Is Skin Tag Caused By Diabetes?

Have you noticed skin tags on you? Were they always there or did you notice it recently? If it is something you are just noticing, it may be a bad news. Your skin tags may have a connection with diabetes.

Diabetes is a long-term condition that happens when there is too much sugar in your bloodstream. This is because your body is unable to process it correctly. When someone is diabetes-free, the pancreas produce a hormone called insulin that helps move sugar into the cells of the body. However, with someone with diabetes, the pancreas either does not make enough insulin or the body does not use it well. This leads to sugar build up in the blood.

These are small growths that happen on skin that hang from stalks. They are harmless, however, could be irritating and so many people get it removed.

While getting skin tags does not mean that you have diabetes, it could be associated with insulin resistance too.

A 2007 study titled Skin tag as a cutaneous marker for impaired carbohydrate metabolism: a case-control study, found that there was an increased risk of diabetes in people who had multiple skin tags. The study recommended that healthcare providers suspect diabetes in people with skin tags. In a later study in 2015, titled, Acrochordons and diabetes mellitus: A Case control study, more evidence was provided, which further strengthened the claim. Another 2017 study titled, Skin Tags and Atherogenic Lipid Profile in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Jabir Abu Eliz Diabetes Center, also concluded that skin tags were an indicator of high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

Though the connection is still unknown, experts provide that this happens due to body's resistance to insulin. People who are overweight are also prone to developing skin tags as it is also linked to diabetes.

Skin tags are harmless, however due to it being irritating, people get it removed. There are ways to get skin tags treated:

Some people also find natural remedies for skin tag, however it has not been proven. People have found apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and lemon juice to be effective. However, these methods could have risk of infection, thus it is always advisable to consult your doctor.

If your skin tag is related to diabetes, you may find that with stabilized insulin the tags get clear and do not recur frequently.

Shin Spots: These are also called diabetic dermopathy, which are round or oval spots that are developed on shins. These are brown in color.

Darker Area of Skin, velvety feeling: A dark patch or band of velvety skin could appear on your neck, armpit, or groin area. It could be a sign of pre-diabetes. This is also called acanthosis nigricans.

Skin Thickening: It is also called scleredema diabeticorum. Your skin could look hard, thick and swollen.

Open sores and wounds: Having high blood sugar (glucose) for a long time can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage. Then are called diabetic ulcers.

Small bumps: The medical condition is called eruptive xanthomatosis, which could happen due to uncontrolled diabetes.

Yellow bumps: These are called xanthelasma, which are bumps or patches that develop when you have high levels of fat in your blood.