Dermatology >>>> Acanthosis

Acanthosis.

Acanthosis (or acanthosis nigricans) is a disease from the group of verrucous keratoses. Another common name in medicine for this disease, pigment-papillary dystrophy of the skin, more precisely determines the external signs of the course of the disease. Acanthosis is characterized by coarsening of the skin in the bends of the limbs and folds of the skin, as well as the manifestation of hyperpigmentation in the affected areas. In addition to skin folds with acanthosis, modified areas of the skin appear around the nipples, navel, on the back of the foot or palm, in the neck. Growths and pigmentation can appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth, pharynx and larynx. Acanthosis can have a malignant course (it acts as a cutaneous manifestation of malignant lesions of internal organs), but more often it is benign (especially in adolescence). Outwardly acanthosis nigricans is similar to senile keratosis, which occurs in old age on open areas of the skin.

The etiology of the disease is not completely clear, but it is believed that endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypothyroidism, acromegaly), oncological diseases, hypogenitalism, pathologies of the nervous system, taking certain drugs (hormones, contraceptives, corticosteroids), hypervitaminosis, inheritance in an autosomal dominant manner. With acanthosis, the processes of proliferation of epidermal cells are activated. The thorny and granular layers of cells swell, melanin begins to accumulate in parallel, capillaries expand, and a nonspecific perevascular (perivascular) infiltrate, consisting of lymphocytes, accumulates. These processes "lift" certain areas of the skin.

Acanthosis – signs.

In places where acanthosis occurs, the skin coarsens, its relief is clearly drawn, papillomatous growths appear;
Externally, the skin growths become velvety;
Skin color in places of hyperkeratosis acquires various shades of brown up to dark brown (which is the inspiration for the name "acanthosis black");
Sometimes acanthosis is accompanied by an unpleasant odor.

Acanthosis – treatment.

Due to the fact that acanthosis is considered a polietiologic disease, its treatment is associated with the treatment of diseases that support the manifestations of hyperpigmentation and hyperplasia. Therefore, attention is paid to the treatment of endocrine disorders, diagnosis of neoplasms of internal organs, stabilize the work of the nervous system, carry out immunosubstitution therapy, vitamin therapy (B vitamins, ascorbic acid , vitamin A, iron and phosphorus preparations), recommend to follow a diet and reduce excess weight. Powders, keratoplastic agents are used locally. Skin with acanthosis requires particularly careful and careful care. Remove unpleasant odors with antibacterial soap. In cases of a malignant course of the disease, surgical treatment and chemotherapy are prescribed. Treatment of acanthosis is not always effective, and relapses may occur after a while.