That Skin Tag Could Indicate Diabetes… See More
You’ve probably noticed them over the years—those small, soft, flesh-colored growths that seem to appear out of nowhere on your neck, armpits, or eyelids. Skin tags are so common that most people consider them a harmless nuisance, just another part of getting older. You might have even tried to remove them yourself or asked your dermatologist to take them off for cosmetic reasons. But what if these little growths are trying to tell you something important about your health?
For many adults over 50, skin tags aren’t just random skin growths—they can be visible markers of metabolic changes happening inside your body. Recent research has revealed a surprising connection between these common skin growths and one of the most significant health conditions affecting older adults: diabetes.
The Diabetes-Skin Tag Connection: More Than Coincidence
The relationship between skin tags and diabetes isn’t just theoretical. Multiple studies have found that people with multiple skin tags are significantly more likely to have:
- Insulin resistance
- Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
In fact, one study found that people with more than 30 skin tags had a 65% higher chance of having insulin resistance compared to those with fewer skin tags.
Why Does This Happen?
The connection comes down to insulin—the hormone that regulates your blood sugar. When your body becomes resistant to insulin (a precursor to type 2 diabetes), higher levels of insulin circulate in your bloodstream. This excess insulin stimulates the growth of skin cells and tissues, leading to the development of skin tags.
It’s not that skin tags cause diabetes—rather, they’re like a warning light on your car’s dashboard, indicating that something underneath needs attention.
What Makes Skin Tags Suspicious?
While anyone can develop skin tags, certain patterns should raise concern:
- Multiple tags (especially more than 10-15)
- Tags that appear suddenly in adulthood
- Tags in specific locations (neck, armpits, groin)
- Tags accompanied by other signs of insulin resistance
Other Skin Signs of Blood Sugar Issues
Skin tags aren’t the only skin changes that might indicate blood sugar problems. Watch for:
- Acanthosis nigricans: Dark, velvety patches in body folds
- Digital sclerosis: Tight, waxy skin on hands and fingers
- Eruptive xanthomatosis: Small, reddish-yellow bumps
- Slow-healing wounds: Cuts and sores that take weeks to heal
Why This Matters Especially for Older Adults
As we age, our risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases due to:
- Natural decrease in insulin sensitivity
- Changes in body composition (more fat, less muscle)
- Reduced physical activity
- Medication side effects
- Genetic predisposition
The problem is that type 2 diabetes often develops gradually, with minimal symptoms in the early stages. By the time classic symptoms like thirst and frequent urination appear, significant damage may have already occurred.
What You Should Do If You Have Multiple Skin Tags
- Don’t panic—skin tags are common and don’t automatically mean you have diabetes
- Schedule a doctor’s appointment for blood sugar testing
- Request these tests:
- Fasting blood glucose
- Hemoglobin A1c (3-month average blood sugar)
- Oral glucose tolerance test
- Examine other skin areas for additional signs of insulin resistance
- Review your family history—diabetes often runs in families
Prevention and Management: More Than Skin Deep
The good news is that catching blood sugar issues early can often prevent or delay the progression to full diabetes. Even if you already have diabetes, better management can reduce complications.
Lifestyle changes that help both skin tags and blood sugar:
- Lose excess weight (even 5-7% weight loss makes a difference)
- Increase physical activity (aim for 150 minutes weekly)
- Reduce sugar and refined carbs
- Increase fiber intake
- Manage stress (cortisol affects blood sugar)
- Improve sleep quality
When to See Your Doctor
Consult your healthcare provider if you notice:
- Multiple new skin tags appearing
- Skin tags along with other diabetes symptoms
- Changes in existing skin tags
- Any skin growth that bleeds, itches, or changes color
The Big Picture
Your skin is your body’s largest organ—and often the first place internal health issues become visible. Those little skin tags you’ve been ignoring might be valuable messengers from inside your body, offering early warning of metabolic changes that could affect your health for years to come.
Instead of just cutting them off, consider what they might be telling you. A simple blood test could confirm whether your skin tags are just cosmetic concerns or signs that it’s time to take action for your metabolic health.
After all, the best health decisions often come from listening to your body’s subtle signals—even when they come in small, skin-colored packages.