Acanthosis Nigricans: symptoms, causes and treatment

Acanthosis nigricans (acanthosis nigricans) is a skin disorder that causes one or more parts of the skin to become darker, thicker, and has a velvety texture. This condition is often found in people who have insulin resistance related to obesity, which is also the main cause of type 2 diabetes.

What is nigrican acanthosis?

As already mentioned, acanthosis nigricans causes the sufferer's skin to experience thickening, especially in the folds of the body. This condition is not a dangerous skin disorder, nor is it contagious. However, this could be a sign of a serious health problem that requires medical treatment.

Acanthosis Nigricans is a feature of prediabetes, which is a condition when high blood sugar levels exceed normal limits but have not yet been classified as diabetes mellitus.

Immunity of the body's cells to the insulin hormone (insulin resistance) due to fat accumulation is what causes prediabetes. However, prediabetes puts a person at a high risk of developing diabetes.

Studies in journals Diabetelogy & Metabolic Syndrome also mentioned that acanthosis nigricans are often found in people with type 2 diabetes of all ages, sexes, and races.

Apart from being a marker of high blood sugar levels, this skin disorder can also be experienced by people who are obese or overweight. Although rare, this condition can also be a warning sign of the appearance of tumors or cancer cells in internal organs, such as the stomach or liver.

What are the signs and symptoms that appear?

Skin changes are the only sign of nigrican acanthosis, particularly in body folds such as the armpits, groin, knuckles, elbows, knees, and neck. You will see the skin become:

• Darkens and changes color to brown or blackish.
• Thickened skin surface.
• The skin has a rough or velvety texture.
• The skin feels itchy or sometimes smells bad.

Although rare, this symptom can also appear on the breasts, mouth, folds of the eyes, palms of the hands, and under the feet. Skin changes will usually appear slowly, can develop over months to years.

It is quite difficult to distinguish this condition from other skin disorders that both cause the skin folds to darken and thicken.

To be sure, you need to consult a dermatologist or do a blood sugar check. If it turns out to be high, immediately get tested for diabetes.

In addition, consult your doctor if you notice changes in the skin and show symptoms like the above, especially if the changes appear suddenly.

Causes of acanthosis nigricans

Acanthosis Nigricans is most often found in people who are obese. However, healthy people can also experience this skin problem because their families have similar skin problems.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, several risk factors that cause a person to experience nigrican acanthosis, include:

• Insulin resistance
• Hormonal disorders, due to problems with ovarian cysts, thyroid gland, or adrenal glands
• Certain drugs or supplements
• Cancer

How do doctors diagnose this condition?

Doctors require certain skin examinations to diagnose acanthosis nigricans. You may have to have a skin biopsy, where a small sample of skin is taken for examination in a laboratory.

Your doctor may also recommend blood tests, X-rays, or other types of medical examinations to look for possible underlying causes for this skin disorder.

Treatment of acanthosis nigricans

There is no specific treatment available to treat this skin problem. Treatment usually aims to treat the disease or condition that is the cause of acanthosis nigricans.

Certain treatments may be able to restore the color and texture of the affected skin area. This is natural to do considering the acanthosis nigricans can make a person feel insecure.

There are several things you can do to restore blackened and thickened skin caused by acanthosis nigricans, namely:

1. Lose weight

If acanthosis nigricans are caused by obesity, losing weight and having a healthy and balanced diet can help restore skin and prevent diabetes mellitus.

2. Stopping the consumption of drugs or supplements

If this skin disorder is related to the consumption of drugs or supplements that you are taking, your doctor will recommend that you stop using these drugs and supplements.

3. Underwent surgery

If this skin disorder is triggered by a tumor or cancer, removal of the tumor or cancer tissue can be done as well as a procedure to restore the skin color to normal.

4. Laser therapy

The thickening of the skin can be gradually relieved by laser therapy. Laser therapy is a medical skin care procedure that must be performed by a dermatologist directly.

5. Retinoid topical medication

The doctor can prescribe topical medications such as retinoid ointment to restore skin condition damaged by acanthosis nigricans. Other medicines your doctor may give you are antibiotics if inflammation is indeed accompanied by a bacterial infection and salicylic acid.

6. Diabetes treatment

If this condition is caused by diabetes, your doctor may advise you to undergo diabetes treatment, either through healthy lifestyle changes to balance blood sugar levels or taking medication.

Both of these therapies can be done at the same time when the skin disorder is more severe, causing complications of diabetes.

Acanthosis Nigricans is not a dangerous skin problem that can be contagious. However, this can be a "signal" of another, more serious condition that you are experiencing. That is why it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of this skin disorder.

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