Acanthosis nigricans

11 Mar

Acanthosis nigricans can be seen with its dark, thickened, hyper-pigmented and velvety patches that typically develop in skin folds and creases (neck, armpits, groin). This has been cited to be due to excessive levels of insulin building in the body. While it is not harmful or contagious, it can be a sign of health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and hormonal imbalances caused by Polycystic Ovarian syndrome.

Peripheral arterial disease
Venous insufficiency
Vasculitis [1]
No known causes linked to infections
Gastric adenocarcinoma
Malignant melanoma
Wilms tumour [2]
Subcutaneous insulin
Oral contraceptives
Oral corticosteroids [1]
Some chemotherapy drugs have been associated with skin changes, including the development of acanthosis nigricans.
Gastric bypass surgery might lead to the onset or worsening of acanthosis nigricans [3]
Hereditary benign acanthosis nigricans
Naevoid acanthosis nigricans [1]
Insulin resistance
Diabetes [1]
(Not traumatic but genetic and environmental) Obesity [4]
Metabolic syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Generalised lipodystrophy [1]