5 Sneaky Skin Symptoms That Could Signal High Blood Sugar or Undiagnosed Diabetes
Doctors say yeast infections thrive in those with elevated glucose levels
When you think of the early warning signs of diabetes, skin problems likely aren’t the first thing to come to mind. But our body’s largest organ, our skin, can actually be a very telling asset. We spoke to experts to understand the top five skin symptoms that signal elevated blood sugar, prediabetes and undiagnosed or unmanaged diabetes.
How diabetes can affect your skin: 5 warning signs
For some people, a skin rash could be the first early sign of high blood glucose levels or diabetes. It looks different on different people, and can manifest as everything from light brown scaly patches to painless blisters to raised red patches of skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Aside from a rash, these are the other ways diabetes can affect your skin:
1. Dark skin patches (acanthosis nigricans)
One of the most common symptoms of elevated blood sugar is darkening of the skin on the back of the neck or within folds of the body, explains Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, PhD, Dermatologist and owner of Dermatology Circle PLLC clinic.
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“It often looks like ‘dirty’ skin patches and is a sign of insulin resistance, which can precede diabetes.” says Dr. Kazlouskaya.
These darkened skin patches will have a thickened appearance, adds Maral Kibarian Skelsey, MD, FAAD, FACMS. They’re related to our body’s insulin response.
“When someone is insulin resistant, the excess insulin can lead to increased formation of pigment called melanin,” explains Dr. skelsey. “Women with acanthosis nigricans have an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes. It can also be associated with malignancies and hormonal conditions.”
Dr. Skelsey notes there’s also a genetic factor in a person’s likelihood of developing acanthosis nigricans. The condition is “more common in individuals above their ideal body weight and in those with darker skin, including Native Americans, Africans and those of Hispanic descent.”
2. Shin spots (diabetic dermopathy)
“Shin spots, or diabetic dermopathy, manifests as small red to brown papules on the shin and can be half a centimeter to one centimeter big,” explains Dr. Skelsey. “They can also become scarred and depressed, and four or more lesions suggests diabetes.”
“They may heal with some pigmentation and are often a sign of changes in small blood vessels related to diabetes,” adds Dr. Kazlouskaya.
These types of diabetic skin lesions are typically painless, more common in men and associated with an increased risk of eye and kidney disease.
3. Yellow-reddish bumps or spots (necrobiosis lipoidica)
Dr. Skelsey says necrobiosis lipoidica refers to firm, yellow-brown plaques with a sunken in or depressed center typically found on the shin.
She explains women are affected three times more than men, and it typically affects those between the ages of 20 and 40. The skin condition is more common in diabetics who are dependent on insulin. “Fifteen percent of lesions may precede onset of diabetes by an average of two years,” Dr. Skelsey adds.
4. Open sores or slow-healing wounds
While getting a cut or scrape here and there isn’t a direct early warning sign of diabetes, discovering that your wounds are healing particularly slowly is.
“Delayed healing is often due to a combination of nerve damage, poor circulation and a weakened immune response—all of which are common in uncontrolled diabetes. Identifying this early allows for better management and helps avoid [skin] infections and complications,” explains Dr. Kazlouskaya.
5. Yeast or fungal infections
“Candida or yeast infections can occur in the mouth and vagina and in skin folds (where moisture is high) and around the nail,” explains Dr. Skelsey.
While someone could develop a yeast or fungal infection without elevated blood sugar levels, Dr. Skelsey says “candida thrives in environments where the blood sugar is high. In addition, diabetes affects the immune system and inhibits the body’s ability to fight infection.”
Subtle ways diabetes can manifest on your skin
While there are several major skin signs of elevated blood sugar or increased diabetes risk, there are also other warning signs you may not realize are connected to blood sugar health.
“For example, bumps on the eyelids called xanthelasmas are cholesterol-rich deposits and can be seen in people with diabetes or abnormal lipid levels,” explains Dr. Kazlouskaya. “Thickened skin on the hands or back may also be a subtle sign of long-standing high blood sugar.”
If you’re particularly experiencing “tight, thick waxy skin on the fingers causing the fingers to be stiff,” that can also be occurring due to diabetes, adds Dr. Skelsey.
The bottom line
It’s not always easy to tell whether something on your skin is harmless or a sign of a more serious health issue. When in doubt, it’s always smart to check with your doctor.
“If something seems unusual or doesn’t go away, the best first step is to schedule a visit with a board-certified dermatologist,” adds Dr. Kazlouskaya. “We’re trained to diagnose and manage over 3,000 skin conditions, and we often catch early signs of systemic issues like diabetes before they progress.”
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