The skin condition that may be a sign of type 2 diabetes - are you at risk?

From express.co.uk

DIABETES type 2 symptoms may include feeling unusually tired, passing more urine than normal, and having cuts or wounds that take longer to heal than expected. But you could also be at risk of high blood sugar if you develop a "relatively common skin condition". These are the diabetes signs you should know about

Diabetes is a common condition that affects more than four million people in the UK, and 90 percent of all cases are caused by type 2 diabetes. You could be at risk of high blood sugar if you find an unusual dark patch of skin on your body, it's been claimed.

Type 2 diabetes could be caused by the body not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the body not reacting to insulin.

Without enough of the hormone, the body struggled to convert sugar in the blood into useable energy. It's crucial that if you think you may have diabetes, you speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

You should consider speaking to your doctor about diabetes if you find a dark patch on your skin.

Some diabetes patients develop a common skin condition known as acanthosis nigricans.

It's characterised by a darkening of the skin in particular areas of the body. The skin condition is most likely to develop in the folds of the skin, including the armpits and the neck. The patch may also feel slightly leathery, and the skin may be itchy.

"The signs of acanthosis nigricans are quite distinctive and result in a darkening of the skin around folds of skin, typically affecting the neck, armpits, groin, [or] joints of the fingers or toes," said medical website Diabetes.co.uk.

"As well being darker, the skin may take on a leathery or velvety feel and the skin may itch or smell.

"Acanthosis nigricans will usually be diagnosed by an examination of the affected area of skin.

"In people with diabetes, controlling blood glucose levels and losing can help to reduce the symptoms of the condition."

                                      Speak to a doctor if you're worried about the signs of diabetes                                                                                                      (Image: GETTY Images)

But just because you develop acanthosis nigricans, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have diabetes. It could also be caused by obesity, an underachieve thyroid, or even certain medication.

You should still speak to a doctor if you're worried about darkened patches on your skin, however.

It's more likely to be caused by diabetes if it's accompanied by any other warning signs of the condition. Common diabetes symptoms include having cuts or wounds that take longer to heal, having an unquenchable thirst, and passing more urine than normal. 

But many people may have diabetes without even knowing it, because the signs and symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel unwell.

You should speak to a doctor if you’re worried about the warning signs or symptoms of diabetes, or if you think you may be at risk.

Diagnosing the condition early is very important, because patients are more at risk of some deadly complications, including heart disease and strokes.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1340600/diabetes-type-2-symptoms-high-blood-sugar-signs-skin-dark-patch