Does anyone else have shin spots?

Question

i have had type one diabetes since i was 21 montsh old. i recently went to the dermotologist and found out i have a shin spot right in the middle of my left leg. its really big and really ugly. she said its from diabetes but not from poor control. diabetics just get them. [in the past i didnt take good care of myself but lately have started to care again]

it hurts to put ANY pressure on it at all and its indented in a little bit on my leg. its to the point where i wont even wear shorts anymore because everytime i do people stare at my spot.

does anybody else have these shin spots?

do they go away? or will i have it forever?

Answer 1

Yes, lots of us have them, and as far as I know, they don't go away.  As I recall, its caused from damage to the blood vessels that supply that area.  I have other scarring issues from diabetic blistering and cellulitis.

If the spot is not large, you can cover it with a good bandaid.  Mine are too big for that anymore.  I used to wear socks with shorts, but I finally gave up on that, too :-)  These days, I don't care much if people stare, and if they ask about them I tell them it's from diabetes (that usually ends the show-n-tell session).

At some point you just have to accept that they're there and stop feeling self conscious about it (I know, that's the hard part).