Diabetes is a health condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it affects around 11% of the American population, which is around 37.3 million individuals. The early signs of diabetes often go undetected or dismissed as minor health issues. However, early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes are crucial, so it’s important to know which early signs to look out for. In this article, we will explore nine of these early signs of diabetes.

Skin Tags

Skin tags are harmless skin growths that can form on any part of your body. Some are firmly attached to the skin, whereas others hang from a tiny stalk. These growths are medically known as acrochordons. These skin tags are found all over the body, but most often on the underarms, groin, neck, and eyelashes. They are typically regarded as benign, but they could also indicate underlying health conditions such as type 2 . It’s always best to visit a doctor so that they can find out what is causing the tags to appear.

The Appearance of Small Bumps

Those with diabetes may also potentially experience elevated triglyceride levels. Triglyceride is a kind of fat that circulates in the bloodstream. Elevated levels of this fat can result in small bumps appearing on your skin, a condition called eruptive xanthomatosis. For individuals with lighter skin tones, these bumps will often appear yellowish in color. They can also appear grayish in color in individuals with darker skin tones. These bumps typically appear in areas such as your thighs, buttocks, knees, and elbows. However, they can appear anywhere and tend to be itchy and tender to the touch.