The first signs of diabetes are often classed as general and don’t necessarily make you feel ill. This means that many patients are unaware that something is wrong, according to the NHS.
Fortunately, a doctor has outlined the earliest symptoms that could signal your body is “headed towards diabetes”. Dr Sasha Haddad took to her TikTok to list three important lesser-known signs.
In the video, Dr Haddad said: “When you eat sugar, your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. Insulin removes sugar from your blood and helps drive it into cells for energy.
“Type 2 diabetes occurs due to lifestyle choices such as poor diet, low exercise, and obesity. So, your body becomes resistant to insulin and your blood sugar levels spike, leading to health issues down the line.”
Three health issues that can occur due to this harmful process can appear on your neck, skin, underarms, groin, and between your toes.
1. Darker neck
If your skin in this area appears darker and velvet-like, it could be a red flag sign of diabetes, according to Dr Haddad.
One of the causes behind this discolouration could be acanthosis nigricans, which refers to a velvety, darkening of your skin that usually occurs in skin fold areas.
This hyperpigmentation has poorly defined borders and may also include thickening of the skin.
3. Yeast infections
The last sign that could signal your body is headed for diabetes is multiple yeast infections affecting your underarms, groin, and between your toes, the doctor added.
While yeast is a fungus normally found inside your body and on your skin, when too much yeast grows, it can cause an infection.
Worryingly, high blood sugar levels lead to better conditions for the yeast to grow.