Acanthosis nigricans: Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of acanthosis nigricans?
This skin condition causes some easily recognized signs and symptoms. You may notice that your skin with acanthosis nigricans:
Has a brown or black discoloration
Feels velvety and thicker than the surrounding skin
Has skin tags
Itches
Has a bad odor
Acanthosis nigricans
Darker skin in the folds of the neck is common.
Where acanthosis nigricans forms
A velvety, dark patch of skin can form on most areas on the body, including the:
Armpits
Back of the neck
Groin area (especially in skin folds and creases)
Elbows
Knees
Knuckles
Belly button
Woman's breasts (beneath)
Face
Female genitalia
Less often, a patch can form on the lips, mouth, eyelids, palms of the hands, bottoms of the feet, or nipples.
Acanthosis nigricans (AN) tends to appear slowly, taking months or years to form. If it appears suddenly, you should immediately make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist. When AN appears suddenly, it can be a warning sign of cancer.
Acanthosis nigricans
Darker, velvety skin in an armpit is another common sign.
Images
Image 1: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007; 57:502-8
Image 2: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57:907-8
References
Weger W, Ginter-Hanselmayer G, et al. “Florid cutaneous papillomatosis with acanthosis nigricans in a patient with carcinomas of the lung and prostate.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57:907-8.
Yosipovitch G, DeVore A, and Dawn A. “Obesity and the skin: Skin physiology and skin manifestations of obesity.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007; 56:901-16.