Acanthosis nigricans usually appears slowly and doesn't cause any symptoms other than skin changes.
Eventually, dark, velvety skin with very visible markings and creases appears in the armpits, groin and neck folds, and over the joints of the fingers and toes.
Less commonly, the lips, palms, soles of the feet, or other areas may be affected. These symptoms are more common in people with cancer.
Signs and tests
Your health care provider can usually diagnose acanthosis nigricans by looking at your skin. A
If there is no clear cause of acanthosis nigricans, you may need to have tests. Your health care provider may order blood tests, an
Previous Section
Review Date: 09/11/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; and Roy Colven, MD, Dermatologist, Associate Professor of
Medicine, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle,
Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
