In life, careful people may find that they will always see that the skin color on the back of some people's necks is black, and people who don't think much may think that this person doesn't like to be clean, and he hasn't taken a bath for a long time, and the black on his neck can't be washed even if soap and bath towels go hand in hand. The neck is still as black as ever, and the skin is thickened and there are velvety lesions. Then it is most likely acanthosis nigricans.
What is acanthosis nigricans?
Acanthosis nigricans is a hyperkeratinized lesion of the skin, symmetrical velvety thickening, hyperpigmentation and even wart-like protrusions, mainly affecting the axillae, back of the neck, flexor surface of the skin, groin and periumbilicus, etc., and rarely involving the mucosal surface.
Clinical presentation
1. Skin lesions are more likely to occur on the neck, armpits, external genitalia, groin, perianal area, umbilical fossa, areola and face.
2. The main damage is gray-brown or black skin in the affected area, thickened, rough and wart-like and small papillae, which are velvety to the touch. The clinical cause varies depending on the etiology.
3. Malignant type of middle-aged and elderly people, severe skin lesions, dark, extensive, palmoplantar keratosis, emaciation, often accompanied by visceral malignant tumors.
4. Benign type
(1) True benign acanthosis nigricans is related to genetics, with juvenile onset, mild and limited skin lesions, and can be relieved after puberty;
(2) Pseudoacanthosis nigricans is mostly accompanied by obesity, and the skin lesions are limited to the folds, and the skin lesions can resolve after the weight returns to normal.
In addition, some syndromes and corticosteroids can also occur, but the skin lesions are mild and resolve when the drug is stopped.
5. Histopathological evidence showed hyperkeratosis of the epidermis, papillomatous hyperplasia, and increased base pigment.
pathogen
Obesity: This is the most common cause of acanthosis nigricans, which causes obesity due to weight gain.
Medications: The use of drugs can also affect the secretion or normal action of insulin, resulting in conditions similar to insulin resistance, so consult a professional physician or pharmacist.
Commonly occurring drugs: contraceptives, human growth hormone, corticosteroid drugs, thyroid therapy-related drugs, etc.
Tumors, endocrine diseases: hormonal abnormalities can also cause abnormal growth of skin cells, resulting in acanthosis nigricans, which often occurs in polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism, adrenal gland dysfunction and other diseases.
Genetic factors: There are some genetic disorders that can cause acanthosis nigricans from an early age.
How is it treated?
If it is caused by a malignant tumor, the tumour is removed and chemotherapy and radiotherapy is performed. If it is hereditary black thorn disease, it usually resolves by the time of puberty. If it is caused by obesity symptoms, it is necessary to correct obesity and reduce weight, as long as the weight is reasonably controlled, black thorn disease can slowly subside.
In addition, for drug-induced black thorn disease, it generally resolves spontaneously after stopping the use of the drug.
Salicylic acid ointment, tretinoin cream, or fractional laser can be used in the hospital.
Acanthosis nigricans is not terrible, and it can be improved with timely medical attention and treatment.