Acanthosis Nigricans
Alternate Names : AN
Acanthosis nigricans is a disease that causes dark, thick
areas on the skin. The areas affected are spread out, and the skin is
velvety. It is most common in the armpits and other body folds.
What is going on in the body?
There are four types of acanthosis nigricans.
Gougerot-Carteaud syndrome occurs in young females and is probably
inherited.
Malignant acanthosis nigricans is sometimes seen in adults with
cancer of the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems.
Miescher syndrome is an inherited disease that causes skin lesions
for no apparent reason.
Pseudoacanthosis nigricans is caused by a hormone imbalance in the
body that may cause excess insulin in the blood.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
There are many causes of acanthosis nigricans, including the
following:
Addison disease,
which is caused by a deficiency of hormones from the adrenal gland
diabetes
disorders of the pituitary gland within the brain
genetic causes
growth hormone therapy
hypothyroidism,
which means low levels of thyroid hormone that are caused by decreased activity of the
thyroid gland
insulin resistance caused by obesity
oral contraceptives
some medicines, such as nicotinic acid, which are used to treat
high cholesterol
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