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| Acanthosis nigricans by Pharmacytimess |
Acanthosis
nigricans
Overview
Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that
causes areas of dark, thick velvety skin in body folds and creases. It
typically affects the armpits, groin and neck.
Acanthosis nigricans (ak-an-THOE-sis
NIE-grih-kuns) tends to affect people with obesity. Rarely, the skin condition
can be a sign of cancer in an internal organ, such as the stomach or liver.
Treating the cause of acanthosis nigricans
might restore the usual color and texture of the skin.
Symptoms
The main sign of acanthosis nigricans is dark,
thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases. It often appears in the armpits,
groin and back of the neck. It develops slowly. The affected skin might be
itchy, have an odor and develop skin tags.
When to see a doctor
Consult your health care provider if you
notice changes in your skin — especially if the changes are sudden. You may
have an underlying condition that needs treatment.
Causes
Acanthosis nigricans might be related to:
·
Insulin
resistance. Most people who
have acanthosis nigricans have also become resistant to insulin. Insulin is a
hormone secreted by the pancreas that allows the body to process sugar. Insulin
resistance is what leads to type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is also related
to polycystic ovarian syndrome and might be a factor in why acanthosis
nigricans develops.
·
Certain
drugs and supplements. High-dose
niacin, birth control pills, prednisone and other corticosteroids may cause
acanthosis nigricans.
·
Cancer. Some types of cancer cause acanthosis
nigricans. These include lymphoma and cancers of the stomach, colon and liver.
Risk factors
The risk of acanthosis nigricans is higher in
people who have obesity. The risk is also higher in people with a family
history of the condition, especially in families where obesity and type 2
diabetes are also common.
Complications
People who have acanthosis nigricans are much
more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Diagnosis
Acanthosis nigricans can be detected during a
skin exam. To be sure of the diagnosis, your health care provider might take a
skin sample (biopsy) to look at under a microscope. Or you may need other tests
to find out what's causing your symptoms.
Treatment
There's no specific treatment for acanthosis
nigricans. Your care provider might suggest treatments to help with pain and
odor, such as skin creams, special soaps, medications and laser therapy.
Treating the underlying cause might help.
Examples include:
·
Lose
weight. If your
acanthosis nigricans is caused by obesity, nutritional counseling and losing weight
may help.
·
Stop
medications. If your
condition seems to be related to a medication or supplement that you use, your
care provider may suggest that you stop using that substance.
·
Have
surgery. If acanthosis
nigricans was triggered by a cancerous tumor, surgery to remove the tumor often
clears up the skin symptoms.
Preparing for your
appointment
You're likely to start by seeing your primary
care provider. Or you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in skin
disorders (dermatologist) or hormone problems (endocrinologist). Because
appointments can be brief and there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea
to prepare for your appointment.
What you can do
Before your appointment, you may want to list
answers to the following questions:
·
Has anyone in your
family ever had these skin symptoms?
·
Does diabetes run in
your family?
·
Have you ever had
problems with your ovaries, adrenal glands or thyroid?
·
What medications and
supplements do you take on a regular basis?
·
Have you ever had to
take high doses of prednisone for more than a week?
What to expect from
your doctor
Your health care provider is likely to ask you
questions, such as the following:
·
When did your symptoms
begin?
·
Have they gotten
worse?
·
What areas of your
body are affected?
· Have you ever had cancer?
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