Acanthosis Nigricans: A Case Study

-Diagnosis: According to Sander (2018) the diagnosis of acanthosis nigricans (AN) is typically from the physical examination. However, if the provider is unsure, the provider can obtain a skin biopsy. The results of a skin biopsy indicative of acanthosis nigricans will have findings of hyperkeratosis, epidermal papillomatosis, and mild acanthosis. The dermis may have a small amount of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils, but it should not have a large amount of these cells, for it is not an inflammatory process. Acanthosis nigricans can be present in patients with obesity, insulin resistance, malignancy, or medication use. Therefore, the history and physical examination is key to identify the cause of this skin condition. Medications that can cause this condition include the following: systemic glucocorticoids, insulin therapy, oral contraceptives, niacin, …show more content…
AN is a benign condition that can be caused from a range of conditions, such as obesity, genetics, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes mellitus, medications, and malignancy. Given the patient’s significant family history of type II diabetes mellitus, her unremarkable metabolic profile laboratory test, and from the findings of her physical examination, it is likely that her AC is related to insulin resistance. She was educated about the treatment options, and she has decided to treat the condition with weight loss and monitoring for diabetes mellitus. She was instructed to refrain from scrubbing the areas with AC, for scrubbing can irritate her skin, making it thicker and darker. She was educated about the signs of diabetes mellitus, such as polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. If she experiences these symptoms, she was instructed to call the office to test for diabetes mellitus. She was informed she will continue to be screened for diabetes mellitus