Background The views about the increased prevalence of cutaneous infections in diabetic patients are in conflict.Objectives To study the prevalence of cutaneous infections in diabetic patients.Methods 100 non-insulin dependent diabetics and 100 controls were studied. Complete skin examination and routine dermatologic tests were used in the diagnosis of cutaneous infections.Results The overall prevalence of infections was higher in diabetic than non-diabetic patients. The toe webs were the most commonly affected sites. The frequency of erythrasma was significantly higher in diabetics, but not of candidosis, tinea versicolor, dermatophytosis and staphylococcal and viral infections.Conclusion In diabetics, erythrasma was the most frequently encountered skin infection.