Acanthosis Nigricans
What Is Acanthosis Nigricans?
Acanthosis nigrican (AN), a skin condition, exists in two variations: a benign form and a malignant form. People with Type 2 Diabetes often develop the benign (non-cancerous) form of AN.
What Causes Acanthosis Nigricans?
The cause for acanthosis nigricans is still not clearly defined, but it appears to be related to insulin resistance. Frequently found in people with diabetes, AN can occur as a result of obesity. Obesity associated acanthosis is the most common type. Often, when the patient loses weight, the AN disappears.
Another cause points to hyperinsulenemia, a consequence of insulin resistance, which can come from eating too many carbohydrates. Hyperinsulenemia causes an elevated fasting blood insulin level, which leads to turning on insulin receptors in the epidermis, or skin, and causes the skin cells to grow more quickly and a bit abnormally.
Some causes of AN not associated with diabetes include Cushing syndrome; a pituitary gland hormonal disorder called acromegaly; and gastric cancer. In some people, particular drugs or even family genetics can cause AN.
What Are the Symptoms of Acanthosis Nigricans?
When acanthosis nigricans begins, you might notice a piece of skin that looks like a tan or brown wart with a very soft, velvety feel to it. Often, it can appear on the neck, under the breast, in the groin area, in an armpit, or even on top of the knuckles.
How Can You Treat Acanthosis Nigricans?
The primary goal in treating AN is to treat the underlying disease which led to the skin lesions (obesity, insulin resistance, etc.) Although no cure exists for AN, you might find that the condition disappears when you lose weight.
If cosmetic aspects of the condition bother you, dermabrasion (sort of a surgical sanding of the skin to smooth it out) or laser therapy might help.
In some instances, your doctor might also recommend medication, called keratolytic agents, to put on the AN spots to help shed some of the skin. You should not use this medication without your doctor's recommendation.
How Can You Prevent Acanthosis Nigricans?
Maintaining a healthy weight might prevent acanthosis nigricans.
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Thursday
November 20, 2008
Tip of the Day
Regular exercise increases the number of insulin receptor sites on cells, making the body more sensitive to insulin.
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