Ladies: I have these brown splotches under my arms and behind my head on my neck. They are brown and look like dry skin patches but I believe they are stretch marks. It looks like I have a dark, dirty rash but it isn't........Ive tried scrubbing them off and they are there to stay......DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE THEM AND HOW TO HIDE THEM OR GET RID OF THEM? Gross

My stretch marks never looked like brown, dry skin patches. For me, new stretch marks always looked like angry red lines, almost like tears in the skin, slightly raised. When they got older, they faded to silvery lines (still slightly raised and textured). I also never got stretch marks on my neck - only places where the skin really stretched (hips/boobs with puberty; stomach/butt with weight gain/loss).

Do you have diabetes? I heard those spots were a sign of diabetes or other insulin issues. Stretch marks are bumpy lines and that doesn't sound like what you have.

Edit - I got this from the American Diabetes Association

Acanthosis Nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans is a condition in which tan or brown raised areas appear on the sides of the neck, armpits, and groin. Sometimes they also occur on the hands, elbows, and knees.

Acanthosis nigricans usually strikes people who are very overweight. The best treatment is to lose weight. Some creams can help the spots look better.


Edit again! And I found this from the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology

Acanthosis Nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans is a disorder that may begin at any age. It causes velvety, light-brown-to-black, markings usually on the neck, under the arms or in the groin. Acanthosis nigricans is most often associated with obesity.

Eating too much of the wrong foods, especially starches and sugars, can cause insulin resistance. This will result in elevated insulin levels. Most patients with acanthosis nigricans have a higher insulin level than those of the same weight without acanthosis nigricans. Elevated levels of insulin in most cases probably cause acanthosis nigricans. The elevated insulin levels in the body activates insulin receptors in the skin, forcing it to grow abnormally. Reducing the circulating insulin by dieting or medication can lead to improvement of the skin problem.

If you don't think you have diabetes or don't know, I'd recommend that you go to your doctor asap.

OMGosh, I will definately look into that! Thanks Nelie!

Regardless, best bet go to a doctor, but I had something like this a few years ago that was a fungal infection, same areas.

Oh my, could be diabetes, could be fungal infection. How awful. I will tell my doc next time I go. I have had these for a while anyway. Thanks for your response!

I would emphasize that you make an appointment asap. It could be nothing but if it is something you'd want to have it diagnosed and treated before you encounter further complications

Nelie hit it right on the head (I used to work for a Kidney Dr... alot of the diabetic patients had this)..

It is a symptom (sign) of insulin resistance..

My daughter was seeing a doctor last year because of her weight. She had darker patches on her neck (I thought it was from the sun-she tans very easy). The doctor said he sees this on kids who have higher insulin levels.

He tested her and sure enough she had that problem. Thank goodness it was not diabetes. He said he can always tell if the children are eating healthy because the neck is a 'tale-tale' sign. As soon as I cut out sugar, white bread, noodles etc...and replaced those with 100% whole wheat the dark patches went away.

See your doc asap.

I have a dark brown patch on my neck near a bunch of freckles that I thought was from sunburn. I haven't thought much about it but it is only about 4-5 years old or so and I did develop GD with ds, who is 5, and currently have diabetes. You learn something new every day! Thanks ladies.

Woman with PCOS (even without type II diabetes) have issues with these as well.