'Choco na batok' could be symptom of underlying medical condition
We've all heard the taunt "choco na batok" thrown at someone who as an abnormally dark nape.
But why does the skin on the nape go dark?
Dermatologist Dr. Jean Marquez shares some insight on this condition.
"Unang-una, 'yung iba nangingitim ang batok commonly dahil nai-irritate dito sa mga collar or doon sa mga tags, so kinakamot, lalo na kung sensitive ang skin.
“Ang ginagawa pinapaputi, mino-mositurize.
“And then, siyempre, you have to prevent what's causing it, so tatanggalin 'yung mga tags," she explains.
However, she also warns that the darkening of the nape might not be just skin-deep.
It could also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
"Pero sa iba naman, may tinatawag na acanthosis nigricans.
“'Yan 'yung sa medyo mga bata or matanda medyo nagge-gain ng weight, nagkakaroon ng tinatawag na insulin resistance.
“Pwedeng may type 2 diabetes or minsan it's also common dito sa mga hypothyroid or may mga PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
“Ang nangyayari kasi, 'yung hormones nagko-cause ng pangangapal ng skin, pangingitim.
“Tapos 'pag hinawakan mo 'yung batok parang velvelty, parang madulas. 'Yan 'yung tinatawag na acanthosis," she explains.
According to the Mayo Clinic, acanthosis nigricans can also affect the armpits and groin.
Aside from insulin resistance and hormonal disorders, it can also be caused by certain drugs and supplements like high-dose niacin, birth control pills, prednisone and other corticosteroids.
Dr. Marquez recommends finding out and treating the medical condition first instead of just trying to lighten the skin on the nape.
"We do not promote just to lighten na very cosmetic ang treatment.
“Dapat iti-treat natin 'yung medial condition. That's what is important later on.
“The skin is actually just a manifestation of what's going on in the body.
“It can just be one of the symptoms of what's really going on.
“Dapat po talaga, magpatingin sa inyong dermatologist and of course kung merong kaabitat na kundisyon, magpatingin din po sa kanilang mga internal medicine," she explains.
Watch Dr. Marquez answer other frequently asked questions about the skin in this feature from Pinoy MD:
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