Photoessay: The Skin and Diabetes Mellitus
by A Huntley
Dermatology Online Journal, December 1995
Volume 1, Number 2
Side Effects of Insulin
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fat atrophy
infection
Daily injection of insulin rarely causes problems involving the skin. The two
instances of note, however, are infection and fat atrophy.
fat atrophy
Occasionally insulin injections will result in atrophy of subcutaneous fat at
the site of injection. The resulting depression in the skin may be disturbing
to the patient.
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Fig 68. Abdominal region of an insulin-dependent diabetic demonstrating a
focal area of fat atrophy as a complication of insulin injection. Involvement
presents as depressions in the contour of the skin, secondary to loss of fat at
the site of injections.
infection
Surface bacteria may be introduced into the deeper layers of the skin during
injections. This occasionally results in cellulitis or abscess formation.
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Fig 69. Patient with diabetes mellitus and an abscess on the arm at the site
of insulin administration.
All contents copyright (C), 1995.
Dermatology Online Journal
University of California Davis
