Acanthosis Nigricans - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition

Acanthosis Nigricans is a black brown velvety skin condition on the back of the neck. this problem is common in those people whose body is not responding correctly to insulin that they make in their pancreas. this problem is also seen in people who have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. The condition is complex. It can occur with endocrine diseases such as Cushing disease, tumors of the pituitary, and diabetes mellitus. Acanthosis nigricans also occurs with underlying malignancies (especially carcinomas of the vicera), administration of certain drugs, and as a genetic disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that signals high insulin levels in the body. Insulin is important because it helps carry glucose or sugar to the cells in your body. High insulin level indicate that the body is resisting the insulin that is being produced.

Causes

1. Obesity: obesity can lead to acanthosis nigricans, as can many endocrine disorders.
2. Heredity: Heredity benign acanthosis nigricans such as AN inherited as an autosomal dominant trait or Lesions may manifest at any age, infancy, childhood or adulthood.
3. Drugs: Some drugs especially harmones such as human growth hormones or oral contraceptives can also cause acanthosis nigricans.
4. Acanthosis nigricans can also be caused to people with lymphoma or cancers of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts.
5. Cancer: Acanthosis nigricans is associated with certain types of cancer but chances are rare.

Symptoms

1. Acanthosis nigricans usually appears slowly and it does not have any symptoms other than skin changes.
2. In acanthosis nigricans rough areas or increased skin markings usually on the back and sides of the neck are appeared.
3. In acanthosis You'll notice dark, thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases on the armpits, groin and neck. Sometimes the lips, palms or soles of the feet are affected as well.
4. The patient may also have the problem of abnormally increased coloration and "velvety" thickening (hyperkeratosis) of the skin.

Treatment

1. Acanthosis nigricans can be treated by correcting hyprinsulinaemia through diet and medication.
2. If the patient is obese then lose weight can be the appropriate way of treating it.
3. Exercise and treatment underlying tumors may also be beneficial in this problem.
4. Sometimes oral medications such as etretinate or isotretinoin (Accutane, others) are helpful.
5. Ovarian drilling can be performed at the time of laparoscopy. A laser fibre or electrosurgical needle is used to puncture the ovary 10-12 times. This treatment results in a dramatic lowering of male hormones within days. Studies have shown that up to 80% will benefit from such treatment.
6. Acanthosis nigricans can also be treated by antibiotic ointments or creams.
7. Retinoids taken orally or used in a cream can also be useful.
8. Topical corticosteroid creams can also be used.