Acanthosis nigricans is a disease that effects the skin fold areas. These dark patches can be seen thicker (hyperkeratosis) and velvety that commonly appears in skin creases. It can be seen as an overgrowth of the epidermis. It can affect the neck, armpits, groin, and even the joints of the fingers and toes. This disorder can be a cause of some health problems like insulin resistance that is related to obesity. Young people can be affected by this disease easily because of the high obesity chances in early ages.
Causes of Acanthosis nigricans
There are many reasons of why it happens and some of them are discussed below:
1. Insulin Resistance and Diabetes
Acanthosis nigricans is sometimes associated with high blood sugar levels. It happens when the cells in body do not perform like the way they should do when exposed to insulin. It results in high levels of insulin in the blood and causes skin thickness and blackening. It is common in diabetes mellitus. High sugar level can be the reason of this disorder.
2. Obesity and Metabolic syndrome
Obesity is the one major cause of this disease and is risky for abnormal functioning of cells in response to insulin. Fats, specifically on belly can affect hormone levels and can be the reason of inflammation, characterized by insulin resistance. Metabolic disorders including high sugar level, excessive body fat on waist, and high cholesterol levels are some of the common issues in people having acanthosis nigricans.
3. Genetic Factors
Acanthosis nigricans can sometimes be inherited from the family and easily transferred to a child from parent. Genetic mutations can affect individuals to many disorders; such situations are less common than those occurred by metabolic issues.
4. Medications and Hormonal Imbalances
Some drugs can also originate acanthosis nigricans. These drugs include corticosteroids, hormone therapies and oral deterrents.
PCOS is a very common hormonal disorder which affects many women. It also plays its part in insulin resistance and eventually causes acanthosis nigricans.
Symptoms of Acanthosis Nigricans
Itching, skin thickness, bad smell, and other mentioned below, shows that you are affected by this particular disorder:
- Thick black skin
If you see any black thick area in skin folds which is velvety and also causes itching, it means you are affected by this disorder. These dark patches can range in brown to black layering on your skin.
- Texture
Due to the thickness of these dark patches or spots on your skin, it appears as velvety and enhanced when compared to the other skin.
- Lines and Folds
This disorder can be seen or observed in the folds of your skin like arm joints, neck, underarms, groin and sometimes on finger and toe joints as well.
Treatments:
Bioxsine Acnium Concentrated Spot Gel
Bioxsine Pure & White Dark Spot Gel
Cosmed Intensive Lightening Cream
Radiant Skin Brightening Cream
Gluvit-s Skin Brightening Cream
- Addressing underlying conditions
If you try to lose weight then it can resolve many issues of your body. It can also improve the insulin imbalance in the blood. One should have a proper diet and maintain consistent exercise in such conditions.
If this disorder is related to insulin resistance, then controlled sugar level with balanced diet and exercise can be helpful to prevent acanthosis nigricans. It can also prevent you from other skin problems.
Effective Creams for Treating Acanthosis Nigricans:
There are some useful creams that can treat dark skin folds areas caused by acanthosis nigricans.
- Exfoliating Cream:
Radiant skin cream is one of the best creams that can treat acanthosis nigricans. It has some of the powerful ingredients like arbutin, magnesium and ascorbyl phosphate that can help in effective exfoliation. Exfoliation can promote cell turnover and minimizes skin thickness caused by acanthosis nigricans.
This cream will help to treat dark areas and provides a lightened complexion by reducing pigmentation. Apply small amount of cream on particular areas two times a day.
- Hydrating Cream:
There is a cream that can help treat acanthosis nigricans. It is ultimate skin cream that is created by using fulvic acid, urea and placental protein. This cream hydrates the skin and leaves a soft, clear skin. Urea is also helpful in improving dark areas. Apply it to dry skin two time per day.
- Skin Brightening Cream:
Gluvit-S Brightening Cream can also be used to treat this disorder. It has some of the strong ingredients like zinc, niacinamide, glycerine and biosaccharide gum which are known for brightening the skin. This cream has the best brightening properties and it lightens the dark spots and reduces hyperpigmentation.
Use it two times per day, ideal to use at night.
Diet Tips:
There are some tips that can be followed to treat Acanthosis Nigricans:
- Balanced Diet
Your diet should include fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and whole grains that can manage the illnesses such as excess fat, insulin impairment that leads to acanthosis nigricans. The diet should not contain unhealthy food items.
- Limit Sugar
You should be careful about the amount of sugar in your food. In is better to avoid sugar completely which can contribute to high insulin resistance and worsen the undergoing condition.
- Hydration
Water is an all-in-one solution for many skins related problems. You should drink plenty of water to keep it healthy.
Exercise and Physical activities:
- Regular exercises like walking and jogging or may be cycling can reduce the body fat. It is recommended to complete 1 hour of walk daily.
- Do resistance workout using your own body weight can help in burning the excess muscle mass and encourage insulin sensitivity.
- Stretching exercises like yoga and tai chi can also help in enhancing flexibility.
Tidbits about Acanthosis Nigricans:
- Some people link acanthosis nigricans with a kind of cancer, especially in elderly persons.
- There is a similar disease called dermatosis which has the ability to affect dogs and cats as well. It means disease like acanthosis nigricans can also affect animals.
- ‘Nigricans’ is the word in Latin and it means ‘Niger’ meaning black. In acanthosis nigricans, there is blackening and darkening which is often connected to Pakistani community, mostly having dark skin tones.
Myths about Acanthosis Nigricans:
1. It is highly infectious.
2. It is affects only those who have improper hygiene and heavy sweating.
3. It has no cure or treatment.
4. Only fat people are the target of acanthosis nigricans.
5. Only cosmetic products can cure acanthosis nigricans.
Conclusion:
There is a need to create awareness of acanthosis nigricans because many don’t take this thickening or darkening serious. They think it is a part of their dark complexion. But that’s not the case. This condition can also worsen and cause serious damage. It can be effectively treated by using medicines or creams prescribed by your doctors. Moreover, improved diet, lifestyle and proper exercise along with cleansing are some of the ways that prevents acanthosis nigricans.
