Acanthosis Nigricans Symptoms, Causes & More

By bethan

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Miller, Jason H. 'Acanthosis nigricans: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology.' Medscape, 18 May 2021, emedicine.medscape.com/article/1102488-overview
• 2. Mayo Clinic. 'Acanthosis nigricans - Symptoms and Causes.' Mayo Clinic, 9 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acanthosis-nigricans/symptoms-causes/syc-20368983
• 3. Kids Health. 'Acanthosis nigricans (for Parents) - Advocate Health Care.' Kids Health, 2021, kidshealth.org/Advocate/en/parents/acanthosis.html
• 4. Mayo Clinic. 'Acanthosis nigricans - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic.' Mayo Clinic, 9 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acanthosis-nigricans/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20368987
• 5. DermNext. 'Acanthosis nigricans.' DermNet, 2021, dermnetnz.org/topics/acanthosis-nigricans
• 6. The American Academy of Dermatology Association. 'Acanthosis nigricans: Diagnosis and Treatment.' The American Academy of Dermatology Association, 2021, www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/acanthosis-nigricans-treatment
• 7. Phiske, MeghanaMadhukar. 'An Approach to Acanthosis nigricans.' Indian Dermatology Online Journal, vol. 5, no. 3, 2014, p. 239. Crossref, doi:10.4103/2229-5178.137765
• 8. 'Symptoms.' Nhs.Uk, 9 Dec. 2019, www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/symptoms

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Acanthosis nigricans is a relatively common skin pigment disorder, and it's estimated that 7.1 percent of people in the U.S. have acanthosis nigricans.¹Miller, Jason H. ‘Acanthosis nigricans: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology.’ Medscape, 18 May 2021, emedicine.medscape.com/article/1102488-overview The condition causes people to experience darker and velvety skin manifestations in the folds and creases of the body. It's also not uncommon for those with acanthosis nigricans to experience thickening of the affected skin. For most, this condition affects the armpits, neck and groin. However, the disorder can affect any area of the skin.²Mayo Clinic. ‘Acanthosis nigricans - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 9 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acanthosis-nigricans/symptoms-causes/syc-20368983

Acanthosis nigricans is a noncontagious condition, so patients shouldn't be concerned when exposing affected areas or having contact with others.³Kids Health. ‘Acanthosis nigricans (for Parents) - Advocate Health Care.’ Kids Health, 2021, kidshealth.org/Advocate/en/parents/acanthosis.html

1. Symptoms of Acanthosis Nigricans

Skin changes are the most obvious symptom of acanthosis nigricans. Typically, the first sign of the condition is darkening of the skin in areas that naturally crease. Other symptoms include a velvety feeling of the skin and thickening in affected areas.²Mayo Clinic. ‘Acanthosis nigricans - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 9 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acanthosis-nigricans/symptoms-causes/syc-20368983 Less common symptoms include itching and small growths in the affected areas. Some individuals may also develop an odor.²Mayo Clinic. ‘Acanthosis nigricans - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 9 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acanthosis-nigricans/symptoms-causes/syc-20368983

While these symptoms may be distressing, they are not generally considered dangerous. However, it's recommended that those experiencing these symptoms seek medical treatment in case of an underlying disease.