What Is the Link Between Diabetes and an Itchy Scalp?
People with diabetes are more susceptible to skin conditions, including ones of the scalp, because having diabetes raises the risk for developing all kinds of infections, explains WebMD. Ringworm is a type of fungal infection that causes ring-shaped patches of scaly skin that itch and sometimes form blisters. Common areas for ringworm infection include the scalp, feet, groin, stomach and chest.
Severe cases of ringworm on the scalp cause extreme inflammation that has the potential to leave scars or cause permanent hair loss. This condition is highly contagious, and treatment requires antifungal oral medications or shampoos, states Mayo Clinic. A type of fungi called dermatophytes is responsible for ringworm. This fungus attacks the outer layer of skin on the scalp.
Ringworm spreads by human-to-human contact, object-to-human contact and animal-to-human contact. Dogs and cats, especially young ones, are common carriers of the fungi, notes Mayo Clinic. Other types of animals that are known to carry ringworm include cows, goats, pigs and horses.
One in three people with diabetes have a skin condition, as of 2015. When a person with diabetes develops a skin condition, it is important to treat it aggressively in order to avoid more serious health complications, says WebMD.
