Acanthosis Nigricans
What causes acanthosis nigricans?
Source: NHS
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Acanthosis nigricans sometimes occurs in people who are otherwise in good health, particularly dark-skinned people of African descent.
However, in most cases it's a sign of an underlying problem or condition such as obesity , diabetes or abnormal hormone levels.
Some of the main causes of acanthosis nigricans are
Obesity
Acanthosis nigricans is usually the result of obesity. This is known as obesity-associated acanthosis nigricans.
It occurs because obesity can cause insulin resistance (when the body is unable to properly use the hormone insulin), which may lead to high levels of insulin in the blood, affecting the skin cells.
Insulin resistance can also cause type 2 diabetes , so acanthosis nigricans can be an early sign that you have diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition.
Syndromes and hormone problems
Acanthosis nigricans is sometimes associated with an underlying syndrome or hormone problem, such as:
- polycystic ovary syndrome a condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work,which cancause excessive body hair , irregular periods , infertility , acne and weight gain
- Cushing's syndrome symptoms such as weight gain, bruising and stretch marks caused by very high levels of the hormone cortisol in the body
- acromegaly wherethe body produces too much growth hormone, leading to the excess growth of body tissues over time
- underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, causing symptoms such as tiredness and weight gain
This type of acanthosis nigricans is known as syndromic acanthosis nigricans.
Medication
Acanthosis nigricans is sometimes triggered by medicines, including insulin, corticosteroids , and hormone treatments such as human growth hormone or the contraceptive pill .
This is known as drug-induced or medication-associated acanthosis nigricans.
Genes
In rare cases, acanthosis nigricans can be caused by a faulty gene inherited directly from your parents. This is known as familial or benign genetic acanthosis nigricans.
This type is usually passed on in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means it can be passed on if only one of your parents carries the faulty gene.
Cancer
If the dark skin patches come on suddenly and spread quickly, it may be a sign you have cancer (usually stomach cancer ). This is known as malignant acanthosis nigricans.
This is a rare condition thattends to affectmiddle-aged or elderly people, regardless of their weight or ethnic background.
The patches are more severe and the mouth, tongue and lips may also be affected. The skin may also become irritated and itchy.
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How acanthosis nigricans is treated
Treatment for acanthosis nigricans aims to correct the underlying cause of your symptoms. This will usually cure theacanthosis nigricans or significantly improve the appearance of your skin. Treatments that may be recommended include: losing weight; taking medication to correct your hormone levels; switching to a different medication; surgery, chemotherapy , or radiotherapy for cancer.
Introduction
Acanthosis nigricans is the medical term for darkened, thickened patches of skin that usually develop in the armpit and around the groin and neck. It's not a condition in itself, but can be a sign of an underlying health problem. These underlying conditions aren't usually serious, although occasionally acanthosis nigricans can besign of Predictive genetic test for cancer risk genes .
Signs and Symptoms
Dark, velvety patches. If you have a canthosis nigricans, you'll have thickened, brownish-grey or black patches of skin. The patches will be dry and rough, feeling similar to velvet. They may also be itchy. You may also have lots of tiny finger-like growths from the patches. This is known as papillomatosis.
What causes acanthosis nigricans?
Acanthosis nigricans sometimes occurs in people who are otherwise in good health, particularly dark-skinned people of African descent. However, in most cases it's a sign of an underlying problem or condition such as obesity , diabetes or abnormal hormone levels. Some of the main causes of acanthosis nigricans are: Obesity, Syndromes and hormone problems, Medication, Genes, Cancer.
When to see a doctor if you have acanthosis nigricans?
Acanthosis nigricans is usually harmless, but as it can be a sign of something serious it's a good idea to see your doctor if you think you have it. They may suspect acanthosis nigricans just by looking at your skin. If the cause isn't clear, you may have blood tests to check your blood sugar or hormone levels, and you might need additional tests such asan endoscopy or X-ray .
