About this topic
Acanthosis nigricans is also called AN. It is a condition where the skin is dark, thick, and velvety. This happens on body parts where the skin folds, like the neck and armpits. AN is not harmful and does not spread from person to person. It may be a sign of other health illnesses. ‚
Doctors diagnose this illness by taking your history, looking at your skin, and doing some tests. Treatment is based on the cause of your illness. Drugs and creams may be given to help how your skin looks. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Ask your doctor for ways to help how your skin looks. Your doctor may give you a cream or solution to help with this skin problem. Follow your doctors instructions.
- If AN is caused by other more serious health problems, follow your doctor's instructions.
- Try to lose weight if you need to. Ask your doctor what diet and exercise is best for you. Exercise regularly.
- If your doctor tells you to, stop taking the drugs that might be causing your AN.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may talk to you about more treatments. ‚
Your doctor may send you to a hormone expert called an endocrinologist. You may also be sent to a skin expert called a dermatologist. If you are having problems coping with your illness, the doctor may suggest you talk with a counselor. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help your skin look better
- Stop itching
What problems could happen?
- Problems with how you look
- Low mood
- Worry
- More serious problems causing AN like diabetes, cancer, or hormone problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Lose weight. Keep up a healthy weight by eating right and exercising regularly. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Problems moving parts with AN
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my skin.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or a wound that will not heal.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Dermatology ‚
http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a---d/acanthosis-nigricans ‚
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology ‚
http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/acanthosis_nigrica.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/acanthosis.html ‚
National Organization of Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/115/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