Acanthosis Nigricans disorder

Acanthosis nigricans is a disorder that may begin at any age. Acanthosis nigricans is most often associated with obesity or polycystic overian disease in women and it is a condition characterized by abnormal thickening and darkening of the skin, especially in body creases, on the neck, under the arms or in the groin and under the breasts. Acanthosis nigricans can occasionally be found in people who have more serious underlying health problems or who taking certain medications. In some cases it is genetically inherited and it is most common among people of African descent.

Symtoms:

Important symptoms are excessive urination (polyuria) and increased thirst (polydipsia). Causes:

The most important cause of acanthosis nigricans is hyperinsulinemia, a consequence of insulin resistance that occurs associated with obesity. People with lymphoma or cancers of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts can also develop severe cases of acanthosis nigricans. Another causes are: addison disease,a condition caused by a deficiency of hormones from the adrenal gland ,disorders of the pituitary gland within the brain,growth hormone therapy,hypothyroidism,oral contraceptives,some cholestrol medications,including nicotinic acid etc. Acanthosis nigricans most likely is caused by factors that stimulate epidermal keratinocyte and dermal fibroblast proliferation. Treatment:

The goal of therapy is to correct the underlying disease process. Treatment for skin is important. Correction of hyperinsulinemia often reduces the burden of hyperkeratotic lesions. Topical medications have been effective in some cases include keratolytics. Cyproheptadine has been used in cases of malignant acanthosis nigricans, because it may inhibit the release of tumor products. Dermabrasion and long-pulsed alexandrite laser therapy may also be used to reduce the bulk of the lesion. Oral agents that have shown some benefit include etretinate, isotretinoin, meformine and dietary fish oils. The most effective treatment is weight loss and exercise to correct the underlying endocrinologic abnormality. Acanthosis nigricans caused by medicine may go away once the medication is stopped.

Prevention:

Weight management and diet control is help to control blood glucose levels and also help to prevent acanthosis nigricans. Sometimes certain medicines caused acanthosis nigricans.stop or avoid the medince is most important prevention.

Alternative therapy:

Pharmacotherapy is to improve cosmetic appearance. Diet control and nutritious food are needed. Exercise is important and it also helps to improve insulin resistance. Other treatments to improve skin appearance, including Retin-A, urea, alpha hydroxy acids, and salicylic acid prescriptions, may be helpful in some people. Dermabrasion or laser therapy may help to reduce the bulky portion of the affected skin. Eating too much of the wrong foods, especially starches and sugars, can cause insulin resistance. Reducing the circulating insulin by dieting or medication can lead to improvement of the skin problem.

Links:

http://www.aocd.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/

http://www.visualdxhealth.com/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/

http://my.clevelandclinic.org

http://www.rarediseases.org/ treatment.