Dark velvety patches on my neck
You notice the skin on your neck has gone darker. It can look brown or gray, and feel soft, like velvet. You scrub it, but it does not wash off.
Doctors call this acanthosis nigricans, which just means dark, thick skin. The skin gets a bit thicker and takes on more color. It shows up most in folds, like the neck, the armpits, or the groin.
Often this is a sign about insulin. Insulin is the hormone that moves sugar from your blood into your cells. When your cells stop answering it well, insulin in the blood goes up, and skin cells in folds can grow fast.
Weight, family history, and some hormone problems raise the odds. A few drugs can do it too. Now and then it points to something else, so it is worth a look.
When to see someone
Have a doctor look at these patches, even if they do not hurt or itch. Go soon if they spread fast, or if you are very thirsty, pee a lot at night, or lose weight without trying. Also go if the skin cracks, bleeds, or smells bad, and ask for a simple blood test to check your sugar.
Below is a list of traditional and home remedies that people have used for insulin resistance. We are not saying any of them will change your skin or your health. Each one has a grade that shows how much research stands behind it, so read the grades first and talk with your doctor before you try anything.
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