Skin Disorders Related to Obesity

We all know that major health diseases are associated with obesity. Aside from this, obesity can also be related to a number of skin problems. The too much fats in the body will result in extra folds of skin that may prove to be difficult to reach or even clean properly. These folds will produce a warm, moist environment that is ideal for many types of bacteria and fungi. This is probably the reason why most of the obese people have uneven skin. Also, obesity can also lead to insulin resistance and insufficiency of the veins, which also causes other skin conditions.

This article will discuss some of the skin conditions that obese people may suffer. One of them is Acanthosis Nigricans, a skin disorder that causes brown or black markings on the skin. These markings are usually present in the groin, armpits or neck area. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology said that this type of condition is often related to obesity or to elevated insulin levels, which often occurs to obese.

Another skin problem that is linked to obesity is the Folliculitis or also known as barber’s itch. This is characterized as an infection of the hair follicles and small whiteheads around one or more of the skin’s hair follicles are noticeable. This condition is prevalent to obese people because the extra weight puts added pressure on the hair follicles, which can damage them and allow infection to occur.

Skin tag is also a skin disorder that obese people must be careful of. This is a lump that stick out and may be connected to the skin with a narrow stock. Skin tags are usually benign and do not cause any pain. They are mostly present in overweight people because the weight causes friction between the affected areas of the skin. Cellulitis, on the other hand, is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. Unlike skin tags, cellulitis can cause pain and tenderness in the affected area.

Those who suffer from this skin disorder can also experience chills, shaking, muscle aches and sweating. Obese people are more prone to this disorder because it can be difficult for someone who is very overweight to properly wash between folds of the skin.

Another is stasis dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin because of the blood’s poor circulation. This disorder is usually present in the lower legs and is caused by different conditions that slow down the return of fluid from the feet to the heart. And of course, everyone knows what varicose veins are. They usually occur on the inside of the legs and back of the calves. Once the valves of the vein are weak, the blood leaks back into the vein and collects in a pool. The pooling of the blood in the vein causes the vein to enlarge hence varicose veins are prevalent. Because obesity can result to the weakening of the valves, it is also related to the development of varicose veins.

So, if you are obese, then it is high time to lose weight as quickly as possible in order to prevent any of the skin disorders mentioned.