Derm

Diabetic Dermopathy

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Diabetic Dermopathy, Skin Spots

  • Epidemiology
  1. Most common skin finding in Diabetes Mellitus
    1. More common if comorbid Diabetic Neuropathy
  2. More common in men
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Skin Hyperpigmentation due to hemosiderin deposition
  2. May be associated with Trauma
  • Symptoms
  1. None
  • Signs
  1. Round hyperpigmented areas
    1. Initial: flat-topped, red and scaly Papules
    2. Later: Depressed below skin level
  2. Distribution
    1. Bilateral shins (most common)
    2. Forearms
    3. Anterior thighs
    4. Lateral feet
  • Course
  1. Heal spontaneously
  2. May leave preciously involved skin with altered pigment
  • References
  1. Habif (1996) Dermatology, p. 624
  2. Marx (2002) Rosen's Emergency Medicine, 1759-60