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Can diabetes affect your hair and scalp?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Halifax, NS

Is it normal as we age for our scalp to be dry or is that another side effect of diabetes.

March 9
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A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member

Hello Debs

Try and find a shampoo with urea in it. There is a shampoo called “Pure” which contains 5.5% urea.

My Doctor recommended it. You leave it on for about 5-6 minutes, after massaging it into your scalp. You might not find it in the USA but ask your pharmacy if they have an equivalent. 💕

March 9
A DiabetesTeam Member

Also urea containing body wash is recommended for diabetic itchy skin. Amazon carries several . And some of the higher end anti fungal shampoos have urea gotta read labels cause not all have it.
My hair dresser recommends biotin a B vitamin . Has not helped regrowth but it has stopped the hair loss from continueing.

March 9
A DiabetesTeam Member

It’s hard to say for me if it’s diabetes as I have scalp psoriasis. I had dry scalp and skin when I was younger but dry skin is not an issue now.

March 11
DiabetesTeam

Can diabetes affect your hair and scalp?

Yes, diabetes can definitely affect both your hair and scalp. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles. When follicles don't get what they need, they can enter a resting phase where new hair growth stops, leading Show Full Answer

Can diabetes affect your hair and scalp?

Yes, diabetes can definitely affect both your hair and scalp. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles. When follicles don't get what they need, they can enter a resting phase where new hair growth stops, leading to hair loss.

Diabetes can also cause nerve damage (neuropathy) in the scalp, which some people experience as numbness or itching. The inflammation and nerve changes associated with diabetes contribute to these scalp issues.

Is dry scalp related to diabetes or just aging?

While dry skin becomes more common as we age, diabetes specifically increases your risk of developing dry skin, including on your scalp. Here's why:

- High blood sugar causes your body to pull fluid from cells to produce enough urine to eliminate excess sugar
- Poor circulation from diabetes reduces moisture delivery to your skin
- People with diabetes are significantly more likely to have dry skin compared to those without the condition

So while aging plays a role, if you have diabetes, your dry scalp is likely connected to your blood sugar levels rather than age alone. Keeping your blood sugar well-managed can help improve both hair health and scalp dryness.

March 9

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