Acanthosis Nigricans
Acanthosis Nigricans
The 'Clinical Snapshot' series provides a concise examination of a clinical presentation including history, treatment, patient education, and nursing measures. Using the format here, you are invited to submit your "Clinical Snapshot' to Dermatology Nursing.
Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a cutaneous skin disorder typically characterized by hyperpigmented, velvety, hypertrophic plaques (see Figure 1).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 1.
Acanthosis nigricans is typically characterized by hyperpigmented, velvety, hypertrophic plaques.
Acanthosis nigricans can affect otherwise healthy people or can be associated with internal malignancy, endocrine abnormalities, or obesity. Some cases have a familial tendency. Acanthosis nigricans has also been reported to be associated with excessive doses of niacin, corticosteroids, and diethylstilbestrol.
Acanthosis nigricans may affect any area of the body, but is most commonly found in the axillae, nape and sides of the neck, and in the groin (see Figures 2 & 3).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 2.
The axillae are common areas of presentation.
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 3.
The axillae are common areas of presentation.
Acanthosis nigricans presents as a hypertrophic darkening of the skin most commonly in the locations noted previously. Lesions may be pruritic, but are usually asymptomatic.
Treatment of AN depends primarily upon careful exclusion of endocrine disease or internal malignancy as a cause of the disease. If no underlying medical illness is found, retinoic acid (tretinoin, Retin-A) may be used on the lesions.
Acanthosis nigricans may progress slowly, becoming darker and larger with time, or may not progress at all.
Informing the patient about the condition, treatment options, and its corresponding associations is important in the management. The patient should be educated about the benign and cosmetic nature of this disorder and assured that he/she has been checked for underlying malignancies and endo crine abnormalities.
A thorough clinical history and physical exam should be taken along with proper instructions of any medication prescribed.
Content
Abstract
The 'Clinical Snapshot' series provides a concise examination of a clinical presentation including history, treatment, patient education, and nursing measures. Using the format here, you are invited to submit your "Clinical Snapshot' to Dermatology Nursing.
Description
Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a cutaneous skin disorder typically characterized by hyperpigmented, velvety, hypertrophic plaques (see Figure 1).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 1.
Acanthosis nigricans is typically characterized by hyperpigmented, velvety, hypertrophic plaques.
Etiology
Acanthosis nigricans can affect otherwise healthy people or can be associated with internal malignancy, endocrine abnormalities, or obesity. Some cases have a familial tendency. Acanthosis nigricans has also been reported to be associated with excessive doses of niacin, corticosteroids, and diethylstilbestrol.
Location
Acanthosis nigricans may affect any area of the body, but is most commonly found in the axillae, nape and sides of the neck, and in the groin (see Figures 2 & 3).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 2.
The axillae are common areas of presentation.
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 3.
The axillae are common areas of presentation.
Hallmark of the Disease
Acanthosis nigricans presents as a hypertrophic darkening of the skin most commonly in the locations noted previously. Lesions may be pruritic, but are usually asymptomatic.
Treatment
Treatment of AN depends primarily upon careful exclusion of endocrine disease or internal malignancy as a cause of the disease. If no underlying medical illness is found, retinoic acid (tretinoin, Retin-A) may be used on the lesions.
Normal Course
Acanthosis nigricans may progress slowly, becoming darker and larger with time, or may not progress at all.
Patient Education
Informing the patient about the condition, treatment options, and its corresponding associations is important in the management. The patient should be educated about the benign and cosmetic nature of this disorder and assured that he/she has been checked for underlying malignancies and endo crine abnormalities.
Nursing Measures
A thorough clinical history and physical exam should be taken along with proper instructions of any medication prescribed.
Source...