Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, yet many of its early symptoms go unnoticed. According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 37.3 million Americans (or 11% of the population) have diabetes. Detecting the early warning signs can help with early diagnosis and better management of the condition.

Here are nine early signs of diabetes that you should be aware of.

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1. Skin Tags: A Warning Sign?

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are harmless skin growths that can appear on various parts of the body, such as the underarms, groin, neck, and eyelids. While they are generally benign, research suggests that an increase in skin tags may be linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

💡 What to do?
If you suddenly notice multiple skin tags appearing, consult a doctor to rule out underlying health conditions.

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2. Small, Itchy Bumps on the Skin

Diabetes can lead to elevated triglyceride levels, a type of fat that circulates in the blood. High triglycerides can cause a skin condition called eruptive xanthomatosis, which appears as small, itchy bumps.

🔍 How to recognize it?
✔ Yellowish bumps on lighter skin tones
✔ Grayish bumps on darker skin tones
✔ Usually found on thighs, buttocks, knees, and elbows
✔ Tender and itchy to the touch

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3. Constant Fatigue and Low Energy

Feeling drained all the time despite getting enough rest? Fatigue is a common symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

🚨 Possible causes:
✔ Fluctuations in blood sugar levels
✔ Side effects of diabetes medication
✔ Insulin resistance leading to poor energy metabolism

If you're feeling constantly exhausted, it may be time to get your blood sugar levels checked.

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4. Dark Patches on the Skin

Dark, velvety patches of skin on the neck, groin, or armpits could be a sign of acanthosis nigricans, a condition linked to insulin resistance.

💡 How to identify it?
✔ Feels velvety to the touch
✔ Doesn’t disappear with scrubbing
✔ Commonly found on the back of the neck, armpits, and groin

This symptom is often an early indicator of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

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5. Frequent Thirst & Increased Urination

One of the earliest and most common signs of diabetes is excessive thirst and frequent urination.

🧪 Why does this happen?
✔ When blood sugar levels rise, the kidneys work harder to filter and absorb the excess glucose.
✔ When the kidneys can’t keep up, the extra glucose is flushed out through urine, leading to dehydration and increased thirst.

If you find yourself constantly drinking water and needing to urinate more often, you may want to get checked for diabetes.

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6. Blurry Vision

High blood sugar levels can affect the small blood vessels in the eyes, leading to blurry vision.

👀 Possible eye complications from diabetes:
✔ Diabetic retinopathy
✔ Macular edema
✔ Glaucoma
✔ Cataracts

💡 Tip: Doctors recommend stabilizing blood sugar levels before getting new glasses to ensure an accurate prescription.

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7. Slow-Healing Wounds & Frequent Infections

If you notice that cuts, bruises, or wounds take longer than usual to heal, it may be a sign of diabetes-related poor circulation.

🩹 Why does this happen?
✔ High blood sugar damages blood vessels, slowing down the healing process.
✔ Poor circulation leads to less oxygen and nutrients reaching the wound, making healing more difficult.

🚨 Risk Alert: High blood sugar levels also weaken the immune system, making infections more common and harder to fight off.

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8. Unexplained Weight Loss

While many people try to lose weight, unexpected and rapid weight loss could be a red flag for diabetes.

⚖ Why does this happen?
✔ When the body can’t absorb glucose properly, it starts burning fat and muscle for energy.
✔ This can cause rapid weight loss over a few weeks to months.

If you’re losing weight without trying, it’s time to see a doctor.

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9. Tingling & Numbness in Hands and Feet

High blood sugar can damage nerves over time, leading to a condition called diabetic neuropathy.

🛑 Signs to watch for:
✔ Tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or legs
✔ A burning sensation in extremities
✔ Feeling like socks are bunched up under your toes

If left untreated, diabetic neuropathy can become severe, leading to loss of sensation and serious complications.

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Final Thoughts: Take Action Early!

Diabetes often develops silently, but the early signs can help you detect it before complications arise.

🚨 What you should do:
✔ Monitor your body for these symptoms
✔ Get a simple blood test to check for diabetes or prediabetes
✔ Make healthy lifestyle changes (balanced diet, exercise, and weight management)

💡 Early diagnosis can make a huge difference in managing diabetes effectively. Don’t ignore the warning signs—your health depends on it! 💙