Question:
do the dark area's where your legs rub go away after wieght loss?
— TIFFANY R. (posted on May 2, 2003)
May 2, 2003
Thats an excellent question...and one I have myself. I wouldn't think that
they would. I beleive that would take either skin bleaching or some type of
derm-abrasion (chemical peel). Does anyone else have any input for this?
Not just legs for me...also back of neck and underarms.
— donna O.
May 2, 2003
Tiffany - I don't think the dark skin will go away. If in doubt, do a
search to a plastic surgeon and consult him/her. You may find an on-line
surgeon who can help with that question. Good luck.
— Meg T.
May 2, 2003
Donna, have you seen a doctor about your discoloration? My little one
developed darkened skin color that was almost velvety around her neck,
under her arms, on her inner thighs. Now she also shows it in other spots
like the inside of her elbow bend. Anyhow, she was diagnosed with a
condition (sorry I don't recall what its called). I was told that its due
to her endocrine system? Its a precursor to diabetes, endocrine cancers,
etc. And she also has a thyroid problem too. Anyhow, its more common in
native americans but she still has it being white. They say the intensity
of darkness is affected by the change in hormones as they near puberty.
Luckily our doc is on the CDA Indian Reservation so was aware of the
condition. We are hoping that as she goes through puberty that it will
lighten. Its very dark for her skin color and very obvious. I've had to
enlighten beauticians and others who try to tell her that her NECKLACE is
turning her neck colors -excuse me??? How rude!! Anyhow, something to
consider if its more than just where your skin rubs.
— Shelly S.
May 3, 2003
The darkened skin condition that occurs with insulin resistance or
hyperinulinemia is called acanthosis nigricans. (Usually on the neck or
skin folds). If you do a search on Syndrome X or Metabolic Syndrome X and
do an advanced search to include skin or skin changes, you will come up
with some good articles about this. One article said the darkened skin
will lighten after weight is lost and diet is modified. Hyperinsulinemia
or insulin resistance is a precursor of diabetes. I had it, but not any
more!
— koogy
May 3, 2003
Perhaps I am confused. Is someone saying that the dark areas on my inner
thighs where my legs rub caused by some sort of imbalance in my system.
That doesnt make sense to me. That's sorta like saying a callus on my foot
is caused by an imbalance. It is caused by the constant rubbing isnt it?
Just like a callus is to the foot. I would think that as the situation
alleviated. No more rubbing. The skin would eventually improve in
appearance. What a great question. Thanks for asking it. Something I
will research further.
— Sarah H.
May 3, 2003
The dark skin is caused by skin rubbing together constantly. Once you have
lost enough weight so that there is space between your inner thighs you can
get a skin cream from the dermatologist that will help fade the dark area.
It won't do any good to get it s long as the inner thighs continue to rub
together--will just get/stay dark. But you can fade it with the skin cream
that fades dark spots.
— katherine A.
May 3, 2003
Sarah, we're talking about a condition that can occur that has nothing to
do with the skin rubbing together. I mentioned it because Donna mentioned
she had darkness in her neck and under her arms. I know for my little girl
its been a very embarrassing condition at times. People assume its
"dirt". I've had hairdressers tell her it was her necklace
turning her neck colors. I myself would practically rub her neck raw
trying to scrub the darkness "clean". That was until my doctor
sat with me and showed me medical books of endocrine cancer victims and
those with other endocrine disorders who had advanced forms of her
condition. It helps people who may be embarrassed by the condition to
realize that there is a condition out there and it has nothing to do with
any of their habits or their body parts rubbing.
— Shelly S.
May 3, 2003
I don't have personal experience with this, but my friend Angela
Flewelling, who had WLS a couple of years ago had this same problem. Her
most embarrasing spot was her neck. It went away after losing all her
weight. Check her profile on this site, and even send her an email asking
her about it. She would be happy to help out.
— Cheri M.
May 5, 2003
I also had this problem and am happy to report that it is gone. This is
caused by an internal problem and not friction - it's not like a callous.
I also have tried to scrub the problem away and shudder to think of the
damage I have done to my skin because of trying to "clean" these
areas.
— Melinda P.
May 5, 2003
Susan Kennedy's answer is correct. I work in an elementary school clinic.
Our staff screened all students as part of a research project.
— LaDonna S.
May 5, 2003
Okay....I had my yearly pap and asked my doc about this question......if
you have dark patches on the inside of your thighs ONLY then it is caused
by friction and weight and will eventually disappear with weightloss.If you
have dark patches elsewhere then it is something else.
— jennifer A.
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