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Suggest Treatment For Dark Skin Pigmentation On Neck
Question: what can cause this skin darkening at the back of the night and side of the neck ?
Brief Answer:
Acanthosis nigricans; tretinoin 0.05% cream once daily at night
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the images.
The condition that you have on neck is known as acanthosis nigricans. Acanthosis Nigricans is a skin condition in which there is darker, thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases. The skin becomes dark, velvety and thick in areas such as back and sides of neck, armpits, thighs, elbows and knees.
Acanthosis nigricans usually appears slowly and doesn't cause any symptoms.
The condition is commonly associated with obesity OR endocrinopathies, such as hypothyroidism, acromegaly, polycystic ovary disease, insulin-resistant diabetes, or Cushing's disease. A large majority of cases are idiopathic.
Acanthosis nigricans is likely to improve in circumstances where a known cause is removed. For example, obesity-related acanthosis nigricans will improve with weight loss. People with acanthosis nigricans in general should be screened for diabetes. Weight loss and controlling blood glucose levels through exercise and diet often improves appearance.
Topical tretinoin 0.05% cream once daily at night helps to lighten pigmentation along with weight loss, exercise and diet management.
Alpha-Lipoic acid has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and thereby reverses the acanthosis nigricans which arises as a result of insulin resistance states e.g Obesity and diabetes. It is commercially available for prescription in acanthosis nigricans.
regards
Acanthosis nigricans; tretinoin 0.05% cream once daily at night
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the images.
The condition that you have on neck is known as acanthosis nigricans. Acanthosis Nigricans is a skin condition in which there is darker, thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases. The skin becomes dark, velvety and thick in areas such as back and sides of neck, armpits, thighs, elbows and knees.
Acanthosis nigricans usually appears slowly and doesn't cause any symptoms.
The condition is commonly associated with obesity OR endocrinopathies, such as hypothyroidism, acromegaly, polycystic ovary disease, insulin-resistant diabetes, or Cushing's disease. A large majority of cases are idiopathic.
Acanthosis nigricans is likely to improve in circumstances where a known cause is removed. For example, obesity-related acanthosis nigricans will improve with weight loss. People with acanthosis nigricans in general should be screened for diabetes. Weight loss and controlling blood glucose levels through exercise and diet often improves appearance.
Topical tretinoin 0.05% cream once daily at night helps to lighten pigmentation along with weight loss, exercise and diet management.
Alpha-Lipoic acid has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and thereby reverses the acanthosis nigricans which arises as a result of insulin resistance states e.g Obesity and diabetes. It is commercially available for prescription in acanthosis nigricans.
regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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