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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.
The main symptom of acanthosis nigricans is patches of skin that are darker and thicker than usual.
They can appear anywhere on the body.
They're most common in skin folds, such as the armpits, neck or groin.
Some people also have tiny growths (skin tags) on the patches.
The patches often appear gradually without any other symptoms.
Sometimes the skin may be itchy.
Although acanthosis nigricans is usually harmless, it's best to get any skin changes checked out.
Rarely, it can be a sign of something more serious, such as cancer.
A GP can usually tell if it's acanthosis nigricans by looking at your skin.
You may need some tests to find out what's causing the patches.
The most common cause of acanthosis nigricans is being very overweight.
Other causes include:
Sometimes healthy people with no other conditions get acanthosis nigricans. This is more common in people with black or brown skin.
Once a GP knows what's causing acanthosis nigricans, they can recommend the best treatment.
The patches should fade over time once the cause is treated.
If you're very overweight, a GP may recommend losing weight.
Depending on the cause, they may also recommend:
There's no specific treatment for the patches themselves. A skin specialist (dermatologist) may be able to suggest treatments to improve their appearance, but finding and treating the cause is usually recommended first.
