and inadequately explored. The pathological mechanisms of several cutaneous manifestations in DM are still unclear, suggesting a complex interplay of various etiological factors that necessitate further exploration. The correction of raised blood glucose alone does not resolve the cutaneous manifestations in DM, hence involvement of a dermatologist at an early stage while managing DM patients can prove beneficial