Acanthosis nigricans
Acanthosis nigricans is the name for dry, dark patches of skin that usually appear in the armpits, neck or groin. It could be a sign of an underlying condition, so it needs to be checked by a GP.
Check if you have acanthosis nigricans
The main symptom of acanthosis nigricans is patches of skin that are darker and thicker than usual. The patches often appear gradually without any other symptoms.
These patches:
- can appear anywhere on the body
- are dry and feel similar to velvet
- are most common in skin folds, such as the armpits, neck or groin
- can have tiny growths on the patches
- can sometimes itch
When to see your GP
You should see your GP if you have:
- new dark patches on your skin
- any skin changes you're unsure about
Although it's usually harmless, it's best to get any skin changes checked out.
In rare cases, it can be a sign of something more serious, such as cancer.
Your GP can usually tell if it's acanthosis nigricans by looking at your skin.
You may need some tests if they're not sure what's causing the patches.
Causes of acanthosis nigricans
The most common cause of acanthosis nigricans is being very overweight.
Other causes include:
- type 2 diabetes
- conditions that affect hormone levels, such as Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome or an underactive thyroid
- taking certain medicines, including steroids or hormone treatments like the contraceptive pill
- in rare cases, cancer – usually stomach cancer
- in rare cases, a faulty gene inherited from your parents
Sometimes acanthosis nigricans happens in healthy people with no other conditions. This is more common in people with dark skin.
Treating acanthosis nigricans
Once your GP knows what's causing the condition, they can recommend the best treatment.
The skin patches should fade over time once the cause is treated.
If you're very overweight, your GP may recommend losing weight.
Depending on the cause, they may also recommend:
- medicine to balance your hormones
- medicine to balance your insulin levels
- changing your medicine to one that doesn't cause the patches
There's no specific treatment for the skin patches.
A skin specialist (dermatologist) may be able to suggest treatments to improve their appearance. But finding and treating the cause is usually recommended first
More useful links
The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.
For further information see terms and conditions.