I've noticed that my neck is much darker than the rest of my body. The skin also looks hardened and "leathery." I've tried bleaching products to lighten up the area, but have had no success. What could be causing this condition?
An area of the skin that appears darker than the rest is called hyperpigmentation. There are several causes for this condition. For instance, eczema can occur as a red or dark patch of skin, but is usually associated with itching. Because of the location and the "leathery" appearance that you describe, the cause of the hyperpigmentation is most likely a skin condition called acanthosis nigracans (AN).
AN is quite common and presents as a symmetric brown-black thickening of the skin that gradually becomes leathery or velvety in appearance. The most common sites are the neck, underarms, chest, knuckles and cheeks. There are usually no symptoms (such as itching). By many it is often confused as dirt on the skin, and constant scrubbing either causes no change or worsens the condition.
There are several causes of AN. The majority of cases are associated with obesity. I often see this condition in overweight young girls who are otherwise healthy. Heat combined with moist folded areas of skin causes a discoloration. AN is rarely hereditary and is often associated with hormonal problems. The skin changes can occur at birth or during childhood and worsen during puberty. Certain drugs, such as nicotinic acid, can cause AN. AN can also be a sign of diabetes or cancer.
First, determine the cause of your case of AN. Make an appointment with your doctor. He or she will run a series of blood test as well as other examinations to determine whether there are any medical reasons for AN. For the majority of cases, obesity is the cause, thus weight loss is the key.
The areas of darker skin should not be scrubbed; this will only irritate the skin. Topical creams containing lactic acid (Lac Hydrin, Amlactin), retinoids (Tazorac, Retin A, Differin), urea (Vanamide, Carmol) and glycolic acid help to exfoliate and smooth the skin. While topical corticosteroid and 4% hydroquinone containing products (Glyquin, Lustra & Triluma) are helpful in returning the skin to its normal color.
Valerie D. Callender, M.D. Director, Callender Skin & Laser Center, Mitchellville, MD CallenderSkin.com
If you have a skin-related question, send it to Ask Dr. Callender.
(This article is on iVillage.com courtesy of Alluring Looks.com)
