Black skin on the child's neck and armpits as black as ever, suspected of black spiny cytopenia

Apr 22, 2025

Black skin on the child's neck and armpits as black as ever, suspected of black spiny cytopenia
Black spiny cytopenia occurs mainly in the neck, armpit, groin, etc. that the skin comes into contact with.



If the area where the skin folds, such as the armpits, necks, and groins of growing adolescents, turns black as if they haven't pushed dirt, you should suspect melanocytosis. In particular, if you are obese, you should visit a specialist for an accurate diagnosis.

Black spiny cytopenia occurs mainly in areas where the skin comes into contact. In the beginning, brown or gray pigments are deposited on the folded skin area, and then the skin becomes thicker, resulting in skin wrinkles. In some cases, the skin becomes lumpy in the shape of a mantis, and black mushrooms and rat milk are formed.

Among the various complications caused by obesity, insulin resistance, which has poor insulin function, is the cause of melanocytosis. If you have melanocytosis, you should be aware that obesity is progressing to diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome.




In addition, in the case of these adolescents, metabolic abnormalities related fatty liver disease (MASLD), which was previously called non-alcoholic fatty liver, may be present together, so evaluation and treatment are necessary.

The most effective treatment for melanocytosis is weight loss. When complications caused by metabolic syndrome or obesity are improved through weight loss, most of the symptoms disappear naturally.

Professor Kim Do-hyun of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital advised, `Since health care in adolescence determines lifelong health, if you have symptoms of turning the skin black, you should visit a specialist to check for diseases such as obesity or fatty liver.'




In particular, we should be wary of the myth that fat goes to height when we are young and actively treat obesity"It is important for the family to work together because in addition to drug treatment, it can be improved with eating habits, lifestyle improvements, and appropriate exercise."

Black skin on the child's neck and armpits as black as ever, suspected of black spiny cytopenia
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.