Persistent high blood glucose (sugar) in people with diabetes impacts more than just your energy levels and long-term heart health — it can also have noticeable effects on your skin and genital health. When blood glucose levels stay elevated, they can interfere with circulation and weaken the immune system, creating an environment where bacteria and yeast thrive. Over time, this can lead to symptoms like itching, dryness, and frequent infections.

Understanding how high blood sugar affects your skin and intimate health can help you recognize early warning signs, seek treatment sooner, and take steps to protect your overall well-being.

How High Blood Sugar Damages the Skin and Genitals

Uncontrolled blood sugar can cause damage throughout the body, including the skin. People with diabetes may notice skin symptoms, especially around the genitals, where the skin is especially sensitive.

Weakens the Immune System

Elevated glucose levels can weaken the immune system, making it harder for white blood cells to fight off bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. As a result, infections may happen more often and take longer to clear.

Damages Blood Vessels

High blood sugar can damage your blood vessels. These tiny vessels are responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the skin. When these tiny vessels don’t work properly, the skin may not get what it needs to stay healthy. This can lead to lesions that can be slow to heal.

Causes Nerve Damage

Long-term high blood sugar can affect your nerves. When this happens, it’s called diabetic neuropathy. This condition can impair your ability to feel sensations, meaning you might not notice pain or irritation on your skin, including in your genital area. This can make it less likely for you to find problems like wounds or blisters early on. This can delay care, which could result in complications such as infection.

Nerve damage may also cause vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction, and it can affect arousal in all people. Additionally, it might make sex uncomfortable or less enjoyable.

Skin Issues Caused by High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can cause a variety of skin problems. Here are some examples of skin problems related to high blood sugar:

• Wounds — Open wounds that don’t heal or heal very slowly due to a lack of nutrients and blood supply can happen anywhere in the body, including around the genitals.
• Diabetic dermopathy — Scaly, discolored patches of skin usually appear on the front of both legs.
• Eruptive xanthomatosis — Firm, pea-sized, itchy bumps with a discolored ring often appear on the backs of the hands, feet, legs, arms, and buttocks.
• Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum — This rare condition starts as discolored, raised patches of skin and turns into shiny, scarlike patches that can itch, hurt, and crack open.
• Acanthosis nigricans — This skin condition causes raised, dark, thick, velvety skin that can show up on the groin, armpits, sides of the neck, hands, knees, or elbows.

Infections

Uncontrolled blood sugar can create an environment in which yeast and bacteria grow more easily. The genital area is already warm and moist, which makes it especially vulnerable. When glucose levels are high, it can further encourage the overgrowth of organisms that cause irritation and infection.

Bacterial infections on the skin from high blood sugar may include:

• Styes in the eyelid
• Carbuncles — Infections deep under the top layer of skin
• Folliculitis — Infections of hair follicles
• Boils — Painful, pus-filled bumps under the skin
• Infections around the fingernails or toenails
• Cellulitis — An infection that spreads in the deeper layers of the skin, causing changes in skin color, warmth, and pain

Fungal infections are usually caused by an overgrowth of a fungus-like yeast called Candida albicans. Candida albicans tends to grow in damp, warm areas of the body, particularly in skin folds. It can appear:

• Under the breasts or armpits or the foreskin of people who aren’t circumcised
• In the groin
• Between the toes and fingers or around fingernails and toe ails
• Around the mouth

Jock itch and yeast infections are common examples of fungal infections that can happen around the genitals. Ringworm and athlete’s foot are also fungal infections associated with diabetes.

Skin and Genital Symptoms To Watch For

Since there are so many skin conditions that can be linked to diabetes, it’s important to consult your doctor if you notice any changes with your skin. Here are a few skin symptoms to look out for:

• Itching
• Dryness
• Discoloration
• Pain
• Swelling
• Raised bumps
• Infections that don’t heal or keep coming back

Genital symptoms related to high blood sugar are common, but they’re often not talked about openly. They may include:

• Itching or burning in the genital area
• Dryness, tightness, or discomfort
• Discoloration or swelling, including dry or swollen genital skin
• Unusual discharge or changes in smell
• Frequent or recurring yeast infections
• Soreness or irritation during or after sex

These symptoms can be embarrassing to bring up, but they are important. If left untreated, infections can worsen or become harder to treat. Your doctor has seen these symptoms before and can help. You don’t need to manage them alone.

Managing and Preventing Your Symptoms

The good news is that many of these symptoms can improve — and sometimes even resolve — when blood sugar is better managed.

Keep Blood Sugar in a Healthy Range

Managing blood glucose is the most important step in preventing and reducing skin and genital complications. Work with your healthcare team to find the right combination of diet, exercise, and medication for you. Stress and high cortisol can affect your blood sugar and may worsen skin symptoms, so finding ways to manage your stress can also be beneficial.

Keep Affected Areas Clean and Dry

Gently washing the genital area with mild, unscented soap and water can help reduce the risk of infection. Avoid harsh soaps, douches, or scented products, which can disrupt the natural balance of skin flora. Pat skin dry — especially in skin folds and the groin — rather than rubbing. Try to limit moisture in areas where yeast and bacteria can thrive.

Wear loose, breathable underwear made from natural fibers like cotton. Tight or synthetic clothing can trap moisture and increase the risk of infection.

Moisturize Carefully

Dry skin is common in people with diabetes since high blood sugar can cause the body to lose fluid and impair the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer on dry areas — but avoid applying it between skin folds or in the genital area, as excess moisture can lead to problems.

Don’t Ignore Changes

If you notice itching, dryness, discoloration, swelling, sores, or unusual discharge that doesn’t go away within a few days — or keeps coming back — talk to your doctor. These symptoms are worth looking into.

A doctor can determine whether the cause is a yeast infection, bacterial infection, skin condition, or something else and recommend the right treatment. Recurring infections, in particular, may be a sign that your blood sugar needs to be better managed.

Join the Conversation

On DiabetesTeam, people share their experiences with diabetes, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What skin or genital symptoms have you noticed? Let others know in the comments below.