High insulin levels, often associated with conditions like diabetes, can significantly impact the skin. One notable effect is skin thickening.
Skin Changes due to High Insulin:
- Thickening: The skin in certain areas can become noticeably thicker.
- Texture Changes: The affected skin may appear waxy or edematous (swollen).
- Location: While any area can be affected, the hands and feet are the most commonly involved.
- Symptom Variability: Individuals experiencing these changes are often asymptomatic, although some may experience reduced sensation or pain in the affected areas.
- Diabetes Connection: These changes are frequently observed in patients with diabetes, highlighting the strong link between high insulin levels and these skin manifestations.
These changes are typically not due to a direct reaction to the insulin itself, but rather as a result of underlying metabolic and cellular changes caused by the consistently elevated insulin levels, as mentioned in the reference provided.