Acanthosis nigricans treatment through natural home remedies

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition in which you have black or grey-brown plaques that are developing on your skin. This is a benign dermatologic condition. Usually, this condition happens in the areas where you have skin folding, such as the groin, armpits, or neck. Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism, and Cushing’s disease are endocrines disorders associated with acanthosis nigricans.

Also, there are some cases when acanthosis nigricans is caused by cancer, but also the chances of getting acanthosis nigricans which is caused by some uncommon genetic syndromes, are not excluded.

The most common cause for acanthosis nigricans is the insulin resistance states, in which we can mention diabetes mellitus. We know that obesity can have the biggest role in insulin resistance [1].

The exact cause of this condition is unknown.

In some cases, experts say that when we have high levels of insulin in our bodies, they stimulate the growth receptors in some skin cells, which means that these cells are leading to characteristic hyperpigmented plaques. Elevated blood sugar and obesity are the most common underlying causes of acanthosis nigricans, and the treatment of this condition depends on the underlying condition. Exercise and diet are the best acanthosis nigricans home remedy.

You must talk with your doctor if you have noticed changes in your skin, and you should not take any of the mentioned home remedies if you have not talked with him.

8 Acanthosis nigricans home remedy & natural cures

Camphorated oil

People who are in search of acanthosis nigricans home remedy should apply camphorated oil on their skin because this oil will make better circulation to the splotches on the skin. Some people have tried to rid of the acanthosis nigricans with this natural remedy, and they have complained about the treatment period (because they have been using the camphorated oil for a period of one to two years), but they have said that this natural remedy had helped them to win against this condition. Some people who have used this natural remedy for their scars and marks have noticed that these conditions have improved over a period of two years. Also, they have said that their skin is smooth in those places. [2,3]

Neem oil

People who suffer from acanthosis nigricans can use neem balm as their natural remedy because it can help them to fade away the dark areas on their skin. But you should exercise and have a proper diet if you want to eliminate this condition. [2]

Baking soda

You should mix water and baking soda to make a paste. Apply this paste on your neck and let it stay there for a period of fifteen to twenty minutes. When this paste is dried, then you should wash it with water. You should repeat this treatment every day until you have noticed that you do not have dark skin.

Zinc

If you suffer from acanthosis nigricans, then you should try zinc supplements. There are some cases when people who have children that are two years old have used zinc tablets which is for kids, and in a period of two weeks, they have improved their condition. But you should talk with your doctor if your children suffer from acanthosis nigricans because he or she will prescribe you the best natural remedy for you, and they will tell you what the recommended dose is for you. [4,5]

Lemon

It has natural citric acid and bleaching properties to help you win against acanthosis nigricans. This is a cheap remedy that anyone who suffers from this condition can afford it. But after you have used lemon juice, you should not go out in the sun.

You will need to stir together one teaspoon of rose water and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Using a cotton ball or fingers, you should apply this remedy to your dark neck. You should gently rub this remedy because it needs to be absorbed by your skin. You should let this remedy stay on your neck all night or let it stay there for a period of a few hours. The next morning you should wash your neck with water. You need to repeat this treatment every day for a period of one month if you want to rid of acanthosis nigricans.

Also, this remedy can be stored overnight, and that is the period when you will get the best results. Also, there is another option that you can make if you suffer from acanthosis nigricans.

You will need to squeeze one lemon. Then, you should add a pinch of turmeric powder to this juice. You should stir this mixture. Then, you should apply this remedy on your dark neck with a cotton ball or use your fingers.

You should massage your neck with this remedy for a period of one or two minutes and let this mixture stay there for ten to fifteen minutes. You should wash your neck with lukewarm water. You should repeat this treatment regularly if you want to have the best results.

There is also a third method that you can make if you suffer from acanthosis nigricans. You will need to squeeze the juice from one lemon.

