A sign of high blood sugar.. Beware of “acanthosis nigricans”

A number of doctors have warned of a skin condition that may be an early indicator that the diet contains excessive amounts of sugar, which may lead to type 2 diabetes.

According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report for 2024, data for 2021 showed that about 38.4 million Americans of all ages suffer from diabetes, 90 to 95 percent of whom are type 2, while it is estimated that another 8.7 million adults meet the criteria for the disease without realizing it.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use insulin properly, and sugar accumulates in the blood, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Doctor Raj Dasgupta says that high insulin “usually does not cause symptoms that can be felt directly, and this is what makes it deceptive.”

One obvious but often overlooked indicator is the appearance of dark, thickened patches on the skin known as acanthosis nigricans, usually appearing at the back of the neck, under the armpits, in the groin area, and under the breasts.

Although there are other possible causes for this condition, such as genetic factors or rare tumors, high insulin levels are one of the most common factors.

Dr. Samantha Brand explains that “eating large amounts of sugar raises the level of glucose in the blood, which stimulates the body to secrete more insulin, which in turn activates certain skin cells that contain insulin receptors.”

With chronically high insulin, “there is excessive stimulation of pigment-producing cells and the cornea, which leads to the appearance of dark and thick spots on the skin.”

Doctors confirm that pre-diabetes is treatable and reversible, if intervention is carried out early by exercising regularly, reducing the consumption of processed foods, controlling stress, and losing weight.

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