Mark his words.
Dr. Scott Walter, a board-certified dermatologist in the Denver area, is warning his 1.2 million TikTok followers to be on the lookout for acanthosis nigricans, a common condition characterized by dark, velvety patches on the folds and wrinkles of the skin. the body.
“Acanthosis nigricans, or what we call ‘AN,’ is defined by these hyperpigmented velvety plaques on the flexing areas of your skin, like your neck, underarms, or sometimes even your ankles,” Walter said in a TikTok on Tuesday as he pointed out telltale signs of this condition.
“The vast majority of cases where this is diagnosed on the skin, there is a medical condition associated with obesity, such as insulin resistance, diabetes, metabolic syndrome or [polycystic ovary syndrome]”, he explained.
As the obesity epidemic continues to grow in the US, this disorder has become widespread. One study reported that 74% of obese people have acanthosis nigricans.
The condition usually occurs in people under 40 and tends to affect Native Americans and African Americans more than others.
The marks can be found on the back of the neck, armpits or groin and sometimes on the face, chest, elbows, knees and wrists.
“Rarely, in cases where this is found in an older adult who is healthy, fit with no underlying medical condition, it can be determined to have an internal growing cancer such as gastro cancer. It’s rare, but it’s a sign,” Walter said.
Malignant acanthosis nigricans is more common in people who are middle-aged or elderly. It can be a sign of pancreatic, ovarian, esophageal, or lung cancer, and less commonly, bladder, renal cell, or prostate cancer.
Treating the underlying disease, such as removing the cancerous tumor, is the key. If the underlying condition is obesity, symptoms may improve with diet and exercise. If the case is less severe, topical creams may help.
“Regardless of the cause, if you ever experience this on your skin, you should definitely seek medical attention so you can address the underlying health issue,” advises Walter.
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