A doctor has revealed a surprising sign that could point to diabetes. The blood sugar condition is often reluctant to rear its ugly head at first, but when signs do appear they include problems, ranging from frequent urination to feeling very tired.
However, UK-based doctor Dr James Donovan took to his TikTok to outline a symptom that strikes on your legs instead.
In the video, the doctor illustrates skin changes on the shins of a diabetic patient.
He explained that shin spots, also known as diabetic dermopathy, could ring alarm bells.
Dr Donovan said: “This is a harmless skin condition that often affects people living with diabetes.”
You can identify these spots by their small, round and brownish appearance. These spots can sometimes be pink or reddish as well, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The health portal also notes that they can look like scars and be indented.
When it comes to their size, they’re generally around one to 2.5 centimetres.
Other tell-tale signs of diabetic dermopathy are that the spots don’t itch, ooze liquid or cause pain.
Diabetic dermopathy most often appears on your shins, but one leg may have more patches than the other.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that it can also appear on other parts of your body, including your thighs and arms.
The condition is more common in people with diabetes who are over 50 years of age and those who have lived with the blood sugar condition for a long time.
According to the health portal, shin spots are also more common in people assigned male at birth.
While it’s not quite clear why shin spots occur, many researchers think that diabetic dermopathy may be linked to diabetic neuropathy, which describes a type of nerve damage that’s caused by chronic high blood sugar levels.
There’s currently no known treatment for this condition, but the good news is that the skin patches are harmless.
The Cleveland Clinic adds that makeup and moisturiser could help with the appearance of the round spots.
The health portal also advises to continue treating your diabetes and managing blood sugar levels in order to stay healthy and prevent complications.