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Acanthosis nigricans - Acanthosis nigricans symptom, treatment, causes

Acanthosis nigricans usually appears slowly and doesn't cause any symptoms other than skin changes. Acanthosis nigricans may begin at any age and its causes are still unknown. This is most often associated with being overweight. Sometimes acanthosis nigricans is congenital or due to an endocrine (glandular) disorder. Acanthosis nigricans is most often associated with being overweight. Eventually, dark, velvety skin with very visible markings and creases appears in the armpits, groin, and neck. Sometimes, the lips, palms, soles of feet, or other areas may be affected.

Acanthosis nigricans is a disorder that may begin at any age. It causes velvety, light-brown-to-black, markings usually on the neck, under the arms or in the groin. Acanthosis nigricans is most often associated with being overweight. Hyperinsulinemia, a consequence of insulin resistance that occurs associated with obesity, stimulates the formation of these characteristic plaques. It is a poorly defined, velvety hyperpigmentation of the skin, usually present in the posterior and lateral folds of the neck, the axilla, groin, umbilicus, and other areas. The most common malignancy associated with malignant acanthosis nigricans is abdominal adenocarcinoma, especially of the stomach. this is very rare. Benign types, sometimes described as 'pseudoacanthosis nigricans' are much more common. Alpha is structurally similar to epidermal growth factor and is a likely candidate. Exogenous medications also have been implicated as etiologic factors.

Acanthosis nigricans is traditionally characterized by hyperpigmented, velvety plaques in body folds, though involvement of other areas occurs as well. Acanthosis nigricans is not a skin disease per se but a cutaneous sign of an underlying condition or disease. As a result, there may be a gradual onset of certain symptoms, including excessive urination (polyuria) and increased thirst (polydipsia), and the development of particular complications without appropriate treatment. Acanthosis nigricans is mainly a cosmetic concern. There's no specific treatment but treating any underlying conditions may cause the skin changes to fade. The condition can also at times occur under the arms and in the groin.

Treatment of Acanthosis nigricans

The main aim of treatment lies in terminating the underlying disease process. Treatment of the lesions of acanthosis nigricans is for cosmetic reasons only. There is no cure for acanthosis nigricans. Overweight individuals usually have improvement if they lose weight. In those who have a tumor or a gland disorder, correction of the underlying problem will often cure the acanthosis nigricans. Because acanthosis nigricans itself usually only causes changes to the appearance of the skin, no particular treatment is needed. It is important, however, to attempt to treat any underlying medical problem that may be causing these skin changes. Some treatments of acanthosis nigricans include the following:

• When acanthosis nigricans develops a medical work-up should be done to determine whether or not the patient has a gland (endocrine) disorder or a tumor.
• Treatment to just improve the appearance includes Retin-A, 20% urea, alpha hydroxyacids, and salicylic acid prescriptions.

Symptoms of Acanthosis nigricans

Here are the list of some of the common symptoms of Acanthosis nigricans :

• Acanthosis nigricans generally appears slowly, sometimes over months or years causing no symptoms except skin changes.
• Acanthosis nigricans can affect otherwise healthy people, or it can be associated with medical problems. Some cases are genetically inherited. It is most common among people of African descent.
• The dark patches becomes rough.
• The affected areas rarely produces a itching.
• Painless area of darkened, slightly raised skin.

Causes of Acanthosis nigricans

Here are the list of some of the common causes of Acanthosis nigricans :

• Obesity can lead to acanthosis nigricans, as can many endocrine disorders. It is frequently found in people with diabetes.
• It is frequently found in people with diabetes.
• Hormones: The human growth hormone or oral contraceptives can also cause the disease.
• Cancer:People with cancers of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts or with lymphoma are more prone to affected by the disease.
• Acanthosis Nigricans rarely associated with an endocrine disorder or a tumor.
• People with cancers of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts or with lymphoma can also develop severe cases of this acanthosis nigricans.