Darker armpits are common in both men and women. Although this is rarely treated, it can serve as a warning from the body, warning of some serious health problems. Therefore, it is best to be aware and consult a doctor who can determine what is causing the darker color.
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dark armpits
Armpits can become darkened due to irritation, which can be caused by the use of deodorants that cause dryness, friction of the blades against the skin, the aggression caused by wax during depilation, or even a more serious systemic problem.
If it is something more serious, pay attention to see if it is not peripheral insulin resistance, thus indicating a condition of diabetes. In this case, in addition to the color, there is also a thickening of the skin.
The treatment for this case is weight loss and diabetes control. There are also topical treatments, using bleaching acids and lasers, which can also be used to treat other causes of dark underarms.
Tips that can improve
- Seek to use new blades to shave (reuse increases the chance of folliculitis);
- Always moisturize after showering and before using deodorant as well (avoids excessive dryness and, consequently, darkening);
- Look for a doctor if it's indicative of a health problem!
Health issues more related to dark underarms
- Type 2 diabetes
As expected, acanthosis pigmentosa is very common in people who are overweight and obese, and the problem can make patients more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes.
Furthermore, this dark pigmentation in the armpits and elsewhere on the body is known to be a red flag for a risk of type 2 diabetes.
- insulin resistance
Insulin resistance, a condition that can also lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, is another important reason to pay attention to this type of hyperpigmentation and thickening in body folds.
People with insulin resistance don't process sugar (glucose) properly, so it doesn't get into the muscles or liver properly, where it ends up being turned into energy. This is why it is normally stored in the blood, altering the levels and leading to what is called pre-diabetes.
- cancerous tumors
In some cases, dark pigmentation can also alert you to a more serious problem, such as a tumor, so it is always essential to seek medical advice to help detect any problem in your body.
Among the cancerous tumors most associated with dark underarms are those tumors that are detected in organs such as the colon, stomach or liver (they are the most prominent).
