Diabetes skin signs | Diabetes symptoms | Signs of Diabetes | Diabetes mellitus | Type 1 diabetes

Diabetes skin signs | Diabetes symptoms | Signs of Diabetes | Diabetes mellitus | Type 1 diabetes | acanthosis nigricans | diabetic blisters

Diabetes can affect many parts of our body, including our skin. Many skin changes are visible in the later stage of diabetes but some changes are an early indicator of diabetes.

Signs of diabetes:

1. Acanthosis nigricans:
It is a dark patch of velvety skin on the back of your neck, armpit or groin areas. It is commonly seen in obese people.

2. Skin tags:
Numerous skin tags with blackish discolouration of skin could be a sign of high blood glucose level. These growths are most common on the eyelids, neck, armpit, and groin region

3. Necrobiosis lipoidica:
This skin condition often begins as small raised solid bumps that look like pimples. As it progresses, these bumps turn into patches of swollen and hard skin. The patches can be yellow, reddish, or brown in colour.

You may also notice:
The surrounding skin has a shiny porcelain-like appearance
Visible blood vessels
Itchy and painful skin
The skin disease goes through cycles where it is active, inactive, and then active again

The medical name for this condition is necrobiosis lipoidica. If you see this type of skin lesion, get tested for diabetes

4. Digital sclerosis (skin hardening or thickening)
You can see thick, tight, waxy skin that develops on the back of the hands. The finger joints stiffen and become difficult to move.

Controlling blood glucose level and physical therapy may be helpful in this situation.

5. Diabetic dermopathy:
This skin condition causes spots that create a barely noticeable depression in the skin. It’s common in people who have diabetes. It usually forms on the shins.

6. Bullosis diabeticorum:
People with diabetes may see a large blister, a group of blisters, or both. The blisters tend to form on the hands, feet, legs, or forearms and look like the blisters that appear after a serious burn. However, these blisters are not painful.

7. Eruptive-xanthomatosis:
Eruptive-xanthomatosis is commonly seen in uncontrolled diabetes. When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Usually seen on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees.

8. Frequent skin infections:
People who have diabetes tend to get frequent skin infections. It could be bacterial or fungal.

Bacterial infections commonly seen in diabetes are
Styes,
Folliculitis or infection of the hair follicle
Carbuncles or deep infections of the skin and the tissue underneath

Fungal infection is also very common in diabetes.
Common fungal infections include jock itch, athlete's foot, ringworm (a ring-shaped itchy patch), and vaginal infection that causes itching.

9. Open sores and wounds:
Having high blood sugar (glucose) for a long time can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage. This makes it hard for your body to heal wounds & especially true on the feet. These open wounds are called diabetic ulcers.

If you have diabetes, you should check your feet every day for sores and open wounds.

10. Itching:
Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation.

If you notice one or more of the above mentioned signs then its important that you correlate with other risk factors like obesity, family history of diabetes or having a sedentary lifestyle. Just having only one sign cannot be directly linked to diabetes. It can be associated with other diseases also.

But if you are 40+ and fall into this high risk groups then it’s better to check blood sugar level on a regular basis. Early detection of diabetes and precautionary measures can prevent many future complications

For more detailed information on the signs of diabetes watch the full video.

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Medical disclaimer: Medinaz Academy does not provide medical advice. The content available in our books and videos, on our website, or on our social media handles do not provide a diagnosis or other recommendation for treatment and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosis and treatment of any person or animal. We intend to provide educational information only. The determination of the need for medical services and the types of healthcare to be provided to a patient are decisions that should be made only by a physician or other licensed health care provider. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition.