What are diabetic shin spots? Diabetic shin spots are round or oval patches, usually light brown or reddish brown, that form on the front of the lower legs. The medical name is diabetic dermopathy. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says they are common in people with diabetes and are harmless. But AAD says anyone who gets them and has not been diagnosed with diabetes should be tested, and anyone who has diabetes should tell their doctor about them.
Key takeaways
- AAD says shin spots are common in people with diabetes. They are round or oval, brown or reddish brown, and often form on the shins.
- The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says the patches do not hurt, open up, or itch, and are harmless.
- AAD says some people with diabetes and shin spots have a higher risk of complications such as nerve damage (neuropathy).
- AAD says the spots often start to fade after diabetes is well managed, usually within 18 to 24 months, but they can also stay.
- If you have not been diagnosed with diabetes, AAD says you should be tested if you get these spots.
What Do Diabetic Shin Spots Look Like?
AAD and ADA describe the spots this way:
- Shape: Round or oval
- Color: Light brown or reddish brown
- Feel: Scaly at first. AAD says they flatten out over time and can leave small dents in the skin.
- Symptoms: None. ADA says they do not hurt, open up, or itch.
- Location: Most often on the front of both legs. ADA says both legs may not be affected to the same degree.
DermNet, a dermatology reference written by skin doctors, says the spots can less often form on the front of the thighs, the forearms, the side of the foot, the scalp, or the trunk. AAD says some people also call this condition "spotted leg syndrome."
What Causes Diabetic Shin Spots?
The exact cause is not known. Here is what the sources say:
- Small blood vessel changes. ADA says diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels, and those changes can cause diabetic dermopathy.
- A link to other complications. DermNet says studies have found shin spots more often in people with diabetes who also have eye damage (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), or kidney damage (nephropathy).
- Longer diabetes and higher A1C. DermNet says the spots tend to occur in older people or in people who have had diabetes for at least 10 to 20 years. DermNet also says they appear closely linked to higher A1C (glycosylated hemoglobin), a measure of average blood sugar.
- Minor injury. Because the spots often form over bony areas like the shins, DermNet says they may be an exaggerated response to small injuries. DermNet notes that studies have seen shin spots appear after injury from heat, cold, or blunt objects in people with diabetes.
DermNet says diabetic dermopathy has been found in up to 30% of people with diabetes. The spots can appear in people without diabetes too, especially after an injury to the area.
Are Diabetic Shin Spots a Sign of Diabetes?
They can be. AAD says anyone who develops shin spots and has not been diagnosed with diabetes should be tested. DermNet says having four or more spots is almost always limited to people with diabetes.
One or two brown spots on the legs can have many other causes, such as an old bruise or a sun spot. A doctor can tell the difference. Our guide to when adults should be screened for type 2 diabetes explains the tests, and our guide to what A1C level is considered diabetic explains the numbers.
Why Shin Spots Matter if You Already Have Diabetes
The spots themselves are harmless. ADA says they do not need treatment. But AAD says some people who have diabetes and shin spots have a higher risk of complications from diabetes, like neuropathy. Neuropathy is nerve damage that can lead to weakness, numbness, and pain.
That makes shin spots a good reason to keep up with your regular checks. Ask your care team whether you are due for:
- A foot exam, including a check for feeling. See the first signs of diabetic neuropathy.
- A dilated eye exam
- Kidney tests
Our list of diabetes tests you may need each year can help you plan.
Shin Spots vs. Age Spots vs. Necrobiosis Lipoidica
AAD says many people mistake shin spots for age spots, because the spots are brown and cause no itch or pain. Another diabetes skin condition, necrobiosis lipoidica, also forms on the shins but looks and acts differently.
| Question | Diabetic shin spots | Age spots | Necrobiosis lipoidica |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Front of both shins | Sun-exposed skin, like hands and face | Shins |
| Look | Round or oval, light brown or reddish brown; scaly, then flat with small dents | Flat brown spots | Patches that may be yellow, reddish, brown, or purplish with thin, waxy centers |
| Size and number | Small; often several | Varies | ADA says fewer, larger, and deeper than shin spots |
| Itch or pain | No (ADA) | No | Sometimes itchy and painful (ADA) |
| Can break open? | No (ADA) | No | Sometimes (ADA) |
| What to do | Tell your doctor; get tested if not diagnosed (AAD) | Mention at a skin check | See a dermatologist (AAD) |
ADA says necrobiosis lipoidica is rare and most common in adult women. ADA says you need treatment if those sores break open. Our hub guide covers these and other changes in how diabetes affects your skin.
