Darkening Of Skin On Neck

What Questions Might My Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose Melasma

• When did see the discoloration in your skin?
• Where are the discolorations located on your body?
• Is there a history of melasma in your family?
• Are you pregnant?
• What soaps do you use?
• What cosmetics/makeup do you use?
• Do you have any other skin disorders?
• Are you interested in prescriptions that may improve your melasma?
• Are you interested in procedures that may improve your melasma?

Diabetes: 12 Warning Signs That Appear On Your Skin

Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your skin. When diabetes affects the skin, its often a sign that your blood sugar levels are too high. This could mean that:

• You have undiagnosed diabetes, or pre-diabetes

• Your treatment for diabetes needs to be adjusted

If you notice any of the following warning signs on your skin, its time to talk with your doctor.

Darker Area Of Skin That Feels Like Velvet

A dark patch of velvety skin on the back of your neck, armpit, groin, or elsewhere could mean that you have too much insulin in your blood. This is often a sign of prediabetes.The medical name for this skin condition is acanthosis nigricans.

Acanthosis Nigricans

Often causing darker skin in the creases of the neck, AN may be the first sign that someone has diabetes.

Take action

• Get tested for diabetes

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Keep Skin Moist To Boost Cell Turnover

While your primary goal with hyperpigmentation is to lighten the dark spots, an effective over-the-counter moisturizer should contain ingredients that benefit the skin in other ways. “In addition to addressing the pigment issues, a good product will have moisturizing agents like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, and maybe even a retinol to boost cell turnover,” says Doris J. Day, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Medical School in New York City and the author of Beyond Beautiful: Using the Power of Your Mind and Aesthetic Breakthroughs to Look Naturally Young and Radiant. “These inactive ingredients allow the active brighteners to work more effectively.”

A good moisturizer can also restore the skins lipid, or fat, barrier, helping new skin cells stay healthy as they rise to the surface in place of old ones, notes the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Pigmentation Changes In Dark Skin

In hyperpigmentation, the skin either produces too much pigment or the pigment is deposited deep within the skin, resulting in dark spots. When color is lost, it’s called hypopigmentation, which results in light-colored patches. All people with dark skin are at risk for both skin conditions.

Among the most common types of pigment problems in dark skin is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This occurs as a result of skin injury, such as a cut, scrape, or burn. It can also occur in conjunction with eczema or acne.

The darkened area of skin can take from months to years to fade, though medical treatments can help. Treatments include removing layers of skin via a chemical peel and prescription bleaching treatments. These treatments won’t work on pigment deeper in the skin.

Daily use of a broad-spectrum, tinted sunscreen will also help keep a pigmented area from becoming darker.

Those with sensitive skin are at greatest risk for pigmentation problems. In fact, any skin care product ingredient that irritates or dries skin increases the risk.

The most common products include benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid and anti-aging compounds such as retinoids and glycolic acid. In some patients, the skin-bleaching compound hydroquinone can also irritate skin.

It’s important to note that all these ingredients can be successfully used on dark complexions as long as they are used correctly.

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Causes Of Dark Ring Around Neck

A dark ring around your neck may have a few different causes. Some are nothing to worry about and others could warrant a trip to your doctor. The different causes include:

1. Acanthosis Nigricans

This skin condition causes a dark ring and discolored creases around neck or in other areas of the body. It is often seen around the neck, groin area, and even armpits or thigh creases. It can happen to people with diabetes, Addison’s disease, or abdominal cancers.

Other Symptoms

• Thickened skin in skin folds
• Velvety appearance to darkened skin

2. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, an endocrine disorder, can cause skin color changes and darkening of the skin folds in body creases like, the neck. It is a hormonal imbalance that causes cysts on the ovaries, issues with blood sugar, excess hair on the body, and lack of ovulation.

Women who have this disorder may be unable to conceive and are at risk for health complications later in life.

Other Symptoms

• High levels of male hormones

3. Eczema

Eczema can cause skin color changes due to the rash type nature of this skin condition. It may cause a dark ring around neck and darkened skin folds all over the body. The rash can be itchy and scratching at it can make it worse. Eczema is often caused by allergies to certain things, but it can be inherited genetically.

Babies, children, and adults are all susceptible to eczema. It is highly treatable and may even clear up completely if the underlying cause is removed.

Home Remedies For Dark Neck Patches

The following nine home remedies can help reduce dark patches in the neck, face, and other parts of the body.

