Dark Neck
Causes of the darkness around the neck
Darkness around the neck is a common condition caused by hormones, weight gain, pregnancy, insulin resistance and certain medical conditions. This condition called ‘Acanthosis Nigricans’ is dark pigmentation along with velvety feel to the skin that can commonly be seen around the neck and other skin folds such as arm pits and groin. Certain medical conditions like Cushings diseases, some cancers, obesity and metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance can cause this. Sometimes medication also like steroids, birth control pills etc can cause it too.
Darkness of the neck may also happen if the skin on the neck is not taken care of. If it isn’t cleaned like the facial skin, not moisturized or protected it can look darker than the rest of the face. Certain medicines like Phenytoin, tetracyclines, amiodarone, antimalarials etc can cause pigmentation on the neck.
Can it occur in any age group?
It can occur in any age group however kids with acanthosis nigricans are more at risk of developing diabetes. Fasting blood sugar should be checked in those with acanthosis nigricans.
Tips to get rid of the darkness around the neck.
The treatment for Acanthosis is to control the pre-diabetes condition and the blood sugars. Weight loss helps so lifestyle changes with exercise and healthy eating avoiding sugars and processed foods will make a good difference. Your dermatologist can prescribe exfoliation with peels or microdermabrasion or even treat it with a pigment laser such as Q switched laser. They may prescribe lightening creams with alpha hydroxyl acids in combination with retinol creams
Mention home remedies to tackle it
some home remedies you may try for acanthosis and pigmentation around the neck are:
apply mixture of honey and lemon to the skin for few minutes and wash away.
Mix water and baking soda and apply on neck and leave it on for 15-20 mins and wash.
Mix yoghurt with freshly squeezed lime and apply to neck. Leave for few minutes and wash.
Make your own DIY scrub with tomato juice and powdered oats . apply, leave for 15 minutes and gently massage to exfoliate.