Do Diabetic Shin Spots Go Away?
Often, but not always. AAD says the spots often start to fade after diabetes is well managed, usually within 18 to 24 months. AAD also says they can stay on the skin indefinitely. DermNet says they tend to go away after a few years, especially after blood sugar improves.
There is no special treatment. ADA says dermopathy is harmless and does not need treatment. AAD's advice is to tell your doctor about the spots and, if your diabetes is not well managed, to work with your doctor on it.
How to Look After the Skin on Your Shins
The shins have little padding, and DermNet says small injuries there may play a role in shin spots. These general skin-care steps from ADA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can help protect your lower legs:
- Moisturize dry skin, especially in cold or windy weather (ADA).
- Avoid very hot baths and showers (ADA).
- Wash minor cuts with soap and water, and see a doctor right away for a major cut, burn, or infection (ADA).
- Check your legs and feet every day for cuts, sores, blisters, or other skin changes (CDC).
- Protect your legs from bumps, and avoid heating pads or very hot water on skin that has less feeling.
See our full diabetic skin care routine for more.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Same day: Contact your care team the same day if a spot on your leg opens, drains, becomes red, hot, swollen, or painful, or if you find an open sore on your leg or foot.
Prompt appointment: Book a visit if you notice new brown spots on your shins and have not been tested for diabetes. AAD says you should be tested. Also book a visit for patches that are yellow, purplish, or waxy, or that grow, since those need a dermatologist, according to AAD.
Next routine visit: If you have diabetes and already know you have shin spots, mention them at your next visit and ask about foot, eye, and kidney checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do diabetic shin spots look like?
AAD says diabetic shin spots are round or oval spots, brown or reddish brown, that often develop on the shins. They may feel scaly at first, then flatten and leave small dents. ADA says the patches do not hurt, open up, or itch, so many people mistake them for age spots.
Are diabetic shin spots dangerous?
No. ADA says diabetic dermopathy is harmless and does not need treatment. But AAD says some people with diabetes and shin spots have a higher risk of complications such as neuropathy. Tell your doctor about the spots and keep up with foot, eye, and kidney checks.
Can you get diabetic shin spots without diabetes?
DermNet says the spots may appear in anyone, especially after an injury to the area. DermNet also says having four or more spots is almost always limited to people with diabetes. AAD says anyone who develops shin spots and has not been diagnosed with diabetes should be tested.
Do diabetic shin spots go away?
Often. AAD says the spots often start to fade after diabetes is well managed, usually within 18 to 24 months, but they can also stay on the skin indefinitely. DermNet says they tend to go away after a few years. There is no special treatment for them.
What causes brown spots on the shins with diabetes?
ADA says diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels that lead to diabetic dermopathy. DermNet says the spots are more common in people with eye, nerve, or kidney complications and in people with higher A1C, and may be an exaggerated response to minor injury.
What is the difference between shin spots and necrobiosis lipoidica?
ADA says necrobiosis lipoidica causes spots similar to shin spots, but they are fewer, larger, and deeper. They can look like a shiny scar with a violet border, are sometimes itchy and painful, and can crack open. AAD advises seeing a dermatologist for necrobiosis lipoidica.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. “Diabetes: 10 warning signs that can appear on your skin.” Accessed October 2026.
- American Diabetes Association. “Diabetes and Skin Complications.” Accessed October 2026.
- Oakley A, Elghblawi E. “Skin problems associated with diabetes mellitus.” DermNet. August 2019. Accessed October 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Your Feet and Diabetes.” Accessed October 2026.
Next Steps
If you see brown spots on your shins, take a photo so you can track changes, and mention them to your doctor. If you have never been tested for diabetes, ask about testing at the same visit.
For adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes who want lifestyle education alongside clinical care, the Done With Diabetes™ program focuses on lifestyle changes for type 2 diabetes, organizing learning about meals, movement, sleep, and stress. It does not diagnose or treat skin conditions or diabetes, interpret glucose or A1C results, change medicines, or replace your care team.