Did you know why children may show darkening of skin around neck and underarms? Bengaluru paediatrician explains

Children showing dark patches on the skin is a sign of underlying issue with their endocrine system, explains Dr Tejasvi Sheshadri.

Dark patches on the skin are an increasingly common condition seen in people of all ages, including children. The patches usually appear in areas such as the neck and underarms and are not removed by washing or scrubbing. This makes them a health issue and not anything to do with cleanliness.

Dark patches on the skin are a sign of an underlying health issue, shares Dr Sheshadri. (Pinterest)

Taking to Instagram on January 10, Dr Tejasvi Sheshadri, a paediatric endocrinologist and health content creator based in Bengaluru, shared what the patches mean when they appear in children and why they are a serious cause of concern.

Cause for dark patches on children

In Dr Sheshadri’s words, “If your child has darkening of the skin around the back of the neck or in the axillary region, then it is a cause of concern. This is called acanthosis nigricans. It is a dark velvety patch seen usually behind the neck in children who are overweight or obese. It is a sign of insulin resistance, and it needs to be treated immediately.”

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is responsible for regulating the blood sugar level. According to the Cleveland Clinic website, insulin resistance. also known as impaired insulin sensitivity, is a complex condition in which the cells in the muscles, fat and liver do not respond to the hormone insulin as effectively as they should.

As a result of the increased blood sugar level, the pancreas is forced to produce more insulin. The fact that the hormone would not work as intended in children indicates the seriousness of the condition, and makes the child more prone to diabetes in future.

How to reverse insulin resistance

Acanthosis nigricans is not a contagious disease or harmful in itself. However, it is the underlying causes that require specialised treatment, which includes reversing the insulin resistance. The best way to do that is to incorporate lifestyle changes.

As per the Cleveland Clinic website, this involves the following:

• Eating nutritious foods: Less added sugar and unhealthy fats, and more protein and fibre to reduce blood sugar spikes
• Physical activity: Working out regularly allows the glucose in the blood to be used up by the muscles, which lowers the requirement for insulin
• Losing excess weight: In some cases, losing weight can improve insulin resistance

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.