February 19, 2002
Other Illnesses
Question from Waco, Texas, USA:
My four year old son has recently developed what appear to be boils filled with pus on the back lower region of his leg, below the knee. An employee at his daycare mentioned that her niece had similar boils and was told they were related to the blood sugar level, similar to diabetes. I was wondering if the boils could be related to diabetes, or another blood sugar disorder.
Answer:
With no additional clinical symptoms of diabetes such as weight loss or polyuria, I think that it is very unlikely indeed that the ‘boils’ on the calf are a herald of diabetes. I am sure though that the day care center employee has made you anxious so that you should ask for your son’s doctor to arrange a fasting blood sugar test. This would also be an opportunity to find out exactly what these infected areas on his leg really are due to.
DOB
