Acanthosis Nigricans:
Teen information

Your doctor will certainly try to establish the underlying cause of the acanthosis nigricans. If it is due to obesity, then assistance with weight loss may be in order. If obesity is not a factor, the physician may try to determine an underlying cause by ordering blood work, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests.

Once the underlying medical condition has been established and is being treated, your physician may recommend a topical cream or lotion containing the following:

• Prescription-strength alpha or beta hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid)
• Prescription-strength urea
• A retinoid such as tretinoin, tazarotene, or adapalene

For more severe, stubborn acanthosis nigricans, oral treatments may include:

• Dietary fish oils
• Isotretinoin, a very strong medication with many potential side effects, usually used in the treatment of severe, scarring acne

Not usually covered by insurance, some procedures to treat acanthosis nigricans include:

• Dermabrasion, a mechanical process of controlled, surgical scraping of the skin
• Lasers, which thin the skin by destroying the uppermost layers