Experts are urging the public to stay alert to the warning signs of type 2 diabetes since newly-released figures showed that more than one million Britons are unknowingly living with the condition.
Data released by Diabetes UK earlier this year painted a stark picture; one in five adults in the UK currently has diabetes or prediabetes.
“This is an all-time high,” the charity shared on its website, along with figures showing that 4.6 million people in the country have a diagnosis.
Concerningly, a further 1.3 million people are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
High blood sugar symptoms can be subtle and easy to miss
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Though the figures may sound alarming, the condition's early signs can be subtle and are easily missed.
Excessive thirst and blurry vision are well-known signs of high blood sugar. Yet, skin changes can be just as troubling.
Board-certified endocrinologist Doctor Nicole Sheung, from CLS Health, shared 10 signs that signal the possibility of diabetes in a recent clip.
According to the expert, the danger signs include:
1 - Always hungry
2- Blurry vision
3 - Numbness and tingling in limbs
4 - frequent urination
5 - Always thirsty
6 - Hyperpigmentation, dark patches and skin tags
7 - Belly fat and increased waistline
8 - Swollen feet or legs
9 - Dry cracked skin
10 - Low energy and fatigue.
Dry cracked skin, hyperpigmentation, dark patches and skin tags are some of the key dermatological manifestations that have been linked with diabetes, according to Dr Sheung.
“Often developing on the back of the neck, this condition may be the first sign that someone has diabetes or prediabetes,” warns the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
It also notes that harmless growths like skin tags develop anywhere on the skin but are most common on the eyelids, neck, armpit and groin.
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Doctor Nicole Sheung shared a wide range of symptoms
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“While harmless, having many skin conditions may be a sign that you have type 2 diabetes,” the health body shares.
The dry skin seen in individuals with type 2 diabetes typically affects the feet, lower legs and shins, along with other common symptoms of the condition.
This is primarily due to nerve damage - also known as neuropathy - or poor circulation - medically referred to as ischemia - caused by high blood sugar levels.
These complications can ultimately lead to a loss of sensation in the extremities, increasing the risk of infections and ulcers. Symptoms that persist, therefore, require prompt medical attention.