1. Yellow, reddish, or brown patches on your skin
Necrobiosis Lipoidica
This skin condition often begins as small raised solid bumps that look like pimples. As it progresses, these bumps turn into patches of swollen and hard skin. The patches can be yellow, reddish, or brown.
You may also notice:
- The surrounding skin has a shiny porcelain-like appearance
- The surrounding skin has a shiny porcelain-like appearance
You can see blood vessels
The skin is itchy and painful
The skin disease goes through cycles where it is active, inactive, and then active again
The medical name for this condition is necrobiosis lipodica.
Take action
- Get tested for diabetes, if you have not been diagnosed.
- Work with your doctor to better control your diabetes.
- See a dermatologist about your skin. Necorbiosis lipodica is harmless, but it can lead to complications.
2. Darker area of skin that feels like velvet
A dark patch (or band) of velvety skin on the back of your neck, armpit, groin, or elsewhere could mean that you have too much insulin in your blood. This is often a sign of prediabetes. The medical name for this skin condition is acanthosis nigricans.
Acanthosis Nigricans (AN)
Often causing darker skin in the creases of the neck, AN may be the first sign that someone has diabetes.