About acanthotic nevus

What is acanthotic nevus?

Seborrheic Keratosis is a skin disorder usually characterized by discolored lesions that appear to be "stuck on" the skin surface. Warts may appear and skin is often oily or greasy. These skin lesions are sometimes mistaken for cancerous growths and tend to appear predominately during middle age. Itching, irritation, inflammations or unsightliness of lesions may require surgical removal of affected skin areas.

What are the symptoms for acanthotic nevus?

Inflammation symptom was found in the acanthotic nevus condition

The main sign of acanthosis nigricans is dark, thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases. It often appears in the armpits, groin and back of the neck. It develops slowly. The affected skin might be itchy, have an odor and develop skin tags.

Consult your health care provider if you notice changes in your skin — especially if the changes are sudden. You may have an underlying condition that needs treatment.

What are the causes for acanthotic nevus?

Acanthosis nigricans might be related to:

  • Insulin resistance. Most people who have acanthosis nigricans have also become resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that allows the body to process sugar. Insulin resistance is what leads to type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is also related to polycystic ovarian syndrome and might be a factor in why acanthosis nigricans develops.
  • Certain drugs and supplements. High-dose niacin, birth control pills, prednisone and other corticosteroids may cause acanthosis nigricans.
  • Cancer. Some types of cancer cause acanthosis nigricans. These include lymphoma and cancers of the stomach, colon and liver.

What are the treatments for acanthotic nevus?

There's no specific treatment for acanthosis nigricans. Your care provider might suggest treatments to help with pain and odor, such as skin creams, special soaps, medications and laser therapy.

Treating the underlying cause might help. Examples include:

  • Lose weight. If your acanthosis nigricans is caused by obesity, nutritional counseling and losing weight may help.
  • Stop medications. If your condition seems to be related to a medication or supplement that you use, your care provider may suggest that you stop using that substance.
  • Have surgery. If acanthosis nigricans was triggered by a cancerous tumor, surgery to remove the tumor often clears up the skin symptoms.

What are the risk factors for acanthotic nevus?

The risk of acanthosis nigricans is higher in people who have obesity. The risk is also higher in people with a family history of the condition, especially in families where obesity and type 2 diabetes are also common.

Is there a cure/medications for acanthotic nevus?

Acanthosis nevus syndrome is much more severe than the acanthosis nigricans

Treatment course-

  • The treatment of this condition is a combination of cosmetic therapy and surgeries accompanied by the treatment for the underlying cause of the disease. This improves both the appearance and the
  • The standard therapy for epidermal nevi is surgery or ablative CO2 laser treatment.
  • Topical tretinoin cream (0.02 or 0.05) percent and 5-fluorouracil cream have been used in the treatment of both acanthosis nigricans and epidermal nevi with variable results
  • Reduction of obesity and diabetes can also be helpful in this condition.
  • Treatment with topical tretinoin cream 0.02 percent once daily was not effective in the present patient. After which, CO2 laser treatment can be initiated in the future.
  • Several small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors of FGFR3 are available and being evaluated for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. These drugs may also be useful in the treatment of other disorders associated with FGFR3 mutations, such as benign skin lesions.


Symptoms
Increased coloration or pigmentation (hyperpigmentation), and abnormal thickening of the skin in the neck, under arms (axillae), the groin, and the anal/genital region,Development of greyish brown or pigmentation, excessive roughness and dryness,Noticeable thickening or overgrowth (hyperkeratosis) of the skin
Conditions
Abnormally increased coloration (hyperpigmentation),velvety thickening (hyperkeratosis) of the skin, particularly of skin fold regions, such as of the neck and groin and under the arms (axillae)
Drugs
Corticosterones and antibiotics can be used symptomatically

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