I have always had a dandruff problem but after my diabetes crisis, its really bad. I even have 'dandruff of the ears' after the diabetic ketoacidosis incident.

What makes diabetes cause such dry, flaky skin? Is it causaly related?

Sounds like you may have seborrhea, which is a flaky condition that can affect the scalp, the face and the ears. I don't think the diabetes is causal, but rather that it might be coincidental that it got worse after a crisis. Were you hospitalized? And did you go several days without washing your hair? That happened to me, many years ago, and it definitely exacerbated the dandruff condition.

Try using either Selsun Blue or T-gel shampoo on your scalp (or another tar-type shampoo), and there's a bar called "Z-Bar" that you can get at the pharmacy (they may have to order it) that you can use on your face.

Ruth

Thanks.
Yes, I was hospitalized which certainly exacerbated alot of conditions.

I was more interested in 'causation' than 'treatment'. I've found that after a good thorough scrubbing, I'm in bad shape again in twenty four hours and so think a systemic problem is at fault, particularly one that might be related to hydration levels.

I think of the dandruff as being at the very least a reminder for me to drink water but I'm curious about the causation.