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 develop a patch of darkened skin on your armpit.
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 struggles to convert sugar in the blood into usable energy.
It’s crucial, if you think you may have diabetes, to speak to a doctor as soon as possible.
One of the more uncommon signs of the condition includes developing a number of spots.
Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point in their lifetime, said the NHS.
But, while the condition may be caused by hormone level changes in teenagers, it could also be caused by diabetes, warned LighterLife’s medical director, Dr Matthew Capehorn.
An imbalance of blood sugar levels encourages the development of spots, he said.
If you suddenly develop acne on any part of the skin, you should consider speaking to your doctor about diabetes.
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“It’s very important to remember that patients with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms at all,” Dr Capehorn told Express Health.
“Initially, and for many years, type 2 diabetes may have no noticeable symptoms at all, making it difficult to diagnose unless it’s picked up by routine health screening programmes. The diagnosis often comes as a shock.
“A change in season, temperature or even shower gel can irritate your skin, but some conditions are closely linked to type 2 diabetes.
“Some skin conditions, including acne and recurrent or persistent cysts or other infections, are associated with poor control of blood sugar levels, so they should alert you to the possibility of a diagnosis of diabetes.”
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Acne is most likely to affect the face, while some people also develop spots on their back.
Around 15 percent of all patients have acne on their chest, added the NHS.
Mild acne may be able to be treated by over-the-counter medication.
But, if these don’t work, or your acne is affecting your day-to-day life, you should speak to a GP.
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Many people may have diabetes without even knowing it, because the signs and symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel unwell.
Common diabetes symptoms include feeling very tired, having an unquenchable thirst, and passing more urine than normal.
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.
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