Diabetes is a condition that impacts millions of Brits every year. While the main symptoms include feeling very thirsty and peeing more frequently than usual, there are a number of little-known symptoms to look out for. There are two main types of diabetes, which is a serious condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition while type 2 is mainly down to lifestyle choices and is much more common. Both are very serious conditions so it's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it's likely to get worse if left untreated. It can lead to serious health complications so it's important to know of all the possible symptoms.
Many people are unaware that the illness can actually impact a person's skin. Chartered chemist, Bruce Green, explained that diabetic skin can be similar to skin that has prematurely aged. "The skin changing process is ‘Glycation’.
A process where proteins and sugars are cross-linked to advanced glycation end products (age) – there is a negative impact on the elasticity of the skin when collagen and elastin are stiffened," he told The Sun. Reduced circulation and reduced sensitivity of nerves can cause skin problems amongst diabetics and there are six key warning signs you need to be aware of: Yellow or brown patches or bumps A darker area of skin that feels velvety, particularly around the neck and armpit Hard-thickened patches of skin – particularly on fingers .