Diabetes Skin Signs: Foot & Leg Symptoms | DPM Guide

Quick answer: Top 15 Diabetes Skin Signs Symptoms Type 2 1 Diabetes Mellitus affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

TOP 15 Diabetes Skin Signs & Symptoms [Type 2 & 1 Diabetes Mellitus]

TOP 15 Diabetes Skin Signs & Symptoms [Type 2 & 1 Diabetes Mellitus] 🦶37.3 million Americans—about 1 in 10—have diabetes. · 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. These are the Top 15 signs & symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus 🦶 More than 20 million people in the United States have been estimated to have some form of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but this figure may be significantly higher. Chapters: 0:00 Type 2 & Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Causes 0:50 Yellow, Red & brown skin patches 1:38 Dark Velvet Skin 2:28 Brown or Dark Shin Spots 2:54 What causes skin tags [Acrochordons] 3:54 Cholesterol buildup Xanthelasma 4:12 Hard lump on finger joint under skin 5:13 Small Red and Yellow Bumps on skin 6:37 Hard dry skin 7:38 Raised Red Lumps & bumps on skin 8:03 Stiff skin and tight tendons 8:30 Shin thin Skin & numbness [Peripheral Neuropathy] 9:27 Blisters 10:08 Thin Red Skin [Atrophic Skin] 10:50 Skin Infections 11:45 Diabetic foot ulcers 12:01 No hair growth (Hair falling out diabetes) 13:45 Diabetes skin problem treatment 14:07 Diabetes Skin home remedies 👉 LINKS 👈 (With some links, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission. Check with your doctor before using any product. Thank you for being so supportive of this channel!) Vitamin D3 & Vitamin K2 Supplements: Watch this Video: https://youtu.be/esTz-_Mpm4Q Vitamin D3 5,000 unit + Vitamin K2: https://geni.us/aNgo (Amazon) Vitamin K2 & Vitamin D Soft gels: https://geni.us/r7hJKt (Amazon) Vitamin D 5,000 unit: https://geni.us/6poa4 (Amazon) Vitamin D 5,000 unit (Year Supply): https://geni.us/bsEg9M (Amazon) Best Magnesium Supplements: Watch this video for details: https://youtu.be/sOA1RPT8suw 1st Magnesium citrate: https://geni.us/hQaNlBk (Amazon) 1st Magnesium Spray: https://geni.us/z7j2J8R (Amazon) Magnesium Citrate Powder: https://geni.us/2B7h3c (Amazon) Magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts): https://geni.us/NuMOQh (Amazon) Turmeric (Anti-inflammatory benefit spice): Watch this for more: https://youtu.be/hIoGWnAv2YM Turmeric & Ginger Complex (Amazon Basics): https://geni.us/NI4Vebe (Amazon) Low-Cost Turmeric Seasoning: https://geni.us/oUGmjN (Amazon) Omega 3 Fatty Acid (Check how much EPA & EHA in it, not the total fat content): Watch this for more: https://youtu.be/8CVHgrf-FLQ High % EPA & DHA Omega 3 Fatty Acid: https://geni.us/OVn1vu (Amazon) First Over 50% EPA & DHA Option: https://geni.us/MhD5Bf (Amazon) Chondroitin & Glucosamine (Joint Cartilage Growth Factor): Watch this for more: https://youtu.be/8CVHgrf-FLQ Costco Brand (Kirkland) Combo: https://geni.us/0gAWarB (Amazon) Alpha Lipoic Acid (Antioxidant beneficial in Neuropathic pain, Diabetes. Watch this for more: https://youtu.be/9SROQJl-a6I R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (Needs to Be R- not S-Alpha Lipoic Acid) 👉 Shoes 👈 Best Shoes:

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Best Products: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/recommended-foot-doctor-products/// 📢See a Podiatrist!📢 See a podiatrist if you have a specific foot, ankle, or health problem. This information is NOT specific to your medical problem. If in Michigan, consider seeing us at our clinic: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/ https://g.page/r/CaxJ9b-O6o27EAE This is opinion only: For the viewer or reader: Do not consider this video a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly urge you to contact your physician with any questions regarding your medical condition. If you have an emergency, call 911 immediately or see your physician. Do not allow this information to let you disregard your professional’s medical advice or delay seeking information from this content. Do not rely on information provided by this general education video. Healthcare practitioners: The content here is for education purposes only. The authors have done their best to provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based information, but this content should definitely not be considered any type of medical standard. It does not reflect individual practices in other geographic areas. This is strictly for medical education purposes only, and it is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. The information in these videos is the author’s opinion and is not an official opinion of any organizations that the authors may be a part of. The authors or speakers are not associated with any of the above products.

