Nearly four million people are currently diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, but there are an estimated further 500,000 people who do not know they have it.
These figures were issued by the Diabetes and Wellness Foundation, who also say that nine in every 10 people with diabetes have the type 2 version. The Liverpool Echo reports that this type of diabetes can be prevented, but can also lead to serious health problems such as heart disease or stroke.
High blood sugar is a cause of diabetes, and if you have high blood sugar for a prolonged period of time, then it can result in permanent damage to important parts of the body - like the kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels.
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A number of symptoms of diabetes are visible on the skin, which include dry and cracked skin. People with diabetes could also experience yellow, reddish or brown patches on the skin, according to Diabetes.co.uk.
This discolouration is a phenomenon known as Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticoroum (NLD), which affects the shins and occurs gradually. The skin in this area can get thin and ulcerate.
When it heals, NLD can leave a brownish scar. The causes of NLD are unknown, but it affects more people with type 1 diabetes.
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Another skin issue caused by diabetes is known as Diabetic Dermopathy, also known as shin spots. The condition leaves round, raised lesions that can turn into ulcers.
Bullosis Diabeticorum are small-large nodules underneath the skin, similar to subcutaneous blisters. Again, the cause is unknown.
The NHS advises that you should see a GP if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes. These can include:
- feeling very thirsty
- peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
- feeling very tired
- weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- cuts or wounds that heal slowly
- blurred vision
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