Skin Conditions For Obese People

Obesity affects millions of people around the world. It is a growing problem that has resulted in a host of chronic illnesses and cosmetic concerns for people. Obesity leads to physiological changes that lead to numerous diseases such as high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and heart attacks. The condition also raises your risk of fatty liver, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, and certain cancers. Obesity causes many skin problems too. It worsens the appearance of your skin over time. This article provides information on some of the common skin conditions for obese people.

Acanthosis Nigricans From Insulin Resistance

A body with too much weight can develop insulin resistance. This is becasue of the foods we eat turn carbs into sugars such as glucose. Some of the sugars are used for energy, but the rest is stored. When food is a problem, too much of these sugars are stored and we buildup  tolerance to insulin. When this happens, Acanthosis Nigricans can form on your skin. These are dark velvet-like patches on the skin. These patches are quite common in areas where the skin folds and overlaps. Some of the most common places where acanthosis nigricans form are groin, armpits, knees, neck, and elbows. These patches take the color of grey, black or brown. Losing weight is the only solution to heal this condition.

On the other hand, creases and folds in the skin trap moisture. These areas become breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, and yeast. Jock itch and intertrigo are common rashes can result due to the actions of bacteria, fungus, and yeast. The skin becomes red color due to these rashes. The skin also can ooze and make the person prone to yeast infections. These areas have to be kept dry at all times. You can use absorbent powders and wear clothes that are absorbent to prevent this condition. You should see your doctor if the condition becomes worse with time. He or she may recommend an antifungal cream or similar treatments for the skin.

Stretch Marks Are Common For Obese People

Stretch marks can appear on your skin when weight is gained or lost quickly. They will start out pink and become red or purple with time. Itchiness can follow stretch marks. Although these marks can disappear on their own after some time, you should use an appropriate stretch mark cream to get rid of them if they don’t vanish on their own. On the other hand, bearing excess weight in your body is a strain on your legs. It can have an impact on the blood veins of your legs. This condition will lead to varicose veins over time. Varicose veins are hard to cure. They can cause pain and swelling in the legs. They are also a cosmetic concern for most people. You should lose excess weight and stay active to avoid such conditions.

Being Overweight Even Affects Your Feet

The strain of excess weight can easily move down to your feet. It can press the skin against the inside of your shoes. This results in painful corns on your feet. Losing weight is important to prevent corns. There are many other methods of treating corns. In fact, you need to talk to your doctor about this situation. Even if you are using home corn removal kits, a trip to the Podiatrist may prove very beneficial if walking is to painful. A corn can be burned off in just one session and the pain relief is just incredible. For me it was the best $80 ever spend.

On the other hand, insulin, androgens, and growth factor hormones are raised in overweight men. These are well-known risk factors for acne and similar conditions. Obese people have large skin folds. Hence, they sweat more due to their thick layers of subcutaneous fat. Obesity can slow ones lymphatic flow. It results in a condition known as lymphedema – which is the collection of lymphatic fluid in the subcutaneous tissues.

Overweight and obesity can also change the blood circulation of a person. This can result in obesity-related hypertension and microangiopathy. In fact, an obese individual will experience an increased blood circulation compared to a thin person. The collagen structure of the skin will change with obesity. Collagen is important for wound healing since it forms the structure of your skin. Obese people also have a lot of subcutaneous fat. This fat is made up of white adipose tissue. It provides insulation and serves as an energy store for the average individual. People who are obese have more subcutaneous fat compared to any other person out there.

Skin Tags Are More Common Among Overweight People

Skin tags while completely harmless are not the most prettiest asset anyone would want. They are a little bit of skin that basically hangs from your skin. Like a tag, hence the name skin tag. They are not a medical concern, but are more prevalent among heavier people. So if a skin tag grows too large and starts to bleed, look into ways to remove them. Australian tea tree oil is a quick and effective method.

Skin tags are the result of skin rubbing on skin basically. So as a obese person, there’s more chance of having lots of skin tags. This is due to the extra layers of skin of skin that cause friction when they rub together. The common areas for an overweight person to form skin tags is underneath the armpits as the skin is generally more loose and can rub on the side of the chest easier. On the neck just above the shoulders as the extra skin from the neck rubs all day long which can cause skin tags. For Women, it is not uncommon to grow skin tags underneath the breasts. As I previously mentioned, skin tags are pretty much harmless. But if they are in any way affecting your confidence, don’t be afraid to remove them yourself with over the counter removal kits.

Common Skin Problems For Obese People

There are numerous other skin conditions that are aggravated due to overweight and obesity. Some of these conditions include psoriasis, chronic venous insufficiency, lymphedema, skin infections including fungal infections, insulin resistance syndrome, cellulite, plantar hyperkeratosis, tophaceous gout, and hidradenitis suppurativa. A tyloma or a callus is a thickening of the skin that appears due to the repeated rubbing of the skin. Overweight people have a higher chance of developing this condition compared to slim people. These are some of the common skin problems for obese people.

In conclusion, obesity affects millions of people across the globe. It leads to numerous chronic illnesses as well as various skin conditions. This can worsen the appearance of your skin and result in a cosmetic concern for the patient. That is why it’s good to make a plan as soon as possible to safeguard your skin and overall health in the long run.