Dark area right round my neck

phone_girl · 08-04-2006, 05:46 PM

Hi all

I'm a newbie, so I'd like to say hi first.

Does anyone else suffer with "dirty neck" syndrome (as I call it).

I can't put my hair up or anything as it seriously looks like I haven't washed my neck in years even though I shower every day and wash it constantly (been drummed into me by my mother you see). I can't see a way out of this - I know the dark areas are a symptom of PCOS but it seriously is driving me insane.

Also got a couple more dark areas but not so worried about those.

It's getting me down - in the hot weather that we're having here in the UK at the mo, I need to put my hair up, but can't without a scarf, so it's defeating the object. Help!!!!

Jackie T

Doovie · 08-04-2006, 06:38 PM

i have dark spots like that on my ankles... are yours really dry...

happytoknow · 08-04-2006, 06:41 PM

Hello and welcome to SC.

I have a dark patch on each side of my neck. When I first found them, I was really bothered by it. I wash and put moisturizer on the area and it's seems to help kinda fade it. I'm not sure if a dermatologist would be able to help if that's an option you could look in to. I know there are products, even natural ones, that help fade age spots and dark (brownish) spots. Something like that *might* help? Here is a link to a skin lightening cream.

http://www.puritan.com/pages/file.as...=1&lbl=1#label

And if you look here at the column on the left, it will list the many symptoms of PCOS

http://www.soulcysters.com/do_have_pcos.html

I'm sorry I can't be a whole lot of help with how to get rid of the patches. It's a symptom some women experience with PCOS. Hang in there, cyster, you are not alone.

Indira · 08-04-2006, 06:43 PM

I have it too, I've found that as long as I eat less sugar and starches it starts going away.

eta: I do put my hair up, I don't care if people think I don't wash my neck, I would rather be cool than hot.

Jashobeam · 08-04-2006, 06:52 PM

I had that on my elbows as a teen and it was very embarrassing to me. Now, I just have them under my arms. Here is some info: http://www.rarediseases.org/search/r...is%20Nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans can be a sign of IR or diabetes. Get tested for BOTH. The patches went away on my elbows, and some women find that when they get their insulin under control the patches lighten or go away completely. Check out the Diabetes board.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthosis_nigricans

http://www.cushings-help.com/acanthosis.htm

"Acanthosis nigricans is asymptomatic, brown to black, with a velvety texture. Pedunculated skin tags often are present. The most common sites are the axillae, neck, and groin. If the patient is obese, the eruption may clear with weight loss or correction of the underlying endocrine disorder. Local treatment is not effective."

Hezzer · 08-04-2006, 08:06 PM

As mentioned, it's called acanthosis nigricans.

Here are many threads on the topic.

http://www.soulcysters.net/search.php?searchid=778430

ajhyer · 08-04-2006, 10:35 PM

I have never had it but my daughter did for a while. I was so embarrassed by it. I would scrub her neck because I thought it was dirt. I even took her to the doctor about it. Luckily hers has gone away, but now I am worried that she will have PCOS and she is only 8 now.

Jashobeam · 08-04-2006, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajhyer

I have never had it but my daughter did for a while. I was so embarrassed by it. I would scrub her neck because I thought it was dirt. I even took her to the doctor about it. Luckily hers has gone away, but now I am worried that she will have PCOS and she is only 8 now.

Check the Articles board for info on little girls and PCOS. I had the first signs at 9 or so. There are a couple of studies on girls that age and how Met. MIGHT delay their first AF till a more normal time, allow them to grow taller and avoid other PCOS symptoms. It's worth a read. We had DD's insulin tested a while back (she is 2 and 1/2) and will have her retested at around age 5 and about age 7. My grandmother was diabetic, my mom is IR and having blood sugar issues and I'm IR (both DH's parents are diabetic) so I want to watch now for any signs of problems. I was about 12 or 13 I think when I had the dark spots on my elbows. I was already very overweight.

Shanna_Payne · 08-06-2006, 08:44 PM

I have it too, I first started getting it around 13 and my mom thought i wasn't taking a bath and she got me down and scrub on me for hours! Took me to a skin dr. he said it was early signs of skin cancer, then i went to a gyno and they said to lose weight and it'd go away, well i can't lose weight, i've tried! I have them around my neck, under my arms, around my breast and my back. my new gyno said that it can be from PCOS or also from the IR. I dont wear my hair up cause of it unless its around my family like my mom, hubby, sister etc. I think i'll look for some of that cream though, I'd love to be able to have short hair or wear it in a pony tail once in awhile. oh i have them on my inner arm too, like the elbow area but on the inside of the arm. i bet people think i shoot up or something LOL oh well

muppetgirl · 08-07-2006, 11:58 AM

I too have it and hate it. Like someone said in an earlier post, I find once I get my sugar under control then it starts to fade. I wouldn't wear my hair up for the longest time, but then I said Screw it because I live in Florida and hate it!!! It's hardly noticeable at all right now though!

nancy_l_g · 08-08-2006, 12:08 AM

I wish there was a cream for it. A dermatologist prescribed Retin-A for it but it didn't work and just left it splotchy. I live in So. Cal literally on the other side of the mountain from Palm SPrings so it gets really hot here. Recently I discovered halter tops. The dark area is right at the base of my neck and the halter covers enough of the dark area. As an added bonus, I discovered that the halter with the self-bra (no underwire just elastic and fabric)provides just enough support for my D/DD cup so that I don't need a strap-less bra.

The only down-side is the dark fuzz on my back is now on full display but it is nothing a bit of Nair can't solve.

Nancy
Mom to nearly 4yo miracle baby Chloe
Off BC since 7/98
TTC #2 (would've been open to babies less than a year apart)

amschill · 08-08-2006, 10:05 PM

I'm not sure if this will help or not, but before I was even diagnosed with PCOS, I went to the dermatologist for this very reason. He told me that it is a problem that becomes worse as you gain weight. The areas of skin on our bodies that should be the most flexible, have many little folds which go unnoticed for most people. However, as you gain weight, fat cells fill these creases and make them deeper. This causes the darkened color and the rough texture.

Allison

nikki_d3 · 08-09-2006, 04:43 AM

I think I have this. If you have the same problem that I have, I will tell you how I fixed it. It is so simple you won't believe it. Take rubbing alcohol and put it on a cotton ball (not a towel, only a cotton ball). Simply wipe it off off your neck. You won't believe how dirty that cotton ball will be good luck.

*SAHMommie* · 08-09-2006, 03:12 PM

I don't have the darkness on my neck. I have it under both eyes. It looks as though I don't know how to use make up & I have mascara where blush should be. It is embarrassing. What I do now is use foundation to cover it & have to reapply thoughout the day.
If anybody has any suggestions for me...PM.

Good luck! (I would definatley try the alcohol-its worth a try!)

cation · 08-09-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikki_d3

I think I have this. If you have the same problem that I have, I will tell you how I fixed it. It is so simple you won't believe it. Take rubbing alcohol and put it on a cotton ball (not a towel, only a cotton ball). Simply wipe it off off your neck. You won't believe how dirty that cotton ball will be good luck.

If you can wipe it off with rubbing alcohol, it's not AN. It's a dirty neck.