Early skin symptom of diabetes discovered

Dark spots on the neck and armpits: an inconspicuous but important signal of diabetes development

Spanish endocrinologist Larisa Figueiredo, in conversation with Metropoles publication, revealed important information: darkening and thickening of the skin in the neck and armpit areas may be an early harbinger of diabetes, which often remains without proper attention.

The endocrinologist notes that many mistakenly take these skin changes for insufficient hygiene or contamination. However, a characteristic feature of this symptom is that the pigmentation does not respond to water procedures or even deep cleansing with peeling.

This phenomenon, known as acanthosis, develops due to elevated blood glucose levels and decreased tissue sensitivity to insulin.

Characteristic changes in the skin can appear not only in the neck and armpits but also affect the groin area, elbow bends, and skin folds under the breasts.

Figueiredo emphasizes that such skin manifestations occur long before the classic symptoms of diabetes. Among other alarming signs, she includes a constant feeling of thirst (especially at night), frequent urination, and chronic fatigue that does not go away even after quality rest. All these symptoms, the specialist emphasizes, are directly related to hyperglycemia and the systemic disorders it causes in the body.

The endocrinologist strongly recommends not ignoring suddenly appearing pigmentation on the neck and in the armpits and seeking medical help in a timely manner. Early detection of the problem significantly slows down the progression of diabetes and helps avoid serious complications.