Acanthosis Nigricans Thick Skin Discoloration Causes, Acanthosis Nigricans Treatment
Acanthosis nigricans is not a skin disease, but usually a symptom of a lurking health issue. However, it can affect otherwise healthy folks when inherited.
Acanthosis nigricans features hyperpigmentation skin discoloration and hyperkeratosis skin thickening, with a velvety feel. This skin condition most often arises in your folds and creases, like armpits, groin and around the neck.
Although, acanthosis nigricans slow progressing skin discoloration may appear around your lips, under breasts, on palms, soles of feet or other areas. And skin tags or itchy skin may occur in concert.
Acanthosis nigricans can be caused by your genes. Yet it’s very often associated with too much insulin running around your system, as seen with type 2 diabetes or being overweight.
Other health related circumstances associated causes for acanthosis nigricans include:
- certain medications ~ HGH, oral contraceptives,niacin, corticosteroids
- cancer ~ lymphoma, gastric, uterus; less commonly lung, prostate, breast, ovary
- autoimmune disease ~ lupus, scleroderma, Sjögren syndrome,Hashimoto thyroiditis
- endocrine disorder ~ hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, PCOS, Cushing’s disease
Treating your fundamental condition may cause thick skin discoloration to fade. This skin health appearance problem may be arrested by simply losing weight, getting your diabetes under control or making some dietary changes to prevent hyperinsulinemia.
Other treatments that have been shown to lighten thick skin discoloration involve:
- dietary fish oil
- vitamin A ~ tretinoin
- etretinate, isotretinoin, metformin
- dermabrasion, laser therapy ~ reduces thickness
If you experience adult onset of acanthosis nigricans, an ASAP trip to your health care provider is imperative to eliminate cancer causation. Don’t agonize over the Big “C” until your appointment because most cases are insulin resistance cause associated.
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