Could sugar in skin ointment affect my diabetic blood sugar tests?

[Elspe]

I have really bad allergic eczema on hands and fingers and have been prescribed a topical steroid - Dermovate Ointment. As it contains sugary-type substances I wonder if it might be causing an increase in the blood-sugar skin-prick tests I do for my Type 2 diabetes daily? I am thinking the base of the ointment may be making my skin worse and opposing the healing effect of the steroid, as they really do not seem to be getting any better? They have been reading very high most of this summer, the time I have been using the ointment. (It contains Propylene Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate and White Soft Paraffin. From what I can find out, all these three things irritate my skin and the Sorbitan Sesquiolate is sugar with oleic acid (to which I've also proved sensitive in the past. I think it is to do with the derivation, or for example which vegetable is used in the production - for example, I'm allergic to coconuts and I believe the oil is often made from these.)

[Singinglouder]

Don’t know whether the ointment affects blood sugar, but to check, you could try taking a sample from somewhere else - most meters I’ve had come with a lancet tip for taking blood from eg your arm. If you could do one of each at the same time, you’ll see if there’s a difference and the ointment is affecting it.

The forum on diabetes.co.uk is very good for quick answers to diabetes questions - don’t know how many people on here have diabetes as well as asthma.

[watergazer]

Hi it may do, I discovered that my blood sugar can go up when using my hands in baking ie for icing and gingerbread as some sugar is absorbed through the skin. Maybe do a check of your bloods before and after using the cream x

[Poobah]

I quickly Googled the use of topical steroid ointments on diabetic patients. There have been case studies that show that these ointments can affect those who are Type 2 diabetic. The recommendation is that the case should be reviewed by the doctor if the patient is experiencing raised blood sugar levels while using the steroid ointment.

[PaulRosedene]

I too have bad eczema on my fingers. I learnt a lot through patch testing. I discovered I am allergic to cetyl alchohol which is used in nearly all skin products. I realised at one point that I was using sun tan lotion that contained it. Also the emulisfying ointment contained it as an ingredient of an ingredient.

If you haven't tried patch testing, I would recommend it. Various chemicals are put on your back for a week. It has helped my skin, which is still very reactive.

I have not found anything that helps the eczema on my fingers, My GP advised me not to use soap.