Medically Reviewed by Debra Jaliman, MD on January 13, 2022
Acanthosis Nigricans

Acanthosis Nigricans

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You might mistake it for a tan or brown stain and try to scrub it off. But it won’t work. This condition is common in people with diabetes. Your skin usually darkens and thickens, and it might feel velvety. It could itch and smell, too. The back of the neck, groin, folds of elbows, knees, knuckles, and armpits are common spots. Being overweight or obese ups your chances for acanthosis nigricans, so shedding pounds can help get rid of it.

Diabetic Blisters

Diabetic Blisters

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These might pop up suddenly on your fingers, toes, hands, feet, and sometimes on legs or forearms. They’re usually white with no red around them. The blisters might look scary, but they usually don’t hurt and heal on their own in about 3 weeks. They could be a sign that you have diabetes or that your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

Thickened Skin

Thickened Skin

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Your doctor might call it digital sclerosis. It can happen with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The skin on the back of your hands or on your fingers or toes may be thick and waxy. Those patches may spread to your arms, upper back, and shoulders. In severe cases, you may have trouble moving your joints and need physical therapy. The best way to treat this condition is to control your blood sugar.

Shin Spots (Diabetic Dermopathy)

Shin Spots (Diabetic Dermopathy)

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These can look like simple age spots. But they’re not. High blood sugar from diabetes damages small blood vessels and causes these brownish patches. These roundish, rough spots often appear on your shins. Dermopathy is usually harmless and should fade away in 18 months or so. But it also can last a long time.

Necrobiosis Lipoidica

Necrobiosis Lipoidica

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Necrobiosis means degeneration and death. Small, raised, red spots on your skin slowly grow larger and shinier and sometimes turn yellow. Your skin may thin and split, causing sores called ulcers. It can itch and hurt. But it’s very rare. Only 1 in 300 people with diabetes have it. It’s hard to treat, but prescription medications, injections, or lotions may help.

Eruptive Xanthomatosis

Eruptive Xanthomatosis

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Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to Eruptive Xanthomatosis breakouts of these pimply, waxy bumps on your feet, hands, arms, legs, and butt. Young males with type 1 diabetes are particularly likely to get them. The skin eruptions may be tender and itchy, but they’re not contagious. Talk to your doctor about how to better control your blood sugar levels. That should help ease the bumps as well.

Bacterial Infection

Bacterial Infection

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High blood sugar can dry out your skin and curb your immune system. This raises your risk of skin infections, with staph (staphylococcus) being the most common. You might have styes on your eyes, inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis), or infected nails. Talk to your doctor if your skin feels swollen, itchy, painful, or hot, especially if you know you have high blood sugar or diabetes.

Fungal Infection

Fungal Infection

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Fungi, like bacteria, love to hang out in the moist folds of skin. That includes your armpits, under the breasts, around the nails, and the corners of the mouth. You may have heard it called athlete’s foot on your feet, jock itch around your genitals, or ringworm on your scalp. Candida albicans is the most common fungus that causes it. Your doctor can help treat the infection and tell you if it’s a sign of uncontrolled diabetes.

Itchy Skin

Itchy Skin

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This is a common complaint, even among people who don’t have diabetes. But itchy skin can result from dry skin or poor circulation, both of which are more likely when you have diabetes. It helps if you limit your time in the shower or the bathtub, wash with mild soap, and moisturize after you bathe.

Granuloma Annulare

Granuloma Annulare

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Doctors aren’t sure how this condition is linked to diabetes. They also don’t know exactly what causes these tiny red bumps around your ankles, hands, feet, or upper arms, and elsewhere. It may be a response to inflammation. Your doctor may try to treat it with creams or injections. You won’t need treatment if your symptoms are mild.

Xanthelasma

Xanthelasma

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Xanthelasma happens when your body collects extra cholesterol around your eyes. You might notice flat or slightly raised yellowish growths on or around the eyelids. The deposits aren’t harmful or painful, but they could signal uncontrolled diabetes, high cholesterol, or other health problems.

Foot Ulcers

Foot Ulcers

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These sores can start with nothing more than a small scrape if you have diabetes, especially if it continues to rub in tight-fitting shoes. That’s in part because of poor circulation that makes it harder for wounds to heal and also can cause nerve damage so you can’t feel as well. Check your feet for sores every day, and ask your doctor how to best treat them.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo

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It’s more common if you have type 1 diabetes, but those with type 2 also can get it. It’s not clear why. Vitiligo destroys cells that normally color your skin with pigment. You might notice patchy skin of a clearly different color. It usually affects your chest, belly, and back, but sometimes happens on the face as well. Vitiligo may be treated with medicated creams, UV light, and even surgery. Use sunscreen to protect the affected skin patches.