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Options For Treating Acanthosis Nigricans

Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that causes patches of dark, thickened, velvety skin to develop on the neck, underarms, thighs, or groin. It isn’t harmful or contagious, although you may not like its appearance.

Acanthosis nigricans can be a sign of other medical conditions, so it’s important to bring it up with your healthcare provider.

Here Are The Potential Causes Symptoms Diagnosis And Treatment Of The Dark Neck

Is there a change in the colour of the skin around your neck? Skin darkening is a common occurrence with thick and itchy skin around the neck. Exposure to sun, hormonal changes or skin-related disorders, can lead to neck decolouration. This dark or black neck ailment is frequent among people of all ages. Although it is not harmful, it can often undermine your confidence or self-esteem. Theres no need to worry. Instead, you can figure out the root cause of the skin problem and find out the solution to it. Here are the potential causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the dark neck.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is when patches of skin become darker than the surrounding areas. The condition occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, which is the pigment that gives the skin its colour.

Sun Exposure

Excessive sun exposure can cause darkening of the skin on the back of your neck.

Chemicals

The chemicals found in skin care products and cosmetics can also result in skin darkening. Before using any such product, consult with your dermatologist.

Infections

Fungal infections or eczema can sometimes cause a dark or black neck.

If you have the signs and symptoms of a dark neck, you should consult a dermatologist. Though a dark neck is not a sickness, it is frequently a symptom of a skin disease that requires diagnosis and treatment.

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What Is Darkened Skin

Darkened skin, or hyperpigmentation, is the appearance of patches of skin that become darker than the surrounding area. Hyperpigmentation can also diffusely involve the total skin surface of the body. The change in color happens when there is overproduction of melanin, the pigment normally found in the skin, forming deposits that darken the skin color. Darkened skin can develop in people of all races. Melasma is increased skin pigmentation that usually occurs on sun-exposed surfaces of darkly complected individuals.

Commonly, darkened skin appears as fairly small spots, called age spots or lentigines, which can be caused by sun damage acquired over a long period of time. In fact, sun exposure is one of the most common causes of darkened skin. Energy from the ultraviolet rays of the sun is absorbed by melanin as a normal way to protect the skin from overexposure. This can also darken areas that already have hyperpigmentation.

Sometimes darkened skin occurs as a result of a hormonal change or as a symptom of a particular disorder, such as café au lait macules, which are light or dark brown patches of skin present from birth, or Addisons disease, which is characterized by deceased production of hormones by the adrenal glands. Darkened skin can also result from a combination of sun exposure and an allergic reaction, usually to a specific plant or chemical.

If your darkened skin is persistent or causes you concern, seek prompt medical care.

Solutions To Treat For Dark Neck

Well, to get rid of dark neck follow, these tips shared by Dr Sharad:

1. Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight

2. Maintain Body Mass Index 24. It is a healthy range indicating that based on your weight and height, you are not overweight or obese.

3. Keep the neck clean

4. Do not over-exfoliate

5. Get your hormones checked

6. Treat the underlying condition

7. Use lactic acid-based creams/lotions

8. Avoid spraying perfumes on the skin

9. Do not rub the skin

10. Do not forget your sunscreen

Follow these tips and youll see positive results soon.

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Does Acanthosis Nigricans Mean I Have Diabetes

While AN doesnt always mean you have diabetes or prediabetes, it can be a sign of diabetes. So talk to your healthcare provider if you notice signs of AN.

Prediabetes means you have early signs but havent yet developed diabetes. If you have prediabetes, your provider will talk to you about steps to take to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. And if you do have diabetes, you and your provider can discuss treatment options.

Treatment For Black Neck

Treating the underlying condition thats causing your darkened neck is key to eliminating it and preventing it from recurring. In some cases, the discoloration may resolve when the condition is treated, or in the cases of drug-induced hyperpigmentation, when the medication is stopped. For example, most AN is caused by insulin resistance, which can often be solved with weight loss.

Even if the underlying condition is treated, long-term or permanent discoloration of the skin may remain, which may make you feel self-conscious. There are several options that may help return skin to its original color. While some may be better for certain skin tones, your doctor or a dermatologist can help determine which may be most effective for you.

Treatment options for black neck may include the following:

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Just Like Our Skin On The Face Our Neck Also Gets Almost The Same Amount Of Exposure Here Are Some Home Remedies That You Can Follow To Lighten The Dark Skin On Your Neck

: Generally, we do a hell lot of remedies like facials, scrubbing, and massage treatments to get a glowing look but, when it comes to the neck, we often don’t take enough care. As a result, the skin around our neck is noticeably darker than the surrounding skin. Just like our skin on the face our neck also gets almost the same amount of exposure. This type of darkening of the skin in certain areas is known as hyperpigmentation. A hormonal condition known as Acanthosis Nigricans can also cause darkening of the skin around the neck. For these conditions, a diagnosis from the doctor is required.

