The neck looks dirty, but that could be a warning signal from your body

A dirty neck is a phenomenon that can raise health concerns. While the appearance of the neck is usually darker than the rest of the body, it is harmless, excessive pigmentation can be a warning signal your body is sending out. What is a dirty neck, what are the causes of darkening of the skin and how can you get rid of this ailment?

1. A seemingly dirty neck may be the result of a disease
2. Sometimes, darkening skin on the neck and other parts of the body can signal the development of cancer
3. An effective way to effectively get rid of the dirty neck phenomenon is to eliminate the factor that causes discoloration.
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage.

All skin changes should be consulted with a doctor. While most are not serious or contagious, some cases may be a sign of a medical condition that requires treatment. An example of such a situation is the so-called dirty neck. It is dark skin that gives the impression of being unwashed and neglected, which is why people struggling with this problem often get into complexes or embarrassment.

How is a neck that looks dirty?

The main manifestation of the so-called dirty neck is the phenomenon of darkening of the skin. The most common lesions are the neck, but in some cases eye-catching spots may appear elsewhere, e.g. under the armpits. In addition to the darkening color, other disturbing symptoms may appear on the skin, such as unsightly thickenings or troublesome itching.

In fact, dark spots on the neck are not necessarily the result of poor hygiene. What could be the cause of a dirty neck?

Where does a dirty neck come from? Common causes

This uncomfortable ailment has a different name dark keratosis (Acanthosis nigricans)which appears as one of the symptoms of insulin resistance, diabetes or PCOS, i.e. polycystic ovary syndrome. Excessive pigmentation is very common in people struggling with obesity. Actinic keratosis isn’t always just a sign of insulin problems. Sometimes darkening skin on the neck and other parts of the body (e.g. spots under the arms or around the groin) may signal the development of the disease, e.g .:

1. hormonal disorders;
2. Cushing’s disease;
3. neoplastic disease.

Another cause of black neck may be excessive skin pigmentation, which is the result of taking certain medications, e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or contraceptives. Then, unusual discoloration and dark, unsightly spots may appear not only on the neck, but also in other places on the body. The darkening of the skin, which is the result of taking medications, has various shades – starting from dark brown, ending with blue or black.

1. Read also: The doctor calls: we should wash only three parts of the body every day

Quite logically, the reason for the formation of dark spots on the neck is poor hygiene. Skin is neglected when sweat, dust, bacteria and sebum accumulate on it. In this case, it is enough to take care of daily hygiene and pay attention to the selection of the right products for washing the body. One of the most recommended is gray soap.

Another possible explanation for the darkening skin is congenital dyskeratosis (dyskeratosis congenita) – an extremely rare form of bone marrow failure that manifests itself, among others, in keratosis (leukoplakia) and abnormal skin pigmentation.

How can I get rid of discoloration that gives the impression of dirty skin on the neck?

Taking into account the fact that one of the most numerous groups of patients struggling with this problem are people suffering from insulin resistance, sometimes a sufficient solution is to take care of the diet and lose extra kilos, and at the same time, fat that is harmful to health.

If dark discoloration on the neck does not give up, try home remedies to remove them, for example:

1. rubbing the affected areas with lemon juice;
2. the use of oatmeal peeling;
3. smearing stains with natural yogurt, combined with lemon juice;
4. a mask of mashed banana and a little olive oil.  

If home remedies fail, it is worth contacting a doctor’s office for help. The solution recommended by dermatologists to get rid of stains resembling a dirty neck is the use of professional methods, including: taking special medications, using specialized ointments (e.g. retinoids) and performing a laser treatment.