Obesity has been rising, and now more kids and teens are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. One such case is 14-year-old Pantera, who experienced unusual symptoms: constant thirst, headaches, mood swings, and a dark ring around her neck.

This ring wasn’t just a skin issue—it was *acanthosis nigricans*, a condition where “receptors in the skin folds respond by making extra pigment,” said Dr. Alyne Ricker from the Joslin Diabetes Center. It’s often triggered by high insulin levels, which is common in early type 2 diabetes.

These dark, velvety patches can appear not only on the neck but also under the arms, between thighs, around fingers and toes, and on elbows or knees.

“If you see this ring,” Dr. Ricker warns, “there’s a really good chance that your insulin isn’t working optimally.” Poor insulin function means the body struggles to manage blood sugar, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Early signs like this ring—especially when combined with thirst or fatigue—can be your body’s way of saying something’s wrong. Catching it early can lead to better health outcomes for children like Pantera.