Steroids
Another medication treatment likely to cause acanthosis nigricans is steroids, also known as corticosteroids.
Steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed to treat various health conditions, including asthma, eczema, sciatica, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus, among others. Patients using them in brief periods and in low doses do not tend to suffer from the side effects. The problem starts when doctors require a prolonged treatment duration. Side effects are also likely to appear among patients who use steroid tablets, and they may include difficulty sleeping, increased appetite, mood changes, and skin rash.
Acanthosis nigricans appears as one of the side effects of steroid treatments. Just like in Cushing syndrome, patients suffer from an oversupply of cortisol, which may develop into insulin resistance and, as such, cause the appearance of dark marks that are sometimes flaky and itchy.
It is advisable that patients to consult with a medical professional as soon as they suspect their acanthosis nigricans symptoms are caused by a specific medication treatment, including the use of steroids. That way, the doctor may look into the matter and suggest an alternative to deliver the therapy minus any untoward effects.
