What causes acanthosis nigricans?

Acanthosis nigricans is a condition of skin pigmentation, typically characterized by thickened, darkly pigmented skin that sometimes has a velvety texture. Its causes are varied and mainly include the following: 1. Diabetes: If a patient develops diabetes due to genetic or environmental factors, it can lead to impaired insulin secretion, which may trigger acanthosis nigricans. 2. Obesity: If a patient is overweight, disturbances in the body's metabolism may occur, leading to elevated insulin levels, which can cause excessive keratinization of the skin and result in symptoms of acanthosis nigricans. 3. Family history: Acanthosis nigricans has a certain hereditary component. If a patient's parents or other blood relatives have had acanthosis nigricans, the patient's likelihood of developing the condition is also increased. 4. Genetic factors: Some forms of acanthosis nigricans are hereditary. For example, malignant acanthosis nigricans associated with internal cancers can be familial. 5. Endocrine disorders: Excessive insulin resistance or a pre-diabetic state may lead to the development of acanthosis nigricans, as high insulin levels can affect the growth of skin cells. 6. Drug reactions: Certain medications, such as hormones or specific oral contraceptives, may also cause skin changes that lead to manifestations of acanthosis nigricans.