Coronavirus symptoms: 5 COVID-19 symptoms diabetic patients should be careful of

The likelihood of severe or poor outcomes increases with pre-existing illness. Diabetes is one such bad comorbidity for COVID-19 patients.

Even though the second wave of infections fueled by the mutant virus strains has raised the risk of complications for even the healthier age groups, diabetic patients still face high risks of infection severity as well as mortality. There could also be some symptoms, complications they may be more prone to, because of their conditions.

Poor blood glucose level compromises insulin production in the body and suppresses immunity. Diabetes can also make a person find it harder to harness nutrients, have bad blood flow and may even have prolonged recovery timelines.

As with COVID-19, diabetes can make it harder to fight off viral load, but also invite other diseases. As per doctors, diabetic patients who are not just prone to hospitalization have underlying vascular issues, which makes them more likely to suffer from issues like cardiovascular lapses, respiratory decline, chronic lung diseases.

Apart from this, there could also be some symptoms and signs of COVID-19, which diabetic patients need to be extra careful of:

In the second wave of coronavirus, more unusual symptoms such as skin rashes, inflammation and allergy symptoms are affecting people before the classic signs strike. Unlikely COVID toes, nails, hives, red spots- all signs of the SARS-COV-2 virus's impact on the skin are more likely to be experienced by those suffering from uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

People suffering from diabetes are also more vulnerable to skin manifestations and slower healing from cuts and wounds. High blood sugar can dry out your skin and increase chances of inflammation, swelling, red patches, blisters, which can all coexist with a COVID infection. Thus, diabetic patients should be extremely diligent about taking care of their skin health and watching out for these early onset signs of coronavirus.

Pneumonia can turn into a serious risk factor and threat for COVID patients, more so for those who are battling diabetes. With high inflammation levels and uncontrolled blood sugar markers, respiratory health could be acutely compromised and result in adverse outcomes. High blood sugar levels, as per doctors, also makes it easier for the virus to thrive in the body and spread further damage. The risk exists equally for those suffering from Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes. High-level lung involvement, as seen evidently during the second wave of infections can also add to the risks.

A dip in oxygen saturation levels could be one of the biggest complications COVID-19 patients may face. With an inflammatory condition like diabetes, which suppresses immune functioning, multiple studies have now attested that those patients with pre-existing sugar disorders or frailty have a higher likelihood of suffering from oxygen deprivation and related symptoms, including breathlessness, shortness of breath, chest pain and pulmonary problems. Hypoxia, which is a state when oxygen levels rapidly decline without visible notice of other symptoms, is also more commonly seen in COVID-19 patients suffering from diabetes.

A sudden threat rising in the form of black fungus infection is adding to the worries of COVID-19 patients. The mysterious fungal infection, which causes the characteristic facial deformity, swelling, headaches and irritation is right now the most troublesome for COVID patients (in recovery or those who have recovered) who suffer from diabetes and/or put on steroid therapy.

According to doctors, an inflammatory condition like diabetes suppresses the functioning of the immune system and elevates the risk of catching infections as such. High blood sugar levels also make for perfect settings for fungi to breed in, much like viruses. Added steroid risk could up the risk too, right now.