However, if the diagnosis confirms that the pigmentation is not due to hormonal causes and it is due to sun exposure and lack of hygiene, then you can follow the below-given home remedies to lighten the dark skin on your neck.

Can Acanthosis Nigricans Be Prevented

If obesity is causing AN, you can help prevent the condition through weight management. A diet that helps you keep your blood sugar levels in check can also help prevent AN.

Other preventive steps include:

• Managing medical conditions related to AN, such as thyroid problems and diabetes.
• Avoiding medications, such as birth control pills, that can cause or worsen AN.

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What Causes Black Neck

Black neck or acanthosis nigricans can affect both healthy individuals or those with certain medical conditions. At times, its congenital, meaning a person is born with it. While some may assume that a black neck occurs due to lack of hygiene or repeated friction due to neckpieces, this is untrue. In reality, a dark neck is a sign of having too much insulin in your blood. If you notice any symptoms, it is essential to test your blood sugar and promptly seek a diabetologist’s advice.

Obesity is another reason for a black neck. Furthermore, children who develop this condition are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In rare cases, acanthosis nigricans may be a warning sign of a cancerous tumour in your internal organs like the liver or stomach. Other probable causes include:

• Some cholesterol medications, including nicotinic acid
• Oral contraceptives
• Disorders of the pituitary gland
• Addisons disease, a deficiency of hormones from the adrenal gland

Those with acanthosis nigricans have higher levels of insulin than those without the condition. An unbalanced diet consisting of sugars, starches, and other wrong foods may raise insulin levels and cause obesity.

Black Neck Darkening Of Skin Around Neck

• BLACK NECK ! DARKENING OF SKIN AROUND NECK

Dark neck and thickened skin can be embarrassing for many people. Usually, people try to use numerous creams and beauty items for skin lightening around the neck or armpit. What we need to know here is that the dark thickened skin fold is a sign of deeper insulin resistance issues than just beauty!

Clinically referred to as Acanthosis nigricans, the skin is dark, coarse and thickened with a velvety texture, symmetrically distributed to the neck, axillae, antecubital and popliteal fossae, and groin folds. It is a reactive skin alteration closely associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia endocrine disease or malignancy.

Acanthosis nigricans is associated with metabolic syndrome and is primarily observed in obese and PCOS cases are caused by overproduction of hormones, primarily glucocorticoid, androgen and insulin.

Eating too many of the junk foods, particularly refined sugar and carbohydrates, may cause insulin resistance. This would result in higher levels of insulin. Many patients with acanthosis nigricans have higher insulin levels than those of the same weight without acanthosis nigricans.

Increased insulin levels in the body stimulate insulin receptors in the skin, making it develop abnormally. Reducing circulating insulin by dieting or medication can lead to an improvement in the skin issue.

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Keep Hands Off Bug Bites Blackheads And Other Injuries

As tempting as it may be to scratch a mosquito bite or squeeze a stubborn blackhead, remember your mother’s warning “Don’t pick!” and follow that advice. “Scratching and picking at a spot will only increase the inflammation that’s responsible for skin discoloration,” says Jeanine Downie, MD, a dermatologist and the director of Image Dermatology in Montclair, New Jersey. “The more you mess with it now, the worse it’ll look later.”

When To See A Dermatologist

Diabetes can cause many other skin problems. Most skin problems are harmless, but even a minor one can become serious in people who have diabetes. A board-certified dermatologist can recognize skin problems due to diabetes and help you manage them.

Are all dermatologists board certified?

No. See what it takes to become board certified.

ImagesImage 1: Image Courtesy of Clark C. Otley, MD. All Rights Reserved

Images 3, 7, 8, 9: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Image 2 from DermNetNZ

Some images used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Images 5, 6 and 10: Getty Images

ReferencesCohen Sabban, EN. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus from A to Z. Focus session presented at: 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology March 4-8, 2016 Washington D.C.

Duff M, Demidova O, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Clinical Diabetes. 2015 33:40-8.

Kalus AA, Chien AJ, et al. Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:1461-70.

McKinley-Grant L, Warnick M, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease. In: Kelly AP and Taylor S. Dermatology for Skin of Color. . The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. China, 2009:481-4.

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