You should dip in a cotton ball, and then you should apply it on the areas where your skin is darker. If you know that you can be irritated from the lemon juice, then you should add water to the juice because, in this way, you will prevent the irritation.

You should let this remedy stay on the affected areas for a period of ten to twenty minutes. When it is irritating you or when it is dry, then you should wash those areas with cold water. One of the best home combinations which you can make to rid of the acanthosis nigricans is the combination of honey and lemon. You should squeeze one lemon, and then you should add a few drops of honey to this juice.

You should stir this mixture, and then you should apply it to your neck. You should let it stay there for a period of a few minutes until you have noticed that this mixture is dry. You should rinse the mixture with water, and you should repeat it on a regular basis if you want to have the best results.

Also, there is another option from lemon, which you can make it. You will need to mix one teaspoon of almond oil, one tablespoon of honey, two tablespoons of milk, and two teaspoons of lemon juice. You should apply this mixture to the affected areas and let it stay there for a period of fifteen to twenty minutes. Then, you should wash your affected areas. You should repeat this treatment on a regular base.

Oats

It can remove the dead skin cells in the areas where you have applied it because it is a natural exfoliate [6]. You will need to mix tomato pulp and coarsely ground oats powder and make a paste from them.

You should apply this mixture to the neck area, and you should massage your neck with this mixture for a period of a few minutes. You should let this remedy stay on your neck for a period of fifteen to thirty minutes. You should wet your finger, and then with a circular motion, you should gently rub your neck. You should continue this treatment for five to seven minutes before you wash this remedy off your neck and before you pat dry it. You should moisturize this area. You will need to repeat this treatment two to three times per week if you want to have the best results.

Yogurt

This natural cleanser will help you to rid of the acanthosis nigricans because it has acidic properties. We have said previously that lime juice has a bleaching effect. They are a good combination if you want to rid of the acanthosis nigricans.

You should stir freshly squeezed lemon juice with plain yogurt. You should apply this mixture to your neck. You should let this remedy stay there for a period of fifteen to twenty minutes. You should wash this remedy with water. You should repeat this treatment on a regular basis. Also, you can make another mixture from yogurt. In a small bowl, you should mix turmeric powder and yogurt. You should apply this remedy to your neck. Let it stay there from fifteen to twenty-five minutes. Then, you should wash those areas with lukewarm water. Repeat this treatment on a regular base. [7]

Fruit masks

You will need to mash the pulp of the banana. You should add a small amount of olive oil to it, and then you should mix it. Apply this remedy to your neck. Let it stay there from fifteen to twenty minutes. You should wash this mask with water. You should pat dry your skin. Apply this remedy every day.

Also, you can make another mask. Crush strawberries and mash papaya to a pulp. You will need to add 1 – 2 tablespoons of crushed strawberries, and then you should mix this remedy. Apply this mixture to your neck and let it stay there for a period of ten to fifteen minutes. Wash your neck with water, and then you should repeat it at regular intervals as acanthosis nigricans home remedy.

References

[1] Kahn BB, Flier JS. Obesity and insulin resistance. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2000;106(4):473-81.

[2] Kundu P, Wadhawan R, Gajjar D, et al. Acanthosis nigricans: An edifying review. Acta Biomedica Scientia. 2017;4(3):110-115.

[3] Patel NU, Roach C, Alinia H, et al. Current treatment options for acanthosis nigricans. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2018;11:407-413.

[4] Bel-Serrat S, Stammers AL, Warthon-Medina M, et al. Factors that affect zinc bioavailability and losses in adult and elderly populations. Nutrition Reviews. 2014;72(5):334-52.

[5] Sett A, Pradhan S, Sancheti K, et al. Effectiveness and safety of metformin versus Canthex™ in patients with acanthosis nigricans: A randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2019;64(2):115-21.

[6] Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, et al. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2015;14(1):43-8.

[7] Vashi NA, Kundu RV. Facial hyperpigmentation: causes and treatment. British Journal of Dermatology. 2013;169(3):41-56.