The fine lines on your neck are a sign of that disease

Wellness coach Jade Rivers explains what the body structure of someone approaching diabetes looks like. According to Rivers, if people can recognize the various changes in their body that indicate insulin resistance, they can make changes and reverse it.

Here are some unexpected signs that you may be heading toward a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis:

Dark spots on neck and armpits: Insulin resistance can lead to a buildup of the hormone in the body, which can cause dark spots and rashes on the skin.

Dark, velvety patches on the skin, most often in body creases like the neck and armpits, may be a sign of acanthosis nigricans (AN). This is a skin condition often associated with obesity and insulin resistance, and is a possible early sign of type 2 diabetes. These patches are not caused by diabetes itself, but by underlying insulin resistance. AN is characterized by dark, velvety patches on various parts of the body, such as the neck, armpits, groin, and sometimes the hands, elbows, or knees. This is usually a sign that your body is producing too much insulin. When the body is insulin resistant, the pancreas may overproduce the hormone to compensate.

SOME PEOPLE TRY TO RUB THE STAINS

Some people may try scrubbing or bleaching the spots, but this is not effective in getting rid of dark spots. Instead, they should change their diet to include healthier foods and get physical activity. Losing weight may also help. This will reduce the amount of excess insulin in the body and relieve AN.

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are small, harmless growths that are usually found in areas where skin folds or rubs together, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. They can also appear in areas where skin rubs against clothing or jewelry and are caused by friction. While usually benign, if you start to notice more skin tags than usual, you may need to see a doctor.