Dry, dark patches on both knees?

SueMaz · 09-18-2004, 01:36 AM

For about a year or so, around the time I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I've had these dark, scaley patches on both my knees. The skin is definitely darker and the skin appears a bit thicker there. It also looks very dry on the pigmented area. I've tried creams, BHAs, AHAs and exfoliation but nothing helps. It doesn't itch or bother me at all except for the way it looks.

Does anyone else have this? Do you have any idea what it can be? What may clear this up?

Thanks!

Hayles · 09-19-2004, 01:28 AM

I've read that dry dark patches of skin is a sighn of severe insulin resistance. I had it on my neck & tried everything to "clean" it but now im on metformin & don't have it anymore so maybe what i read is correct I would ask your doctor about it.

SueMaz · 09-19-2004, 01:46 AM

I did have my glucose and insulin checked a while back and it was well within the normal range. I had the knee patches then I believe. I don't have these patches anywhere else either. They are driving me crazy because it makes my knees look dirty. If they are indicative of insulin resistance would I have any other symptoms? Does pregnancy make this worse (I'm 25 weeks along)? Thank you.

Hayles · 09-19-2004, 08:56 AM

sorry i can't answer that i officially have no idea like i said i think you should ask your doc sorry i can't be of any more help

Congrats on the pregnancy!!! hope all is well.see ya round the board

layla · 09-26-2004, 04:28 AM

Check on the web for "acanthosis nigricans" - the dark patches could be a symptom of insulin resistance, and can't be scrubbed off. Of course you need to check with your doctor, but it seems common to those of us with PCOS...

SueMaz · 09-26-2004, 04:19 PM

Thanks for your reply.

I had shown my doc these patches over a year ago and she said that with time they should go away. She felt that they were dry patches of skin, nothing more. Granted, she could be wrong. The only thing is that I keep reading that AN has a "velvety" texture and my patches just feel dry and scratchy. There is definite discoloration though. I've been using cortisone since a friend suggested it may be eczema although they do not itch at all. I've tried AHAs and BHAs which haven't helped at all. I'll keep searching for info though. Thanks again.