Diabetes and Foot Health in Michigan: Preventive Podiatric Care at Balance Foot & Ankle

Michigan diabetes patients who are proactive about their foot health can dramatically reduce their risk of the serious complications — foot ulcers, infections, and amputations — that make diabetes the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation in the United States. At Balance Foot & Ankle, diabetic foot care begins with a thorough diabetic foot examination that assesses protective sensation, vascular status, skin integrity, nail health, and structural foot deformities that increase ulcer risk. For diabetic patients with qualifying foot complications, we provide the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Benefit (one pair of depth-inlay shoes and three pairs of inserts per calendar year), custom diabetic insoles, and prescription offloading devices when active wounds require pressure relief. Michigan diabetic patients who have not had a foot examination in the past year — or who have new symptoms like numbness, burning, or a wound that is not healing — can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule a diabetic foot evaluation at our Howell or Bloomfield Township location.

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In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your diabetic foot conditions, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).

What does treatment cost?

Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.

More questions patients ask

What skin signs can indicate diabetes?

Diabetes produces distinctive skin changes including: acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety patches in skin folds — indicates insulin resistance), diabetic dermopathy (light brown scaly patches on shins), eruptive xanthomatosis (yellow pimple-like deposits from high triglycerides), necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (waxy yellow-brown plaques on shins), diabetic blisters (spontaneous blisters on feet and legs), skin tags (multiple tags associated with insulin resistance), and impaired wound healing. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208), our podiatrists evaluate skin changes related to diabetes — call (810) 206-1402.

What does diabetic dermopathy look like on the feet and legs?

Diabetic dermopathy appears as small (less than 1cm), round, light brown or reddish-brown, flat-topped scaly patches on the shins and front of the lower legs. They are usually painless and may come and go. They are caused by microangiopathy (small vessel disease) from long-standing diabetes and are one of the most common skin manifestations of diabetes. They require no treatment but serve as a marker of diabetic vascular disease that may be affecting other organs. Balance Foot & Ankle podiatrists recognize and note these findings during diabetic foot exams — call (810) 206-1402.

What is acanthosis nigricans and what does it mean for diabetes?

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition presenting as dark, velvety, thickened skin in body folds — typically the neck, armpits, groin, and under breasts. It is a marker of insulin resistance and is often one of the first visible signs of pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, particularly in overweight individuals. Finding acanthosis nigricans during a physical exam should prompt blood sugar testing. At Balance Foot & Ankle, our podiatrists may notice acanthosis nigricans on ankle and foot skin folds and can recommend appropriate follow-up with your primary care provider — call (810) 206-1402.

Why do diabetics get blisters on their feet?

Diabetic foot blisters (bullosis diabeticorum) occur spontaneously — without trauma — in some diabetic patients, typically on the feet and lower legs. They form due to: reduced skin resilience from advanced glycation end-products, poor circulation, peripheral neuropathy (patients don't feel minor repetitive trauma), and immune dysfunction reducing skin healing. Diabetic blisters must be managed carefully — improper care leads to infection and ulceration. NEVER pop diabetic blisters at home. Contact Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 for prompt professional management.

How does diabetes affect wound healing on the feet?

Diabetes impairs wound healing through multiple mechanisms: high blood sugar inhibits neutrophil (immune cell) function reducing infection defense; neuropathy causes loss of protective sensation allowing injuries to go unnoticed; peripheral vascular disease reduces oxygen and nutrient delivery to healing tissue; advanced glycation end-products impair collagen cross-linking needed for tissue repair; and immune dysfunction slows inflammatory and proliferative healing phases. Even small foot wounds in diabetics can become serious if not treated promptly. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we provide urgent wound care — call (810) 206-1402.

How often should diabetics check their feet?

Daily self-exams plus professional exams annually (or every 3-6 months for neuropathy/PAD patients). Dr. Biernacki provides comprehensive diabetic foot care programs.

Why do diabetics have foot problems?

Diabetes causes nerve damage, reduced blood flow, and impaired immunity. Injuries go unnoticed and heal slowly. ~15% of diabetics develop ulcers. Prevention through regular podiatric care is essential.

What are signs of diabetic neuropathy?

Tingling, burning, numbness starting in toes, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, balance problems. Schedule evaluation at 810-206-1402 for nerve testing and management.

Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.