The dark spots that appear in regions where there are small folds in the skin, such as armpits, back and belly are a change called Acantose Nigricans.
This change is related to hormonal problems and is a good indication of insulin resistance, which causes the person to develop type 2 diabetes. In this case, if the person performs the capillary glycemia test their result may be altered and indicate the pre diabetes, which occurs when blood sugar reaches 124mg / dL, which does not yet indicate diabetes.
Can I have diabetes?
If you think you may have diabetes, take the test and see what your risk is:
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- Male
- female
- Less than 40 years
- Between 40 and 50 years
- Between 50 and 60 years
- Over 60 years
- Greater than 102 cm
- Between 94 and 102 cm
- Less than 94 cm
- Yes
- Not
- Two more times a week
- Less than twice a week
- Not
- Yes, relatives in 1st grade: parents and / or siblings
- Yes, relatives in 2nd grade: grandparents and / or uncles
How to Treat Acanthosis Nigricans
Treatment for Acanthosis Nigricans depends on your cause and as this type of blemishes is caused by hormonal changes, your treatment should be guided by the endocrinologist.
Thus, in the case of the spots appear due to:
- Diabetes: Regulated blood sugar levels should be maintained to accelerate the disappearance of blemishes;
- Polycystic ovary: should be treated with contraceptive to regulate the hormones and attenuate the dark patches of the skin;
- Metabolic Syndrome: It is recommended to lose weight with a balanced diet and regular exercise to reduce staining.
With due treatment the dark spots on the skin tend to disappear the skin returns to have a uniform color.
Home Treatment Options
Although it is necessary to do the treatment recommended by the endocrinologist, to eliminate dark spots on the neck caused by acanthosis nigricans, there are also some home remedies that can help accelerate the results:
1. Sprinkle lemon on skin
Due to citric acid, lemon has excellent whitening properties that allow lightening of dark skin even in cases of acanthosis nigricans.
- How to do: Cut a lemon and squeeze your juice, then with a cotton ball, apply on the spots and let it act for 10 to 20 minutes. Finally wash the skin and avoid exposing it to the sun for at least 12 hours.
2. Exfoliation with Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most powerful natural exfoliants, being able to lighten and even eliminate several types of dark patches of skin.
- How to make: Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water until you get a paste. Then apply to the neck or affected area and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat this process every day.
3. Cucumber
The cucumber has a soothing and slightly exfoliating effect that allows lightening and lightening of the skin naturally.
- How to do: start cutting the cucumber into thin slices and leave on the dark spots, letting act for 15 minutes. Finally, wash the area and apply the rose water on the neck, allowing it to dry completely.
What Causes Acanthosis Nigricans
Other possible causes of Acantose Nigricans are hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism, acromegaly, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome, Cushing's Syndrome or use of oral contraceptives.
This type of dark mark on the skin, which looks like dirt, is more common in Afrodescendants but can appear in any person. There are cases in which the spots do not disappear, even doing the proper treatment of the cause. In these cases, the dermatologist may prescribe the daily use of some creams, such as tretinoin, ammonium lactate or hydroquinone, for example. In any case, it is always recommended to apply sunscreen, to prevent the sun from making the spots darker.
Check out other causes that can cause the appearance of dark patches on the skin.
